Can You Shower in Waterproof Jewelry? What Actually Holds Up

Short answer: yes, if it's the right metal. The whole appeal of waterproof jewelry is that you put it on and forget about it. No taking your bangles off before a shower, and no panic when you realize you went in the ocean with your necklace on.

But "waterproof" gets slapped on a lot of things that aren't. So here's what to actually look for, and what holds up.

What Makes Jewelry Waterproof?

It comes down to two things. The base metal underneath, and the finish on top.

The base metal needs to be something that resists rust and corrosion when it gets wet. The finish, if it's gold, needs to hold up to water, soap and sweat without wearing off quickly.

Cheap costume jewelry usually fails on both. It's often a base metal like brass or a mixed alloy with a very thin layer of gold on top. Once the gold wears thin, the metal underneath can react with sweat, and that's when you get the green ring on your finger.

The Metals That Hold Up

316L stainless steel

This is what most of our jewelry is made from. 316L stainless steel is strong and corrosion resistant, and it's made for showers, swimming and sweating at the gym. It's the base for almost everything in our Waterproof Jewelry collection, including our Simple Stacker Cuff Bangle.

Simple Stacker Cuff Bangle in silver

A note for sensitive skin: 316L does contain a small amount of nickel. Published lab tests on 316L show very low nickel release, but it isn't nickel-free, so if you have a known nickel allergy, titanium is the better choice.

Implant-grade titanium

Our titanium pieces are made from implant-grade ASTM F-136 titanium, the same grade used in surgical implants. It's lightweight, nickel isn't one of its alloying elements, and titanium is known for corrosion resistance, so showers and sweat are fine. Rinse off chlorine and salt water afterwards. That makes it great for the stuff you never take out, like the Titanium Clicker Hoops or a flat back stud in your cartilage. You can find all of it in our titanium jewelry collection.

Titanium Mini Seamless Hoops

What Is PVD Gold Plating?

PVD stands for physical vapor deposition. It's how we get the gold color onto steel.

Here's how it works: PVD vaporizes gold (18K or 24K, depending on the piece) in a vacuum and deposits it onto 316L stainless steel as a thin layer.

PVD vs regular gold plating

Traditional gold plating is done in a chemical bath, and the thickness of the gold layer varies a lot between makers. PVD is a different process, and ours is designed for everyday wear, showers and sweat.

That doesn't mean PVD is indestructible. Gold coating of any kind can still wear down over a long time with a lot of friction, like a ring that rubs against a metal water bottle every day. But for normal life, including water, it's designed to hold up.

What About Sterling Silver?

This one surprises people. Sterling silver is a beautiful metal, but it isn't waterproof. Silver naturally tarnishes when it's exposed to air, and water, sweat and chemicals like chlorine can speed that up.

Our sterling silver pieces are water resistant, not waterproof, and we're phasing them out. If you have one, take it off before you shower or swim. If you want a silver look you can wear in water, go for silver tone stainless steel or titanium instead.

Can You Wear It in the Pool, Ocean and Gym?

For our stainless steel and titanium pieces, yes. Showers, pools, the beach and workouts are all fine.

Bold Simple Stacker Cuff Bangle in gold

What we'd suggest is a quick rinse afterwards. Chlorine, salt water, sunscreen and perfume can leave residue that makes gold look dull over time. Rinse with warm soapy water, or just give it a rinse at the end of your shower, and pat it dry with a soft cloth. Let it dry completely before you store it, and keep it out of direct sunlight.

It's not a must every single time, but it's the easiest way to keep your pieces looking new.

How to Tell If Jewelry Is Actually Waterproof

When you're shopping anywhere, not just with us, look at what the listing tells you.

A real waterproof piece will name the base metal. Look for something like "316L stainless steel" or "titanium." If it just says "alloy," "mixed metal" or doesn't say at all, assume it isn't.

Then check the finish. "PVD" is a good sign for gold pieces. "Gold plated" with no other detail doesn't tell you the base metal or the process, so it's worth asking.

And look at the price. Waterproof doesn't have to be expensive. Our pieces are all $45 and under, with most between $12 and $22, so you can build a whole set of things you never take off. If you're starting with earrings, our hoops are a good place to look, since a small pair is easy to leave in all day.

Everyday Seamless Hoops in gold

FAQ

Can you shower with PVD gold plated jewelry?

Yes, it's made for it. Our PVD gold plated 316L stainless steel is a corrosion-resistant metal with a gold finish, so showers are fine. A quick rinse and dry every so often keeps it looking its best.

What does PVD mean in jewelry?

PVD stands for physical vapor deposition. It's a process that deposits a thin layer of gold onto the base metal in a vacuum.

Is sterling silver waterproof?

No. Sterling silver naturally tarnishes and isn't waterproof. Take silver pieces off before showering or swimming, or choose stainless steel or titanium for water.

Will waterproof jewelry turn my skin green?

Green skin usually comes from copper in base metals like brass reacting with sweat or lotion. Stainless steel and titanium aren't built on copper, so they're not expected to do that.