School's out, camp is on, and we're ready to relax! Well, for the most part: jewelry design never really takes a break, but your jewelry should and the summer months are a great opportunity to take stock of what you have, clean and check your favorite pieces, and think through future projects you may see for yourself. Here are our suggestions for getting your jewelry collection in tip-top shape for summer:

1. Consider taking a more minimalist approach for the season.

While true fine jewelry can withstand plenty of exposure to sunscreen, sand, and salt water, we don't exactly recommend wearing your finest jewels to the beach. You'll inevitably get them clogged with product and could run the risk of losing a treasure in the waves. Also, your hands tend to swell in the summer so it might be more comfortable to take off some of these items and pursue a more simplistic look for the season. Now is a great opportunity to get your pieces cleaned and professionally checked so that you know they'll be in perfect shape when you're ready to wear them again.

2. Sort and take stock of your collection.

Lay out your collection and think about whether you're getting the best use from it. Those pieces that were never quite right - put them in a pile and think about whether you might want to redesign them. Check if anything is loose or doesn't fit well, and consider making an appointment to get them into shape. Now is also a great opportunity to double-check whether your appraisals should be updated for anything. We generally recommend revisiting them every 10 years or so.

3) Determine your collection "gaps." 

Are you always on the search for the perfect pair of diamond hoops? Do you envision a diamond tennis bracelet in your future? First, think about whether you have existing pieces that could be repurposed for these "gaps." We're always happy to talk through options and help you decide what would be worth redesigning, or provide suggestions for entirely newly-sourced ideas. The summer months provide a great opportunity for mental breathing room to think through these big purchases so that you don't find yourself scrambling come the holiday season.