What Jewelry Can You Wear in the Shower?
Do you want to keep your jewelry looking good as new for as long as possible? If so, you may need to look beyond proper storage, regular clean-up, and maintenance.
Ideally, you must also exercise caution when wearing them in the shower.
This is because exposure to moisture, chemicals, and hard minerals could result in a reaction that leads to rust, corrosion, or tarnishing, causing it to wear away quickly.
But no two jewelry pieces are created with the same materials. There are some high-quality variants where you can hop in the shower for a quick bath or even take a dip in the pool without worrying about damage to your favorite pieces.
Get the deets on the chosen few with Artizan Joyeria.
1. Aluminum
Aluminum, a light metal, is exceptionally ductile and durable. Hence, it makes a regular appearance in everything from bracelets to necklaces.
Because it is created through anodizing, it won’t rust or tarnish—as long as it’s not combined with other metals. So, you can wear it in the shower without worrying about the nasty reddish-brown spots making a cameo.
Keep in mind that your shower essentials could contain chemicals that affect the appearance of aluminum. So, exercise caution all the same.
2. Glass
While glass is unimpressive by itself, it can be paired with additives to produce a more colorful material suitable for jewelry pieces that grab eyeballs.
Since it’s made up of silicon dioxide and is not affected by water, it is OK to wear in the shower. But, if it is alloyed with metals for durability, there may be a risk of rust, tarnishing, or corrosion. Also, keep in mind that extreme heat and humidity can induce stress on the material, causing it to crack or lose its color (and design), so you may want to remove it when taking a hot bath.
3. Plastic
Plastic jewelry is made with synthetic components, making it water-resistant. It’s generally fine to wear in the shower as it won’t react to water but bear in mind that it’s likely to become discolored when exposed to harsh chemicals. This could dull the shine of your artificial jewelry, reducing its appeal.
4. Platinum
A combination of purity, strength, durability, and rarity make platinum an ideal choice for jewelry—particularly because the silvery-white precious metal has a high density which ensures it lasts longer than gold. It is one of the least reactive noble metals and is thus extremely resistant to tarnishing or corrosion.
So, feel free to wear it in the shower!
That said, bear in mind that while water will not harm the metal, constant exposure to moisture and oxygen could develop a patina, a layer of corrosion that reduces its shine and luster. You can eliminate this problem by drying your jewelry when you step out of the bath and have it professionally polished when it gets too dark.
5. Silicone
Silicone is a durable material made with a soft, stretchy rubber material. It is designed to withstand a range of temperature changes (up to 200 degrees Celsius!), making it ideal for everything from rings and bracelets to necklaces and more.
Silicone is water-resistant, and it also holds its ground quite well against intense oils and chemicals, so you can wear it in the shower with confidence knowing it won’t corrode, tarnish, or become discolored in any way.
6. Solid Gold
The bright and lustrous gold is a precious metal that’s malleable and durable. It’s thus used to make a variety of jewelry pieces that complement every style. Since it is an inert metal with very little activity, it offers good corrosion resistance, and hence, it won’t tarnish or rust when it’s worn in the shower.
That said, it’s not a good idea to shower with it regularly because pure gold is soft and is often mixed with metals to increase its hardness, which makes it susceptible to rust. It could also lose its shine if it consistently comes into contact with high temperatures and chemicals from your bath products.
So, proceed with caution. The worst-case scenario is your jewelry goes dull, but you can always get it professionally polished and make it as good as new!
7. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel, made by melting iron, chromium, nickel, and other raw materials, is the picture of durability. This makes the alloy a popular choice for jewelry.
Since it’s the same material used for vessel production (more specifically, high-quality types 304 and 316), you can wear it in the shower without fear of rust, corrosion, or any other type of reaction when it comes in contact with water.
However, keep in mind that it’s still at risk for surface damage if the crack-free chromium coating is compromised. This is because stainless steel is not entirely stain-proof, so exposure to certain chemicals and hard minerals in the bath could cause it to discolor or suffer localized corrosion (staining or pitting) over time.
8. Titanium
Titanium is durable and has good scratch resistance that maintains its new-like appearance for a long time, making it a good choice for jewelry like wedding bands.
It may not be an entirely inert metal, but physiologically, it certainly behaves like one. Pair it with its hypoallergenic properties that won’t react to your body’s unique chemistry. Since it’s a good choice for surgical implants, you can be sure it won’t react with water and cause any significant damage to your piece.
This, of course, applies to pure titanium only.
Sometimes, this lustrous gray-silvery metal is combined with other metals to make it more flexible and malleable. But if you’re allergic to these metals, they can cause a rash or irritate your skin. Meanwhile, prolonged exposure to water and chemicals in the bath may lead to some form of discoloration, which can alter its appearance.
Get Jewelry That Stands The Test of Time at Artizan
Now that you’re familiar with which materials can perform well against a range of temperatures and chemicals, it’s time to add some hassle-free, effortless style to your wardrobe with our impressive collection of pieces that stand the test of time.
From trending layering essentials to stackable rings, we’ve got it all (and then some).
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