Can You Shower with Gold Jewelry
You can shower with gold jewelry if it is made in 14 karat or above. Higher karat gold jewelry contains less percentage of copper which decreases the chances of tarnishing. Moreover, it is hypoallergenic and will never react with skin. Gold jewelry made in low karat i.e. 9 karat or 10 karat is likely to tarnish with water contact. Repetitive contact with water not only tarnishes low purity gold jewelry but they also lose shine.
In this article we’ll cover questions like can you shower with gold jewelry, what kind of damage can you expect and how can your gold jewelry from it.
Does Water Damage Gold Jewelry?
Water can damage gold jewelry but there are some factors involved in it. For example, occasional contact with normal tap water is not going to damage gold. But frequent water contact can bring significant damage. Moreover, purity of gold also plays a role.
Gold is available in many purity levels i.e. karats. Number ranges from 9 karat being the lowest to 20 karat being the highest used in jewelry. The higher the karat number near to 24 is, higher the gold amount in it. With lower karat types like 9 karat, gold content is very low compared to copper which changes the properties of the gold alloy.
For higher purity alloys like 14 karat and above, water does not cause any significant impact on occasional contact. Even repetitive contact will not bring big damage. However, jewelry is delicate and repetitive contacts must be avoided.
Low karat gold jewelry can tarnish on frequent contact with water. It is better to avoid shower with low karat jewelry.
What Kind of Damage Can You Expect?
Water can damage jewelry in multiple ways.
1. Tarnishing
Tarnishing is the chemical reaction in which copper part of gold alloy reacts with atmospheric chemicals to form a dull layer over its shiny surface. Though, water does not directly cause tarnishing but it can fasten the speed at which it occurs. For example, gold tarnishes faster in a high humid place like bathroom.
Tarnish is a removeable thing and can be removed by using tarnish removing chemicals.
2. Loss of Shine
We all know Gold is a metal known for its shine. Its unmatchable shine is the reason why most people buy gold jewelry. However, excessive usage of water while wearing gold can take away its shine. Occasional contacts with water might not bring any noticeable damage. But repetitive contact with normal and hot water can cause significant impact.
3. Loss of Gemstones
Gemstones are a key part of gold jewelry. These small stones are placed in jewelry with the help of a gum. And with time, this gum can become loose and hence the grip of gemstones as well. Repetitive contact with water causes these gemstones to leave their place and eventually fall. This does not only cause extra money but also a hectic task of again looking for same size and specifications of a gemstone. That’s why it is important to avoid it.
How Much Time It Takes Gold Jewelry to Tarnish?
Low purity gold jewelry i.e. 9 karat or 10 karat can tarnish in 1 to 2 years of frequent contact with water. However, high purity jewelry i.e. 14 karat or above will take a minimum of 3 to 4 years to tarnish. Or it might never tarnish.
How to Know Purity of Your Gold Jewelry?
Finding purity of a gold jewelry item is very easy. Just look for jeweler stamps. You can find it on inner half of a bracelet or ring. For a necklace, look near the clasp. Look for any engraved numbers. Different karat jewelries will have different stamps.
For 18 karat: Look for stamps like “18k“, “750 AU“, and “750“.
For 14 karat: Look for stamps like “14k“, “585 AU“, and “585“.
For 10 karat: Look for stamps like “10k“, “417 AU“, and “417“.
For 9 karat: Look for stamps like “9k“, “375 AU“, and “375“.
If you can’t find any of these stamps, then may be those engravings have disappeared with time. Another option here will be to look at the buying receipt of that jewelry item.
Why Shower with Gold Jewelry can Damage Jewelry?
Tap water can only damage low purity or karat jewelry. However, other types of water and other chemicals used in showering can damage even higher karat jewelry.
Chlorinated Water
Chlorinated water is found in swimming pools. Whenever a person swims in a swimming pool without removing jewelry, it comes into contact with chlorinated water. Chlorine is a highly reactive chemical that can damage shiny surface of any type of jewelry. Avoid wearing jewelry when going to swimming or near to any place which has chlorine.
Seawater
Seawater contains high amounts of salts and minerals which can damage fine jewelry. Mode of action of these salts is to quickly react with jewelry’s metal and form by products resulting in dull surface. It is very important for every jewelry owner to never wear their jewelry when going on beach.
Shampoo and Other Chemicals
Shampoos, conditioners and other shower chemicals also cause an impact on gold jewelry. For example, while applying shampoo on your hair, these chemicals can come in contact with a gold ring and make deposits there. This will create a thin layer of residue and cause loss of shine. With time, this layer will react with gold and damage it permanently.
Hard Water
Though, hard water is not a very common problem in the U.S, but it still exists. Hard water is a type of underground water that contains excess amounts of calcium compounds making soap lather reduction and other problems. Repetitive contacts with these such a water deposits an extra layer of calcium compounds on jewelry’s surface making it appear dull.
If you have this type of water being used in your house, remove your jewelry before indulging in any task has water. It is also recommended to not shower with your gold jewelry in hard water.
How to Save Gold Jewelry from Water Damage?
Here are the steps you should take to save your jewelry from water damage.
- Avoid wearing jewelry on a hot or rainy day. Both sweat and rain water must be avoided.
- Use a professional jewelry box for storing jewelry. Never use wooden boxes.
- Use anti tarnish bags and water absorbing gel packets in jewelry storage box.
- Never wear gold jewelry when doing tasks involving seawater or chlorinated water.
- Avoid frequent wearing of gold jewelry in areas with high humidity like coastal areas.
- Avoid direct contact of shampoo and other chemicals with other jewelry.
- Use soft cloth for cleaning and drying purpose.
- Use a lint free cloth.
Common FAQ’s about Shower with Gold Jewelry
Here are some common FAQ’s about shower with gold jewelry.
1. Can You Shower with 14k gold jewelry?
Yes, you can shower with 14k gold jewelry.
2. My Gold Jewelry Has lost Its Shine. What to do?
Then its time for polishing of your jewelry. Go to a jeweler and ask for polishing services.
3. Can you avoid Tarnishing of 9 or 10 karat jewelry?
Tarnishing is a natural process which will happen if required chemicals are present near gold. Best way to avoid tarnishing is to save your gold jewelry from water, atmospheric chemicals and cosmetic items.
Conclusion
Showering with gold jewelry can be concerning for jewelry’s overall health. Specifically, if it is made in lower purity or water contains chemicals. This can cause multiple things like tarnishing and loss of shine or gemstones. Jewelry is a delicate piece of item and should be taken care of. It is better to avoid water contact while wearing jewelry or loss can be permanent as well. You can take precautionary measures like using professional jewelry storage box and anti-tarnish bags. This will keep jewelry away from moisture. In this way, your gold jewelry will remain with you forever.