Waterproof jewellery: Fact or fiction?
It seems as though every advertisement I see lately is for a different jewellery company claiming to be waterproof & dunking their jewellery in water or dish soap as a test to prove its durability. Having worked in the jewellery industry for some 15+ years, I find this perplexing at best.
If you’ve read the Jewellery Care page on our website you already know that I don’t recommend wearing your jewellery in any kind of water. No pools, beaches, lakes, hot tubs, showers or saunas!
So... are they wrong?
It’s not that simple!
To begin with, soaking jewellery in water is unlikely to do much of anything at all. This experiment is not a good indication of quality. In fact, when jewellery is cleaned the process almost always involves water. But wait, you said not to put jewellery in water! Well, yes!
Water is seldom JUST water. Wearing your jewellery into various wet environments isn’t that straightforward. Pools and hot tubs are usually heavily chlorinated. The ocean is salty. The beach is sandy. The shower is soapy. Saunas are sweaty! Even tap water can be high in mineral content. Any combination of those things can cause a build-up of minerals, dirt & chemicals on your jewellery. This build-up can damage or tarnish the metal. Jewellery isn't invincible! The harder you are on your jewellery, the more likely you are to damage it. Of course, gold and platinum are less reactive (non-tarnishing) than most other metals but I would absolutely tell you the same thing about your gold engagement ring! If you treat your jewellery with care it will last longer and look better, it’s as simple as that.
Jewellery is made from all sorts of different materials and each one of those materials reacts differently to their environment. So the first thing you need to know is what your jewellery is made of! That can be where things get a bit tricky. Not everywhere you shop will tell you exactly what things are made of or how to care for them. This is where I think people get misled. Fast fashion doesn’t just apply to clothes!
Lots of what we call "costume" jewellery is made from base metals. A great example of this is copper. You might be familiar with a bright shiny penny compared to an older brown one. That happens because copper reacts to oxygen in the air and oxidizes. But what makes this even more complicated is that copper is in… well a lot of jewellery. Brass? It’s got copper in it. Silver? Usually some copper! Gold? Sometimes! And that’s just an example of one particular metal that can react to oxygen, sweat and various other chemicals. One of the dirtiest pieces of jewellery I have ever seen was a sterling silver bracelet that was worn in a hot tub. The whole thing had turned a dull dark brown. It took hours of work to get it clean & shiny.
These self-proclaimed "waterproof" brands seem to be primarily plated stainless steel. Plating is a very common way to get the metal colours we know and love for a much lower cost. I totally understand wanting inexpensive jewellery! That being said, there are drawbacks. A stainless steel piece of jewellery will likely be difficult (or impossible) to repair or resize. Given how inexpensive these products often are it is likely that instead of repair, items are simply discarded, contributing to overconsumption. As a jeweller, I'd rather be able to repair & reimagine a piece and keep it for decades. As someone who tries to be eco-conscious, I'm cautious about what I buy!
So, should you wear your jewellery in water?
That’s up to you! Water (probably) won't make your jewellery explode. As a bit of a rule-breaker myself, I do wear some rings & bracelets every day. I also occasionally buy costume jewellery! What is important is knowing the risks and following the care guides from whoever makes the jewellery. Wearing things all the time in will likely wear them down and lead to more necessary cleanings or repairs. Jewellery isn't invincible. It requires maintenance and upkeep. Ultimately it’s just about staying informed and doing what you're comfortable with!
Verdict?
Water isn't really the issue here. People seem to think jewellery should be invincible. Unfortunately, it just isn't! If you want your jewellery to last a lifetime, buy quality investment pieces in gold or silver that a jeweller can help you maintain & repair. Otherwise, buy what you like and treasure it while you have it. Repair what you can & do your best to recycle your jewellery graveyard into new pieces or cute art projects!
Progress over perfection!