There are a lot of pros to gold jewelry, one being that it is durable and tarnish-proof. However, you may wonder if gold is also waterproof. If it is, can you wear gold in the shower? Well, we had the same question and decided to find the answer to if you can wear gold in the shower.
Real gold, meaning 9k, 14k, or 18k solid gold, is waterproof. You can, therefore, wear it in the shower. However, because the gold may look dull, and soap can build up in the links of your gold jewelry, we don’t advise wearing gold in the shower. You also can’t shower with gold-plated jewelry.
Although gold jewelry is waterproof, you must still take care of it to prevent it from looking dull and old. We will discuss the difference between solid gold and gold-plated or filled jewelry regarding its waterproofness. We’ll also consider caring for gold jewelry to ensure it lasts long and stays beautiful.
Is Gold Jewelry Waterproof?
There are different types of gold jewelry, and not all of them have the same characteristics. For example, solid gold jewelry comes in 9k, 14k, and 18k. This jewelry is made from gold mixed with some alloys to make it harder and more pliable, as pure gold is too soft to shape.
However, this gold is solid gold jewelry and is the best quality and most expensive gold jewelry you can find. Solid gold jewelry can be melted and reused. It is also scratch resistant and waterproof. Therefore, you can shower with solid gold jewelry if you want to.
Gold-plated or vermeil jewelry is made from sterling silver and other metals and has a thin layer of gold on the outside. The gold is plated onto the other metal through electroplating. Gold-plated jewelry is substantially cheaper than solid gold jewelry. Unfortunately, gold-plated jewelry is also more likely to tarnish.
Eventually, the gold layer will rub off and expose the base metal. Therefore, you mustn’t wear gold-plated jewelry when it is likely to wear down faster. In addition, gold-plated jewelry is not waterproof, so you cannot shower with it.
Gold-filled jewelry is also made of cheaper base metal with a thicker layer of gold bonded to the surface. This bonding happens through a chemical process, making gold-filled jewelry more scratch-resistant than gold-plated jewelry. However, the gold layer will also rub off gold-filled jewelry, exposing the inner layers. Therefore, we don’t recommend showering with gold-filled jewelry.
The only type of jewelry you can safely shower with is solid gold jewelry, as the gold cannot flake off or become damaged from the water. Gold-plated and gold-filled jewelry is not waterproof; showering with it will damage the jewelry. However, does this mean that you should shower with solid gold jewelry? Or are there disadvantages to doing so?
Can You Damage Gold Jewelry By Showering With It?
Even though solid gold jewelry is waterproof, we still don’t recommend wearing it in the shower. While you cannot strictly damage the gold by doing so, other considerations might stop you from wearing gold jewelry in the shower.
The first problem with wearing gold jewelry in the shower is that soap and other products can cause buildup on the surface and in the links of the gold jewelry. This can cause the jewelry to become dirty and look dull. In addition, if soap and debris build up in the links of a gold chain or bracelet, the jewelry may struggle to open and close, or the clasps can break.
The second problem with wearing gold jewelry in the shower is that the jewelry can become dull or look dirty. This is also because of the soap and product buildup on the surface of the gold. In addition, if your water is chemically treated, the chemicals may react with the alloys in the gold, causing it to look dirty.
Therefore, we don’t recommend showering with gold jewelry. Even if the gold is waterproof and won’t be damaged from getting wet, the jewelry will still lose its shine if you shower with it often. Fortunately, you can polish gold jewelry to clean it and remove any product buildup if you wear it in the shower.
Now you might wonder how you clean and polish gold jewelry. How do you care for gold jewelry to ensure it lasts as long as possible?
How To Take Care Of Gold Jewelry
To best take care of your gold jewelry, we recommend removing it before taking a shower or getting in a hot tub or pool. The chemicals in a pool or hot tub may tarnish your gold jewelry over time and will shorten its lifespan and beauty.
If you wear your gold jewelry every day or regularly, you’ll notice that the jewelry starts to fade after some time. In addition, products like sunscreen, lotion, or soap will build up on the jewelry’s surface, causing it to look faded and dirty.
Fortunately, because gold is tarnish-proof, you can clean it in many ways without scratching the gold or harming the jewelry. One way you can clean gold jewelry is to use a soft rag and dish soap or toothpaste. Apply the toothpaste to the jewelry’s surface and wait a few minutes before using the rag to remove the toothpaste and polish the surface.
Another product you can use is baking soda and vinegar. Use the baking soda and vinegar to make a paste and apply it to the gold jewelry. Once the paste has dried, use a soft rag to remove the paste and polish the gold jewelry.
You can also choose to have your gold jewelry professionally cleaned. Although this costs some money, it is recommended that you do so every once in a while (such as every five years) to ensure the gold retains its beautiful shine and color.
By cleaning your gold jewelry regularly and keeping it away from harsh chemicals and damaging products, you can ensure that your gold jewelry lasts a lifetime.
Conclusion
Solid gold jewelry is waterproof, while gold-plated and gold-filled jewelry is not. Therefore, you can wear solid gold jewelry in the shower. However, we don’t recommend showering with gold jewelry, as the soap and other products can cause the surface of the gold to look dull and dirty.
You can clean gold jewelry with a soft rag, toothpaste, dish soap, baking soda, and vinegar. We also recommend having your gold jewelry professionally every five years or so to ensure it is clean and retains its beautiful color and shine.
