The UV-tracking Gem made me rethink how sunlight affects my health, not just my appearance
News Source
β’2026-11-07T12:00:00-05:00
π° What Happened
A writer for The Verge wore a UV-tracking necklace called Gem for several months. It is made by a company called The90 and costs $249, though it is on sale for $149. The pendant has a sensor that measures UVA and UVB rays separately.
While sitting under a patio umbrella in Los Angeles, she got an alert that her UV exposure was high. Umbrellas block direct sun but not light bouncing off nearby surfaces. She later learned a medication made her more sensitive to heat.
The device did not diagnose anything. But it pushed her to ask questions and change habits, like staying out of the sun at peak hours and drinking more water.
π The Backstory
Weather apps give a general UV forecast for a whole city. A wearable sensor measures what your own skin is getting, which can be very different. Shade, clouds and reflections all change the dose.
Skin cancer is common in Australia, and UV damage builds up over years. Doctors say sunburn and tanning both raise the risk, even for people with darker skin.
π― Why It Matters
UV damage is invisible until years later. A small sensor can make people notice how much sun they get and take shade and sunscreen more seriously.
A writer for The Verge wore a UV-tracking necklace called Gem for several months. It is made by a company called The90 and costs $249, though it is on sale for $149. The pendant has a sensor that measures UVA and UVB rays separately.
While sitting under a patio umbrella in Los Angeles, she got an alert that her UV exposure was high. Umbrellas block direct sun but not light bouncing off nearby surfaces. She later learned a medication made her more sensitive to heat.
The device did not diagnose anything. But it pushed her to ask questions and change habits, like staying out of the sun at peak hours and drinking more water.
Weather apps give a general UV forecast for a whole city. A wearable sensor measures what your own skin is getting, which can be very different. Shade, clouds and reflections all change the dose.
Skin cancer is common in Australia, and UV damage builds up over years. Doctors say sunburn and tanning both raise the risk, even for people with darker skin.
UV damage is invisible until years later. A small sensor can make people notice how much sun they get and take shade and sunscreen more seriously.