Can I Shower With My Stainless Steel Jewelry?

 

You may have wondered, can I shower with my stainless steel jewelry on? Will my jewelry get ruined in the water, and if so, should I take it before I hop in the shower? The short answer is yes, you can shower with your stainless steel jewelry on, which is great for those who love to wear their jewelry all the time without the hassle of taking it off every time they shower.

 

Stainless steel is a highly durable alloyed metal that is resistant to most tarnish, rust, and corrosion. Soapy water in the shower will not ruin or damage it. But there is one caveat: it must be "bare" stainless steel jewelry. The following blog post is suggestions, tips, and tricks from Glam Body Candy on what and what not to do.

 

What About Showering With Gold-Plated Stainless Steel Jewelry?

Can you shower with gold-plated stainless steel jewelry? Gold-plated stainless steel, just like many other base metals plated with gold, requires extra care. Gold-plated jewelry should be kept away from water and other substances. The thin layer of gold plating on the stainless steel gradually wears down if it is exposed to soaps, shampoos, heat, and prolonged moisture, eventually revealing the stainless steel beneath as it fades.

 

Gold Plated Stainless Steel vs. “Bare” Stainless Steel: Exposure to Water

"Bare" stainless steel jewelry can handle showers and soapy water submersion because there is no coating, plating, or special finish over the stainless steel.  Gold-plated jewelry must be treated gently and with extra care, kept away from water and other substances. This preserves its luster and richly toned plated finish.

 

The Real Problem Isn't Water. It's…

Water is not the main concern when it comes to stainless steel jewelry care.  It's what's inside or mixed in with the water that causes caked-up debris, thus dulling the surface of the metal. Every day bath products and hard water minerals are some of the biggest culprits that ruin the surface luster of stainless steel.

 

Soap, Bodywash, Shampoos & Conditioners:

Most common soaps, shampoos, and conditioners contain moisturizing agents, oils, additives like sulfates or silicones, along with waxy ingredients designed to coat your hair and nourish your skin. When these complex substances come into contact with jewelry, they may leave behind a thin residue on the surface. This greasy film dulls sparkling stones, gets into the nooks and crevices of jewelry, creating a build-up that detracts from the inherent beauty of the piece.

 

Hard Water (Minerals):

Hard water is a common issue among households. Hard water is a term referring to minerals in the water, like calcium and magnesium. When the water evaporates, these minerals leave chalky residue and small spots on the jewelry's surface. On jewelry, this residue creates a dull, matted finish, covering the piece with a slight texture.

 

Why Gold-Plated Jewelry Has Different Rules

Gold-plated stainless steel jewelry offers a glamorous alternative that shines like solid gold, but has the affordability and durability of steel, making it a stunning selection for those who love modern yet classic design. It has all the glamor and prestige of gold without the higher price tag, making gold-plated stainless steel jewelry a sustainable selection for those who are budget-conscious and up-to-date on the latest trends.

 

PVD Plating: What It is and How it Compares to Other Gold Plating Methods

PVD(Physical Vapor Deposition) is an advanced plating technique used on jewelry and features a high-tech finishing process created to withstand frequent wear and tear. This modern plating process creates a durable, thin, even layer of metal covering the base metal, like stainless steel, producing a rich, beautiful, long-lasting color on top of the stainless steel. Gold-plated stainless steel jewelry offers all the luxury of regular gold jewelry but at a fraction of the price.

 

PVD Plating Process

During the PVD plating process, the plating material is turned into vapor inside a vacuum chamber and evenly fused onto the surface of the jewelry. PVD plating creates an extremely smooth surface that is long-lasting, durable, lustrous, and beautiful compared to other methods of plating.

 

Why You Shouldn’t Shower with Gold-Plated Jewelry

The surface can still lose its luster and become dull, corrode, or discolor if it is exposed to water, chemicals, cleaning agents, soaps, and abrasive scrubbing. The combination of hot water, steam, and friction (from using body brushes, loofahs, etc.) can accelerate the wear and tear on this thin, plated-gold layer, causing the color to fade faster and expose the steel (or other base metal underneath). Whether it's bracelets, rings, necklaces, or earrings, all gold-plated jewelry should be removed before showering.

