Can you wear gold plated jewelry in the shower? Can you wear your gold-plated jewelry in the pool? Can you wear your gold-plated jewelry in the ocean? You have no idea, right? Here are the answers.
It’s normal for some people to keep their necklaces and rings on all the time. There’s a level of confidence they have that nothing can destroy jewelry made from metal, so they proceed to do all activities.
For the most part, that is not a good idea, mostly if it is not made from pure metal like gold or platinum. One such example is gold filled jewelry. That’s not to say that there’s a problem with the type of jewelry.
Many love gold plated jewelry because it looks like the real thing, only much cheaper. You can get some really good pieces that will stay with you for a long time.
However, that’s if you take good care of them, as with everything that we do own. Here we’re going to explore if it’s okay to get your gold-plated jewelry wet and offer you some tips on caring for it.
Can you wear gold plated jewelry in the shower? And why?
Before we get to the answer, we first need to look at what gold-plated means. Practically, it starts with a base metal; it could be copper, stainless steel, or any other metal the jeweler chooses.
From there, they cover the base metal with a thin layer of gold. That’s typically done by dipping the piece in gold and then shooting it with an electric current, causing a chemical reaction. That’s how the thin layer of gold gets added.
It’s worth keeping in mind that the jewelry is not ‘fake gold.’ The gold used is real, so it’s more appropriate to call that particular piece you’re referring to as gold-plated. However, what you’ll note is that the jewelry will tarnish over time.
That means that over time, the gold layer on your favorite jewelry will fade, crack, or chip, exposing the metal underneath. That’s the main disadvantage of gold-plated items.
Now, let’s get to the question, is it okay to get your jewelry wet when taking a shower? Overall, for a lot of jewelry, the answer is no.
Make it a good habit of removing jewelry before showering to increase their longevity. With gold plated items specifically, the thin layer of gold will fade or chip when it interacts with water, soap, and other products.
When you get into the shower with our necklace or ring, you might be well on your way to retiring it when the base metal gets exposed.
If you’re not keen on taking off your jewelry when getting into the shower, then you’d want an alternative to gold-filled items. It’s not gold, since that’s quite expensive, but you can get gold-filled pieces.
They have a more significant layer of gold; a sheet of gold is wrapped around the base metal. The gold doesn’t come off and can stay looking new for years.
The gold-filled piece is more expensive than gold plated ones, but still, a bargain if you don’t have the budget for a gold piece.
When you shower with such jewelry, there’s little damage to be done. Even so, it’s a good habit not to shower with jewelry on. Here is an ultimate post for you: what jewelry you can wear in the shower, You will learn a lot in this post!
Can you wear your gold-plated jewelry in the pool? And why?
If you can’t wear it in the shower, then you definitely can’t wear it in the pool.
If a harsh soap affects your jewelry, then the chlorine and other chemicals in the pool will make it worse.
When you’re out of the pool, the jewelry does dry, but it leaves the chemicals on it, which causes a reaction.
Later, if you scratch or hit your jewelry on something, there’ll likely be rapid tarnishing.
You’ll end up seeing the base metal a lot sooner than you wished, and that can make you feel cheated.
Can you wear your gold-plated jewelry in the ocean? And why?
The ocean is just as bad when it comes to gold plated items, probably even worse. Seawater is very corrosive to any kind of jewelry.
The sand and the water itself are quite abrasive and cause the surface of your gold plated jewelry to wear off. It’s not just the water that’s the problem.
The salt in the air has an equal effect since it encourages rusting. Your jewelry might not oxidize, but it will make the gold coating to break down much faster.
If you need to wear jewelry to the beach, the better option is either fine gold or platinum.
They might get impacted, but nothing that a quick clean cannot fix.
Tips for cleaning your gold-plated jewelry if you wear it in the water
It’s typical to forget things, and you and up doing a cannonball in the pool with your jewelry on.
The other scenario is that you just look better with them on since they complement your swimsuit. Whatever the case, there is some hope.
Once you’re done swimming in the pool or the ocean, there are things you can do the lessen the damage. Acting fast translates into keeping something newer for longer.
Take off the piece and clean it. What you’ll need are a mild detergent and warm water. Stay away from products branded as jewelry cleaners or even antibacterial soap as they are too harsh for jewelry.
Soak the items for about five minutes. You can use a soft cloth to clean out and dirt and debris. A soft toothbrush is also useful to remove the debris that could be hiding in the nooks and crannies.
Rinse it out thoroughly with clean water. Let the jewelry dry, or wipe it with a soft cloth if you’re in a hurry.
Remembering to clean your jewelry is what will give it longevity. You don’t have to wait for it to get wet.
After every use, you can use a soft cloth to remove dirt, lotion, or makeup that would have accumulated on the surface.
That way, you keep the jewelry clean and looking newer for longer. When you’re storing them, put them separately, so they don’t rub on each other.
That’s another thing that causes the plating to come off. Make space between your pieces or use pouches that are airy as that it won’t oxidizes.
Conclusion
There’s more you can do to keep your gold-plated jewelry looking new.
It’s not only about the water; it is avoiding getting the jewelry into contact with oils, nail polish, or any other chemicals that might react with the gold layer. Sweat is also another culprit for the tarnishing of this kind of jewelry.
So, ensure that you take off your pieces when you’re exercising or any physical work that might make you sweat.
Taking care of your jewelry doesn’t have to be an immense pain when it comes to doing it. Merely keep in mind that you’d want to have your gold-plated jewelry for a long time.
Keep an eye on them and when you notice they’ve lost their shine, give them a soak and a polish.
If the jewelry does lose the gold layer, you can always get it re-plated at your local jeweler.
However, that won’t happen for a while, so don’t worry. Gold-plated jewelry does last a long time. ( If you protect your Gold plated jewelry well)
For more useful tips, please visit this page or visit this section for more tips.
Tiger is a fashion&jewelry lover. He is also a fashion jewelry manufacturer that help thousands of small business to grow and also do business with some big fashion jewelry brands. He is a truly metal expert and he will share some information you are looking for.