Can I Shower with My Gold Plated Necklace? | Care Guide

The Shower Question: Should Your Gold Plated Jewellery Stay On?

Let's cut to the chase: It's best to remove your gold plated jewellery before showering. While a single shower won't immediately ruin your favourite gold necklace, regular exposure to water, soaps, and shower products will gradually wear down the gold layer.

Think of gold plating as a beautiful but delicate coating that needs protection. Each time you shower with your gold plated pieces, you're shortening their lifespan. The good news? With proper care, your Ella & Eve gold plated jewellery can maintain its lustre and beauty for much longer, giving you more joy and value from each piece.

Understanding Gold Plating: What Makes It Special and Delicate

Gold plated jewellery offers the luxurious look of solid gold at a more accessible price point. The process involves applying a thin layer of real gold over a base metal (often brass, copper, or sterling silver). This creates beautiful pieces like our gold earrings and gold anklets that shine with authentic gold brilliance.

The gold layer on plated jewellery is typically between 0.5 and 3 microns thick – thinner than a human hair. This delicate layer gives your jewellery its beautiful gold appearance but requires careful handling to preserve its finish. Understanding this structure helps explain why certain activities, like showering, can affect your gold plated pieces over time.

How Water Affects Your Gold Plated Jewellery

Water itself isn't the main culprit when it comes to damaging gold plating, but it does play several roles in the wear process:

• Moisture Exposure: Repeated exposure to water can eventually work its way between tiny, invisible gaps in the gold plating, potentially causing the base metal to oxidise or the plating to separate.
• Water Quality: Hard water contains minerals that can leave residue on your jewellery, dulling its shine. Chlorinated water (in pools and some tap water) is particularly harsh on gold plating.
• Hot Water: The heat from a shower can accelerate chemical reactions and cause the gold layer to wear more quickly, especially when combined with soaps and shower products.
• Drying Process: If water is left to air-dry on gold plated jewellery, it can leave water spots or mineral deposits that dull the finish of your beautiful gold bracelets or necklaces.

Shower Products: The Hidden Threat to Gold Plating

While water alone can gradually affect gold plating, it's the products we use in the shower that pose the greatest risk:

• Soaps and Body Washes: Many contain chemicals that can be harsh on gold plating. The cleaning agents designed to remove oils from your skin can also strip away the protective qualities of the gold layer.
• Shampoos and Conditioners: These often contain sulfates and other compounds that can accelerate tarnishing and wear of the gold plating on your gold necklaces.
• Exfoliants and Scrubs: The abrasive particles in these products can physically scratch and wear away the thin gold layer through repeated use.
• Bath Bombs and Oils: While luxurious for your skin, these often contain colorants, fragrances, and oils that can leave residue on gold plating or react with the metal underneath.

Even if you're careful, shower products can build up in the crevices of your jewellery, particularly in chain links, clasps, and around stone settings. This buildup not only dulls the shine but can eventually lead to discoloration of the base metal showing through.

Daily Care Tips for Gold Plated Jewellery

The Ideal Routine

To keep your gold plated pieces looking their best:

1. Remove all gold plated jewellery before showering, swimming, or exercising.
2. Put your jewellery on after applying lotions, perfumes, makeup, and hairspray.
3. Wipe each piece with a soft, lint-free cloth after wearing to remove oils, sweat, and residues.
4. Store pieces individually in the provided Ella & Eve gift boxes or soft pouches to prevent scratches.

Gentle Cleaning When Needed

If your gold plated jewellery needs cleaning:

1. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap in lukewarm water.
2. Dip a soft cloth in the solution and gently wipe the jewellery (don't soak).
3. Rinse briefly with clean water, being careful not to leave the piece in water.
4. Immediately dry thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth.
5. Allow to fully air dry before storing.

Extending the Life of Your Gold Plated Treasures

Beyond keeping your gold plated jewellery away from the shower, these practices will help maintain its beauty:

• Rotation is Key: Give your favourite pieces a break by rotating through your collection. This reduces wear on any single item and is the perfect excuse to expand your collection with our Buy 1, get 50% OFF a second piece! offer.
• Avoid Chemical Exposure: Keep gold plated jewellery away from household cleaners, chlorine, and even hand sanitizers, which can be particularly harsh on the plating.
• Mind Your Activities: Remove gold plated pieces before gardening, cooking, sports, or any activity where they might be exposed to chemicals, excessive sweat, or physical impact.
• Be Mindful of Friction: The gold layer can wear down from repeated rubbing against skin, clothing, or other jewellery. Consider which pieces might experience the most friction based on their location and design.
• Consider Re-plating: If a cherished piece has begun to show wear, professional re-plating is an option to restore its golden glow.

The Ella & Eve Touch: Gifting, Value & Style

Every Ella & Eve gold plated jewellery piece comes with our complimentary gift box and branded gift bag. These aren't just beautiful packaging – they're ideal for proper storage to protect your gold plating when not being worn.

Our gold plated collection offers affordable luxury without compromising on style or quality. Each piece is designed to bring joy for years with proper care. Looking to expand your collection or find the perfect gift? Take advantage of our current offer: Buy 1 piece of jewellery, get a second piece 50% OFF! It's the perfect opportunity to pair complementary pieces or try different styles.

Your Gold Plated Jewellery Questions Answered

If I accidentally shower with my gold plated necklace, is it ruined?

No, a single shower won't immediately ruin your gold plated jewellery. Simply dry it thoroughly as soon as possible with a soft cloth. It's the repeated exposure over time that gradually wears down the plating.

How long will gold plated jewellery last?

With proper care (including avoiding showers), gold plated jewellery can maintain its appearance for one to two years of regular wear. With exceptional care and occasional wear, it can look beautiful for much longer.

Is gold-filled jewellery more shower-resistant than gold plated?

Yes, gold-filled jewellery has a substantially thicker layer of gold than gold plated pieces, making it more durable and resistant to water exposure. However, even gold-filled jewellery benefits from being removed before showering for maximum longevity.

Can I swim in a pool or the ocean with gold plated jewellery?

Swimming poses even greater risks than showering. Chlorine in pools is particularly damaging to gold plating, while salt water can accelerate tarnishing. Always remove gold plated jewellery before swimming in any body of water.

Embrace Gold Elegance with Ella & Eve

While showering with your gold plated jewellery isn't recommended, this small care step helps ensure your beautiful pieces remain stunning for longer. By taking a moment to remove your jewellery before stepping into the shower, you're protecting your investment and preserving the beauty that drew you to these pieces in the first place.

Browse our stunning collection of gold plated necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and anklets – each designed with care to bring a touch of affordable luxury to your everyday style.