Can I Shower with Silver Earrings?
No, you cant shower with silver earrings or it will get damaged. Water is harmful for silver jewelry and can fasten up tarnishing. On tarnishing, silver develops a thick dull blackish layer over its shiny surface making it appear bad. Apart from silver earrings, you should not shower with silver bracelets, bangles and rings.
In this article, you will read can I shower with silver earrings and what to do if you accidentally shower with these.
Why You Should Not Shower with Your Silver Earrings
Pure silver, also known as fine silver, is too soft for everyday wear, so it is often alloyed with other metals to increase its durability. The most common alloy is sterling silver, which consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. This combination enhances the strength of the silver while maintaining its lustrous appearance.
This addition of copper can change the metal’s reaction to water and other environmental factors. Copper, for instance, is more prone to oxidation and can accelerate the tarnishing process. Therefore, the presence of copper in sterling silver means that the jewelry may tarnish more quickly when exposed to moisture and certain chemicals.
Tarnish is a thin layer of corrosion that forms on the surface of silver when it reacts with sulfur-containing substances in the air or water. This reaction results in a dull, grayish-black coating that can diminish the beauty of the jewelry.
Risks of Showering with Silver Earrings
While it may be tempting to leave your silver earrings on while showering, there are several potential risks to consider.
1. Tarnishing and Discoloration
As mentioned earlier, exposure to water, especially tap water with high mineral content or seawater, can lead to a faster tarnishing and discoloration of silver earrings. Tarnish not only damages the appearance of the jewelry but can also be challenging to remove. Regular exposure to water and chemicals can cause the tarnish to build up over time, making it more difficult to restore the earrings’ original shine.
2. Scratching and Surface Damage
The abrasive nature of some shower products, such as exfoliating scrubs, can scratch the surface of silver earrings. These scratches can accumulate over time, leading to a dull and worn appearance. Additionally, the physical movement of showering, such as rubbing your ears with a washcloth, can also cause scratches and damage to the earrings.
3. Skin Irritation and Allergic Reactions
Wearing silver earrings in the shower can also increase the risk of skin irritation and allergic reactions. Silver jewelry contains copper which can be a cause of turning your skin green or some allergic reactions. Combination of water, soap, and shampoo can also create a moist environment that may irritate the skin around the ear piercing.
4. Loosening of Gemstones
Silver jewelry often comes with gemstones like cubic zirconia or others. With increasing exposure with water and washing chemicals like shampoos, these stones are going to lose their grip and will eventually fall off.
What If You Shower with Your Silver Earrings Accidentally
If you accidentally shower with your silver earrings, there are several steps you can take to minimize the risks and protect your jewelry.
1. Immediately Dry After Showering
Make sure to dry your earrings thoroughly. Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently pat the earrings dry, paying special attention to any crevices or intricate details. The longer water comes in contact, the more damage you can expect. Yes, it will not get any noticeable damage in one time but repeated incidents will damage it more significantly.
2. Avoid Using Abrasive Cleaning
Never clean or dry your jewelry with abrasive material which can damage its surface. Avoid using abrasive materials, such as paper towels, which can scratch the surface of the silver. Linen or velvet cloths can be good.
3. Clean if Tarnishing is Developing
If you see any noticeable tarnishing being developed, immediately wash jewelry. Use a mild silver cleaner or a solution of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap to gently clean the earrings. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the silver. After cleaning, rinse the earrings thoroughly with clean water and dry them with a soft cloth.
4. Store It Properly
Proper storage is crucial to prevent tarnishing and damage to your silver earrings. Store them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Consider using an anti-tarnish pouch or a jewelry box with anti-tarnish lining to protect the earrings from exposure to air and moisture. Additionally, store each pair of earrings separately to prevent them from scratching each other.
How to Remove Tarnishing from Silver Earrings?
For removing tarnishing, you will need tarnish removing chemical, soft drying cloth, and a bowl of warm water.
Steps for Removing Tarnishing
- Take a bowl of water water and dip your jewelry in it. Purpose of warm water is to soften the tarnish.
- After 5 to 10 minutes, take tarnish removing chemical and drop 2 to 3 drops on jewelry.
- Now start rubbing your jewelry with a soft toothbrush gently. Make sure that toothbrush is not hard and is used specifically for cleaning.
- Once all tarnishing is removed, rinse it with clean water.
By following these steps, you can easily remove tarnishing from your jewelry.
How to Save Silver Jewelry from Water Damage?
As you know of now that water can damage silver jewelry. This makes it very important to save it from water damage or it will decrease the life of jewelry. Here are some steps you can take to protect jewelry from water.
- Avoid wearing jewelry on a hot or rainy day. It can bring a lot of sweat or rainwater damaging jewelry.
- Avoid doing tasks which involve water. It includes swimming, washing, showering, laundering etc. Its better to remove jewelry before doing these tasks.
- Store your jewelry properly. Use anti tarnish and humidity absorbing bags in jewelry box.
- Don’t use jewelry storage boxes made of wood or any other material from which water can get into.
- Don’t use direct sprays of perfume on jewelry. This can indirectly damage your jewelry.
- Do rhodium plating over silver jewelry if possible.
When Is It Okay to Shower with Silver Earrings?
It is never recommended to shower with silver jewelry. But if your silver jewelry does not have any gemstones or you are planning to buy a new one and don’t intend to use it in future, then it can be okay to shower with silver jewelry.
Note that showering with your silver jewelry is always going to damage it.
Common FAQ’s on Showering with Silver Earrings
Here are some common FAQ’s.
1. What kind of water can damage Silver earrings?
All kinds of water can damage silver earrings. However, chlorinated water and seawater damage the most.
2. Should I only take care of Silver Earrings?
No, all type of silver jewelry demands care. Its not just silver earrings, any silver jewelry can get damaged by water contact.
3. What fast can tarnish develop on regular contact with water?
If your silver jewelry comes in contact with water regularly, it can take 1 to 2 months to develop tarnishing.
Conclusion
Showering with wearing silver earrings may be convenient, but it is essential to be aware of the potential risks, such as tarnishing, scratching, and skin irritation. By taking off your earrings or whatever jewelry you are wearing, you can easily enhance your silver jewelry’s shelf life. This will not only allow jewelry pieces to be useable for longer times, but also intact their glamour and shine. That’s why it is recommended to save your jewelry from water damage.