Can You Shower With Gold-Plated Jewelry?
by FIUNA
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You can wear it all day, but you should not shower in it. Water on its own will not destroy a piece in one go, but soap, shampoo, chlorine, salt and hot water wear gold plating faster and dull silver. Here is what happens and how to protect your jewelry.
The short answer
Take gold-plated jewelry off before showering, bathing, swimming and sport. Put it on last, after perfume, creams and hairspray.
What water and cosmetics do
- Soap and shampoo leave a film that makes metal look dull and can work into small details.
- Chlorine in pools and hot tubs is aggressive to plating and to silver.
- Salt water and sand rub and corrode surfaces.
- Perfume, lotions and creams contain alcohols and oils that speed up wear and tarnish.
- Sweat is slightly acidic and wears plating where the piece sits on the skin.
Is sterling silver different?
Sterling silver itself does not dissolve in water, but moisture and chemicals make it tarnish faster. Many silver pieces, including FIUNA silver pieces, also have a rhodium plating that wears with friction. So the same rule applies: keep it dry.
When to take your jewelry off
- Showering, bathing, swimming, sauna
- Sport and the gym
- Cleaning and washing dishes
- Applying creams, sunscreen, perfume or hairspray
- Sleeping
It got wet. What now?
Pat it dry right away with a soft cloth and let it air-dry completely before storing it. If it looks dull, wipe it with a dry polishing cloth. Read how to clean sterling silver jewelry.
A note on durability
Gold plating is a thin layer and wears naturally with use. Contact with water and cosmetics speeds this up, which is why we cannot guarantee how long plating lasts. Your statutory warranty rights are not affected. Want to understand the different gold finishes? Read gold plated vs vermeil vs gold filled.
