A: Durable materials like platinum and fine gold should be fine as long as you take them off before going in the water. It's the same with diamonds or precious stones because they're harder materials. No damage can come to a diamond ring at the beach.
DON'T Wear Your Ring in Salt Water
Rose gold is especially sensitive to salt water as it will corrode much faster than traditional yellow or white gold. Salt water can also damage the overall appearance of your diamond by dulling the stones and causing them to become less shiny.
We've repaired jewelry with saltwater damage a few times already this summer. We wanted to post this as a public service announcement… don't wear your jewelry in the ocean or in swimming pools! Exposure to saltwater and chlorinated water can erode the soldered joints of most jewelry.
Never Wear Your Ring in the Pool or the Ocean
Even if you're in shallow water, your ring will likely be lost forever as it gets swept up in the current and sand. The same rule applies to the pool. The ring can slip right off.
Salt water can make your diamond look cloudy and the chlorine and chemicals in swimming pools and hot tubs can damage the metal of the ring itself. If you're planning on a swim, maybe leave your ring at home just to be on the safe side.
Dull Diamonds
The Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness ranks diamonds as the hardest stone, making them highly resistant to scratches and damage in comparison to other stones. Nonetheless, the harsh chemicals in chlorine pools can have a negative interaction with any treatments that have been done on your diamond.
It's not just chlorine that can damage your gold jewellery and diamonds; saltwater can damage them too. Salt causes erosion of soldered gold, silver or platinum elements. As a result, the precious metal may weaken meaning your jewellery could potentially break.
The salt in ocean water will corrode metals and leave them weakened and tarnished. Saltwater poses a particular risk for jewelry made with blue or rose gold, both of which are gold alloys. Blue gold uses iron and rose gold uses copper, both metals that salt will quickly corrode.
Typically, solid gold, gold-filled, platinum, or sterling silver jewelry can handle a bit more water. Be careful with plated jewelry, as plating can wear off, and what's left underneath can tarnish over time. Brass jewelry is better to avoid mixing with water, though it can be cleaned.
Even though you expose your diamond engagement rings to grains of sand when you're on the beach, it will not have any significant effect on the diamond(s). However, you need to be careful so the sand doesn't scratch the precious metal.
Can you wear diamond studs or a diamond ring in the shower? You should remove your diamond studs or other diamond jewelry prior to showering. When diamonds are exposed to natural oils, certain soaps, and lotions, it can leave a film over the diamond resulting in less brilliance and sparkle.
We do not recommend that any fine jewelry be worn in public swimming pools or hot tubs. Chlorine is a corrosive chemical - it won't do any harm to diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and some other gemstones, but it is not good for your white or yellow gold to say nothing of sterling silver.
The answer to the question, “Is it safe to wear my jewelry in the pool?” is a resounding, “No.” We do not recommend swimming with your jewelry on for two big reasons.
Diamonds, for example, fair poorly when exposed to salt. These chemicals could potentially eat away at the fine polish that gives diamonds their beautiful shine and luster. Many precious metals, as well, don't react well to be exposed to salt.
Metals will corrode in ocean water and become weaker and tarnished as a result. Jewelry made with blue or rose gold, both of which are gold alloys, is particularly vulnerable to saltwater damage. Copper and iron are the two metals used to make blue and rose gold, both of which are easily corroded by salt.
When washing your hands with gentle soap and warm water your engagement ring is totally fine; no need to stress about taking it on and off. You should definitely be taking your engagement ring off to apply hand sanitizer, however.
Instead, opt for tarnish-free jewelry like stainless steel, solid gold, or titanium, which provide long-lasting and wearable options for waterproof accessories that fit your lifestyle and aesthetic.
With 10K 14K or 18K solid yellow gold, there's very little to worry about when it comes to sand or water. Be careful with gold plating, as exposure to water, chlorine and salt all chip away at it over time and you will have to get your accessory re-plated entirely if that's the case.
Whether you are frolicking in the ocean waves or doing laps in a pool, leave your gold jewelry at home or in your room safe. Pure gold, also known as 24-karat (K) gold, does not react with salt or chlorine.
While your diamond won't be damaged by exposure to sand or salt, it's possible that prolonged exposure can cause weakening of the metal. Sand and salt combined with sunscreen can have the effect of sandpaper if your jewelry pieces are exposed to them and not properly cleaned.
Too Much Sunscreen
Sunscreen is water and chlorine resistant, so it's going to be rough on your bridal bling. If you get sunscreen on your diamond engagement ring, it forms a film over the diamond, preventing it from sparkling and shining as it should.
Whether you are frolicking in the ocean waves or doing laps in a pool, leave your gold jewelry at home or in your room safe. Pure gold, also known as 24-karat (K) gold, does not react with salt or chlorine.
Even though you may want to wear your gorgeous sterling silver jewelry at all times, it is crucial to take it off before swimming in the pool or ocean. Exposure to chlorine and saltwater can significantly damage your jewelry. You also want to avoid wearing your silver jewelry in hot tubs.
It's no secret that salt is corrosive, and saltwater is no different. Sterling silver that comes into contact with salt water can cause your jewellery to darken and oxidise more quickly than it would normally. It can also leave a residue on your jewellery that will speed up the tarnishing process over time.
After the Beach
Use a soft damp cloth or soft bristle toothbrush to gently wipe off any jewelry you wore at the beach. This will help ensure that any sunscreen, salt or sand residue is wiped off and won't continue to corrode the jewelry and will help maintain the natural shine of the metal and stones.