Is Gold Jewelry Waterproof? – There are many people that like to wear jewelry 24/7. In other words, they want to wear necklaces to the beach, shower with their bracelet on their wrist and even do the dishes with their favorite rings on. But, the big question is; is gold jewelry waterproof and should really be wearing them all the time?
Well, the answer to this question is not as straightforward as you would think. So, let’s investigate and find out whether you should be wearing gold jewelry around water.
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Can Gold Jewelry Be Exposed to Water?
The answer to this question is going to depend on the number of karats contained in your gold jewelry. For example, if you have pure yellow gold, which is 24 karats, this is not going to be harmed by water. While we would not want to go as far as to say that it is waterproof, the water itself is not going to cause damage.
However, if you have gold jewelry that is low in karats, this means that it contains other metals. This is when you need to watch with exposure to water. Other metals can tarnish when they get wet, whether this is in the shower or at the beach. So, you need to be mindful of the number of karats you are wearing.
For example, say you have been shopping at Queen of Hearts. They offer 22-karat gold jewelry, which means that it contains a high percentage of gold, as well as some other metals. They have extraordinary styles when it comes to bracelets, necklaces and rings, which might make you want to wear them all the time. But, should you shower with them on?
Well, the answer is, you can shower and expose the jewelry to water. But, if you want to ensure your pieces look beautiful and shiny for many years to come, it is best to take them off before a shower. Note that even pure gold can lose its shine when exposed to water all the time. So, while it might not be damaged, it can lose the shine that people love about gold jewelry.
Tips for Keeping Gold Jewelry Beautiful
So, we have discussed that it is best to take off jewelry before you shower. But, there are some other things you can do to ensure you maintain your gold jewelry. Let’s take a look at them.
Avoid Salt Water
You might think that you can wear your gold jewelry to the beach. Indeed, if you are staying out of the water, this is something that you can do. But, if you do plan on going in the water, it is best to take off your pieces first. This is going to make sure that they do not get damaged or you accidentally lose them in the water.
For example, salt water might be damaging to gold. It has the ability to weaken the material, depending on the number of karats that are in your jewelry. This could mean that it is more likely to break. What’s more, the other metals in a gold piece of jewelry might tarnish when exposed to salt water.
Allow Perfume and Sunscreen to Dry
If you are going to be going out, you might put on perfume. This can make sure you smell good before a date, meeting friends or when you are going to work. What’s more, if you are going to be out in the sun or going to the beach, you will have to wear sunscreen to protect your skin.
Something to note is that both of these things can be oily when you first put them on your skin. This has the potential to dull gold jewelry. So, what you want to do is make sure you let them dry completely before putting on your necklace or bracelet.
Clean At the End of the Day
Say that you have been caught in the rain and your jewelry is wet. Alternatively, imagine you have been in the sun all day and you are feeling hot and sweaty. Both of these situations are going to mean that your gold jewelry is exposed to moisture.
So, the best thing you can do is to clean your jewelry at the end of the day. Take a soft microfiber cloth and make sure you wipe over the jewelry. This is going to remove any moisture that is on the material, making sure that it is clean for the next time you wear it.