Can You Shower with 14k Gold Without Damaging It?

In today's jewelry world, not all gold jewelry is created equal, and knowing what's actually on your piece changes how you should treat it in the shower. Gold jewelry is a highly valued item for most people and is worn frequently, even while showering. 

But can you shower with 14k gold? This question is very important to anyone who wants their gold items, regardless of whether they're pure gold or gold-filled, to remain shiny and not fade away easily. In this article, you will learn all about showering with 14k gold and how to maintain it.

Understanding 14k Gold

The 14k gold is generally used in making jewelry because it is hard-wearing and relatively cheaper as compared to other types of gold. With 58. 3% gold and 41. 7% alloy metals like copper and silver, 14k gold is less prone to scratching and bending than the higher karats, 18k, and 24k. This combination makes it appropriate for casual use, but like most jewelry, it needs proper handling to remain stunning.

Take a look at our 14k gold-filled jewelry with a variety of styles that are appropriate for daily wear or special occasions, and get the look and feel of solid gold jewelry at a much more affordable price. Whether you are looking for a dainty gold necklace, gold pendants, gold chains, bracelets, or studs, in our range of jewelry, you will be assured that each and every piece is made and designed to last and to give that elegant added flair to your outfit.

In the image: Birth flower pendant and Citrine jewelry

Is Gold-Plated Jewelry Waterproof?

Not every piece in your jewelry box is built the same way, though, and gold-plated jewelry is a good example to know. It's water-resistant, but it isn't truly waterproof. Gold plating works by electroplating a delicate, thin gold layer onto a base metal, usually brass or stainless steel, so the gold you see sits on the surface rather than running through the entire piece. Occasional splashes or handwashing are generally safe, but prolonged water exposure, whether from showering daily, swimming, or washing dishes, can wear that gold layer down over time.

Once the plated layer thins out, the base metal underneath can start to show through, sometimes leaving green or black marks on the skin. This is an easy way to spot when a stainless steel jewelry or brass piece needs a break from water. Chlorinated water and other harsh chemicals speed this up, which is why gold-plated pieces are better suited to occasional wear than daily use.

If you want jewelry built for more regular water exposure, gold-filled jewelry and gold vermeil jewelry are worth a look. Both have a thicker gold layer than traditional gold plating, giving them better durability and tarnish-resistant water resistance for everyday wear.

Solid gold and sterling silver pieces offer the highest water resistance of all, since there's no plated layer to wear away. Our 14k Gold-Filled Jewelry Collection and 14k Gold-Plated Jewelry Collection break down which of our pieces fall into each category, and our guide on gold-filled vs. gold-plated jewelry goes deeper into how the two finishes compare.

The Effects of Water and Chemicals on 14k Gold

Although 14k gold is quite resistant, constant contact with water, soaps, shampoos, and other chemicals can damage it over time. Tap water itself doesn’t harm gold, but the minerals it contains, particularly in hard water areas, may cause a buildup and subsequent oxidation. Furthermore, soap and shampoos can also leave a residue that gives the surface of gold an unsheen yellow gold look.

In the image: Droplet Earrings and Naomi Chunky Hoops

Chemical Reactions

Chemicals in personal care products, such as chlorine in pools and sulfur in hot springs, can react with the alloy metals in 14k gold. The same goes for salt water, which can accelerate tarnishing on any piece with lower gold content. As a result, frequent exposure can cause your 14k gold jewelry to discolor and develop unwanted residue.

Caring for Your Jewelry After Water Exposure

A little care after water exposure goes a long way, whether your jewelry is solid gold, gold-filled, or gold-plated. This applies across gold tones, from pure gold and yellow gold to white gold, and it's worth a quick rinse after washing hands too, since soap residue is one of the most common causes of a dulled gold finish.

• Rinse and dry right away. After a shower, rinse gold-filled and gold-plated pieces with clean water so no soap or shampoo residue is left behind, then pat dry immediately with a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid abrasive towels, which can scratch the surface.

• Skip harsh chemicals, chlorine, and salt water. Prolonged contact with soaps, lotions, chlorine, or salt water can gradually wear down even a thick layer of gold, so take pieces off before swimming or using cleaning products.

• Store pieces in soft pouches between wears. A container with a soft lining, like velvet or cotton, protects intricate designs and the base metal underneath from moisture buildup and keeps pieces from scratching each other.

• Stick to regular, low-maintenance cleaning. Washing gold-plated jewelry with warm water and a mild cleanser, rather than saving it for occasional deep cleans, keeps 14k, 18k, or gold-plated pieces looking their best with daily wear. Pieces like our Pavé Opal Huggies, crafted in 14k gold plating over sterling silver, benefit from this same gentle routine.

In the image: Pavé Opal Huggies

Showering with 14k Gold: Yay or Nay?

Whether you can shower with your 14k gold jewelry depends on the care given to it. Occasional contact with water is not a problem, but showering regularly puts additional stress on the material. For your 14k gold jewelry to remain shiny and long-lasting, it’s still advisable to take it off while showering and adhere to the proper care procedures.

14k gold is resistant enough for occasional water exposure, but showering in it every day will wear down even a thick layer of gold faster than you'd like. A quick rinse, a soft dry cloth, and a proper pouch go a long way toward keeping it looking new.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there such a thing as truly waterproof gold jewelry?

Not really, at least not in the way most people mean it. Even solid gold and sterling silver, which come closest, can still tarnish or dull with constant water exposure over time. The closest thing to waterproof gold jewelry is a piece with no plated layer to wear away, like solid gold or gold vermeil, since there's no thin coating that can rub off or expose the base metal underneath.

What's the difference between gold-filled and gold vermeil for shower wear?

Both hold up better in water than standard gold plating. Gold-filled jewelry bonds a thick layer of real gold to a base metal, while gold vermeil is a thick layer of gold over sterling silver. Either is a better choice than thin, traditional gold plating if you want water-resistant jewelry you don't have to remove for every shower, though neither is technically waterproof.

Will gold-plated jewelry turn green or leave marks on skin?

It can, once the gold layer wears thin enough for the base metal underneath to reach the skin. This shows up as green or black marks, especially with frequent water exposure or skin that reacts to certain metals. Rinsing and drying jewelry promptly after water exposure slows this down.

Can I wear white gold or yellow gold jewelry in salt water?

White gold and yellow gold pieces can handle occasional splashes, but salt water speeds up tarnishing on plated finishes and can dull even solid gold over time. Rinse with fresh water as soon as possible after swimming.

How do I keep gold jewelry low-maintenance between wears?

Low-maintenance care comes down to a few habits: a quick rinse and dry after water exposure, storing pieces in soft pouches rather than loose in a drawer, and sticking to regular cleaning instead of occasional deep cleans. For a full walkthrough, see our Jewelry Care 101 guide.