 

PRO-TIP: PVD-plated jewelry needs to be removed before showering, swimming, and other activities, and stored away from possible damage. Wiping the surface clean with a jewelry cloth or gently cleaning with mild soap and water will remove any residue that may lead to build-up. Make sure to check out our in-depth blog post for more info: How to Safely Clean Stainless Steel Jewelry (The Right Way).

 

What About the Pools or the Ocean?

Salt Water (Ocean)

 Salt is naturally corrosive and can slowly erode metal surfaces. When salt water dries, it leaves behind a layer of minerals and microscopic abrasives that can dull the shine of your jewelry over time. It can also be very difficult to remove if it is left on the surface without a simple rinse in clean water.

 

Chlorine (Pools)

Chlorine is a very harsh chemical and may be one of the most damaging substances for any metal jewelry. Even though PVD gold-plated finishes are durable, chlorine can cause discoloration, surface weakening, or a dull, uneven finish if it interacts with gold-plated jewelry.

 

Pro-Tip: Wearing any gold-plated jewelry in the ocean or saltwater, whether it is PVD-plated or not, is a definite no. Salt water may corrode the surface of the gold plating, and it may also cause it to become lost in the ocean or the beach sand. It is not resistant to harsh climates. It is important to note that wearing any jewelry in the ocean or to the beach is precarious.

 

Style Ideas for Shopping: High-Quality Gold-Plated or “Bare” Stainless Steel Earrings to Match Your Mood

These are some of our favorites!

Make sure to check out our ultra-chic Aura Teardrop Studs, available in bare stainless steel and gold-plated options through the menu, featuring a stunning J-hoop reimagined into an artistic silhouette. Elevate any ear party look with these on-trend earrings, designed to stand out but perfect for any occasion.

 

Explore our Anya Sculptural Hoop Earrings, featuring a sleek silhouette without stones or texture finish, making them ideal for both everyday and nighttime wear. Their classic yet trendy design elevates any look, all at a great price point for long-lasting luxury.

 

Our Final Verdict

Gold-plated jewelry is not the same as solid gold or other solid metal or "bare" stainless steel. Even though gold-plated jewelry may appear the same as solid gold jewelry at a glance, it must be maintained with extra care because it is plated, not solid. The plating will flake off, discolor, or become permanently damaged if it is exposed to chemicals and cleaning agents.

 

"Bare" stainless steel jewelry cleaning your stainless steel jewelry and removing soapy residue, drying it completely, and storing it when not in use is the best way to keep it looking brand new and lustrous.

 

Gold-plated jewelry needs to be kept away from prolonged exposure to water, moisture, and everyday products such as soap, shampoo, oils, cosmetics, and more. Cleaning agents, such as bleach and chlorine, may permanently corrode the surface. Salt water may fade and pit the surface of the gold-plated finish, causing it to be hard to remove water droplets.

 

Glam Body Candy's Best Practice: To maintain the shine of any stainless steel jewelry, we recommend removing all jewelry (bare or PVD gold-plated) before showering, swimming, and other activities that may expose it to chemicals.

 

FAQ

Is it safe to shower with stainless steel jewelry?

Showering with “bare” stainless steel jewelry is safe. Removing any gold-plated jewelry before water submersion will prevent damage.

 

Will chlorine in a pool or jacuzzi damage my jewelry?

 Removing all jewelry before swimming is recommended; jewelry may become lost or damaged. “Bare” stainless steel jewelry is safe to swim in, as long as it is rinsed off with clean water afterwards.

 

What is the best way to clean all stainless steel jewelry? 

Use warm, soapy water or a jewelry cloth.

 

About the Author

Emma Zerner was born in Guelph, Ontario and raised in Gainesville, Florida. Emma has a B.S. in Retail Merchandising from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities and Graduate Gemologist (G.G), from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). In 2002, Emma began her jewelry career in retail and now creates jewelry content for global brands. In her free time, Emma has appeared on several major network reality TV shows, including MTV, BRAVO, and TLC