Gold is a noble metal that can be worn every day without losing its shine. But a pressing question on most people’s minds is: can you shower with gold jewelry? In this article, we will provide a straight answer to this question that’s commonly shared by many people and share with you some other things you need to know about gold jewelry getting wet.
Does Shower Water Damage Gold Jewelry?
Firstly, it’s important that you know that shower water itself doesn’t cause direct damage to your gold jewelry. So, if you are wondering, is gold jewelry waterproof? The absolute answer is YES.
But we don’t use only water when we are in the shower. Other hygiene substances, like soap, shampoo, body wash, and many others come into the mix. These are the major things that can damage your jewelry. They contain harsh chemicals that bleach your gold jewelry. Even the natural oils you’re washing off your skin could transfer to your gold jewelry and make it look dull.
The good thing, however, is that: Showering with your gold jewelry won’t ruin it overnight. But repeated exposure to the various hygiene substances you use, can make the jewelry lose its shine and luster very fast.
Can You Shower with Gold Jewelry?
YES, but it depends on the type and quality. Options like 14K, 18K, and higher karats gold can be worn in the shower because they contain more pure gold, which makes them able to handle water exposure better.
But an option like gold-plated jewelry, is very vulnerable. It has a thin gold layer that easily wears off when in contact with water. In contrast, higher grades like gold vermeil and gold-filled have thicker gold layers and are generally safe to wear in the shower.
So, when you ask, can you wear gold in the shower? It depends on type of gold and the quality of its composition.
Can You Shower with Real Gold?
A real gold jewelry is basically any piece of jewelry that contains a significant amount of pure gold. This type of jewelry doesn’t rust or corrode in water, making it safe to wear in the shower. However, don’t forget that buildups from soap and other hygiene substances can affect its appearance in the long-run.
Ultimately, to maintain your real gold jewelry tarnish resistance, it’s best to remove it before showering.
Can You Shower with 10K/14K/18K Gold?
Yes. All can be worn in the shower, but higher karat gold is softer but more resistant to chemical reactions in water. Let’s discuss them one after the other.
Can you shower with 10K gold? Yes, 10K gold jewelry contains 41.7% pure gold and 58.3% alloy metals, which makes it durable but also more prone to dulling over time. Occasional contact with water is fine, but for long-term appearance, it’s better to take it off before showering.
Can you shower with 14K gold? YES. 14K gold jewelry contains 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% alloy metals, offering a balance of strength and resistance for shower.
Can you shower with 18K gold? YES. 18K gold jewelry contains 75% pure gold and 25% alloy metals. Even though it’s softer because of the extremely high gold, it is more resistant to chemical reactions in water.
Can You Shower with Gold-Plated Jewelry?
Standard gold-plated jewelry is composed of a thin layer of gold (typically 0.03-0.06 microns thick) coated over a base metal such as brass or copper. This gold jewelry type is not suitable for showering. Water, soap, and daily friction can quickly wear it down, leading to fading and discoloration. To keep your jewelry looking bright and lasting longer, it’s best to remove it before showering. Custom gold-plated jewelry can be made with a thicker gold layer, offering better durability and slightly improved resistance to moisture
Can You Shower with Gold Vermeil Jewelry?
Compared with gold-plated jewelry, gold vermeil is composed of a thicker layer of gold (at least 2.5 microns) coated over a sterling silver base. Firstly, the base metal is tougher and can resist water damage better. Also, the gold layer is thicker, meaning it won’t quickly wear off. So, YES—you can shower with your custom gold vermeil jewelry. However, frequent contact with water and chemicals will still wear it down over time.
Can You Shower with Gold-Filled Jewelry?
Gold-filled jewelry is the most reliable when compared with gold-plated and gold vermeil. It’s composed of a thicker gold layer coated over a brass base metal. For a jewelry to be considered “gold-filled,” the gold layer must make up at least 5% of the jewelry’s total weight, and it is pressure-bonded to the base metal to make the jewelry super-resistant to damages.
So, YES—you can shower with your custom gold-filled jewelry. But just like others, you have to constantly care for and maintain the jewelry to make it last long.
When Should You Avoid Showering with Gold Jewelry?
Here are situations where you should remove your gold jewelry:
- Swimming Pools: They are usually treated with chlorine, which is a harsh chemical that can weaken alloy metals in gold jewelry.
- Hot Tubs and Spas: Frequently use high heat and chemicals, which are two major elements that accelerate metal reactions and can dull your gold jewelry surface.
- Frequent or Long Exposure: Constant or extended contact with water, soap, and minerals increases tarnishing and speeds up discoloration.
- Repeated Use: Wearing your gold jewelry all the time (especially delicate or gold-plated pieces) exposes them to environmental elements that can affect their shine.
Best Practices to Protect Gold Jewelry in the Shower
Follow these simple steps to protect your gold jewelry in the shower and make it last long:
- Remove your jewelry before entering the bathroom to shower.
- Avoid contact with harsh cleaning products, whether soaps, shampoos, or chemicals.
- Rinse your jewelry in clean, running water after showering.
- Dry it with a soft, clean cloth and store in an airtight pouch.
Conclusion
To wrap things up, let’s go back to the initial question: can you shower with gold jewelry? The answer is YES, but whether you should, depends on the type and quality of the jewelry.
The ultimate advice is that you get your gold jewelry from a verified gold jewelry manufacturer in order to be certain that it is high-quality and won’t damage if worn in the shower.
