ARVENIER
Can you shower with jewellery on? Solid gold, platinum and stainless steel can usually handle it, but soap and shampoo leave a dulling film, so most pieces still look better if removed. Take off gold-plated and costume jewellery, sterling silver, pearls, porous stones, glued stones, leather and anything on elastic before showering, and check a watch's water resistance first.
What does showering do to jewellery?
Water itself is rarely the problem. Soap, shampoo, conditioner and body wash leave a residue that dulls metal and stones, and hard water leaves mineral spots. Hot water and steam speed up wear on plating and weaken glue and elastic, and moisture trapped under rings can irritate the skin.
Which materials can handle the shower?
- Stainless steel and titanium: resist water and rust; rinse off soap and dry.
- Solid gold and platinum: not harmed by water, but soap dulls stones and shine.
- Sterling silver: water and sulphur in some products speed up tarnish; take it off.
- Gold-plated and costume jewellery: plating wears faster; take it off.
- Pearls, opal, turquoise and other porous stones: can absorb water and products; remove.
- Glued rhinestones and crystals: glue weakens; remove.
- Leather, cord and elastic: stretch, stiffen or rot with repeated wetting; remove.
What about watches?
Check the water resistance rating. Watches rated at 30 m are splash-resistant only and should come off. Even watches rated at 50–100 m are better kept out of hot showers, because heat and soap age the seals over time. Leather straps should always stay dry.
If you do shower with jewellery
- Use lukewarm rather than hot water.
- Rinse pieces with clean water at the end to remove soap residue.
- Dry everything, including the skin under rings, with a soft towel.
- Clean pieces with mild soap and a soft brush every couple of weeks.
Building a habit that protects jewellery
Keep a small dish in a dry spot outside the bathroom and take jewellery off before you go in. Put it back on only after your skin is dry and lotion has absorbed. This one habit does more to keep jewellery looking new than any cleaning product.
Swimming pools, hot tubs and the sea
Chlorine and salt water are harsher than shower water. Chlorine can discolour and weaken some metals and stones, and salt water speeds up corrosion of plated pieces. Take jewellery off before pools, hot tubs and the beach, or wear only stainless steel and titanium, and rinse them in fresh water afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Can I shower with stainless steel jewellery?
Yes, it will not rust, but rinse off soap and dry it to keep it shiny.
Can gold-plated jewellery get wet?
Occasional splashes are fine, but regular showering wears the plating faster. Take it off.
Does shower water tarnish silver?
Water and some products speed up silver tarnish, so it is best to remove sterling silver before showering.