Why is My Gold Jewelry Cracking? Causes & Prevention

Question
QUESTION: Recently I had two rings crack into pieces. I was swimming in a salt water pool on a cruise ship at the time, but Not sure if that is a factor. One of the rings is about 40 years old but was purchased new. I think it was 14 kt. It was worn very thin and I noticed while swimming that a portion of it was gone. Then later the same day, I noticed a stone was missing from another ring. This ring was a new custom made casted ring. I also believe it was 14 kt but not sure. When I noticed the stone missing I pulled the ring off and it broke into three pieces in my hand. What caused this?

ANSWER: Cindi,
Chlorine stress cracking is a chemical reaction between gold jewelry and chlorine. Chlorine dissolves the alloys found in white and yellow gold and can cause vintage as well as new pieces of jewelry to break. The pool on the cruise ship probably had a high level of chlorine as most public  pools do. I don't recommend wearing any jewelry in them.
Chris

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much for your reply.  I had no idea, but will definitely keep that info in mind when swimming in the future.  I was told that the pool is a salt water pool, so does it still contain chlorine?

Answer
Yes NaCl (salt) is sodium & chlorine it ts broken down in a salt water pool & still can affect jewelery, it's just not as hard on the body as chemical chlorine, and not as much is needed in a salt water pool. I wouldn't encourage you to wear jewelry there or in the ocean either.
all the best.
chris