A Guide To What Jewelry Is Safe To Wear In The Water

Whether you're jumping in the ocean, relaxing in a hot tub, or just heading into the shower, it's natural to wonder: Is it safe to wear jewelry in water?

The short answer: sometimes—but not always. Water itself isn’t the main issue. It’s the chlorine, salt, chemicals, heat, and even your shampoo that can do real damage to certain materials.

Here’s how to tell which of your jewelry pieces can get wet—and which ones should stay dry.

🏊 The Safe Rule: Remove All Valuables Before Swimming

To be extra cautious, our #1 recommendation is to remove any jewelry you really care about before getting in the water, especially if it's vintage, delicate, or holds sentimental value.

While pure water alone won’t ruin most metals or stones, the combination of chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, heat, and UV exposure can speed up tarnishing, weaken settings, and damage certain gemstones.

✅ Solid Gold: Generally Water-Safe

Let’s start with the good news: solid gold jewelry (especially 14k or 18k) is typically safe for occasional exposure to water. That’s one reason we love it—and why Nova Lita jewelry is made exclusively with solid gold.

• In the pool? Briefly is fine—but long-term chlorine exposure can weaken prongs and settings, especially on lower-karat pieces (like 10k).

• In the ocean? Saltwater won’t tarnish gold, but it can still affect solder points and any glue or non-metal elements.

• In the shower? Totally fine now and then. Just rinse and dry thoroughly.

💡 Tip: Always check gemstone settings after water exposure to make sure nothing has loosened.

❌ Not Safe for Water Wear

Gold-plated jewelry
That thin layer of gold can quickly wear off when exposed to water, revealing the base metal underneath. Definitely not swim-safe.

Sterling silver
Sterling can tarnish quickly, and water speeds up the process—especially in pools or hot tubs. If you wear it in the water, rinse and dry immediately to minimize dulling or corrosion.

💎 What About Gemstones?

Safe-to-soak stones:
These gems are durable and can handle water exposure in moderation:

• Diamond

• Sapphire

• Ruby

• Tourmaline

• Quartz

• Peridot

Keep dry:
These softer or porous stones don’t play well with water:

• Opals – can crack or lose their play-of-color

• Pearls – porous and sensitive to chemicals and moisture

• Turquoise – absorbs water and may discolor or weaken over time

• Malachite, amber, and moonstone – also best kept away from water

💡 Always research or ask before wearing any gemstone jewelry in water—especially vintage or heirloom pieces.

🧴 Extra Tips for Jewelry Around Water

• Avoid hot tubs – Heat + chlorine is especially damaging, even for gold.

• Dry thoroughly – Water left behind can cause spots or corrosion over time.

• Get it checked – If a piece starts to look dull or a stone seems loose, visit a jeweler for inspection.

🕊 Final Thoughts: When in Doubt, Take It Off

If you're heading to the beach, pool, or shower and not sure if your jewelry can handle it, it’s always better to play it safe and take it off.

That said, if you're wearing solid gold with a durable stone, and it’s just a quick dip or rinse, you're likely in the clear—just make sure to rinse, dry, and care for it afterward.

Still not sure about a specific piece? Reach out—we’re always happy to help you keep your Nova Lita jewelry glowing, in and out of the water.