The water can oxidise the silver, meaning it is likely to tarnish and will therefore start to darken. There's also the risk of dropping or losing your jewellery, so we would recommend taking off your sterling silver jewellery before showering.
Shower water
is generally fine - there aren't any super harsh chemicals in our tap water that would react significantly with your sterling silver jewelry. The soap and water can even help wash away any residue from your skin and dirt in the air that can also cause your silver to look dull.
While 925 sterling silver can withstand the natural water from a shower, it should never be worn in a swimming pool or any other body of water that is treated, such as a hot tub or mineral spring.
Sterling silver does not tarnish immediately when it comes in contact with water or other chemicals. However, over time, the jewelry will start to show signs of wear and tear. If you are constantly getting your sterling silver wet, it will tarnish more quickly.
Sterling silver jewelry can absolutely be worn every day! In fact, many people enjoy the look of sterling silver because it's understated and timeless. Plus, it's easy to care for and can be worn with just about anything.
Sterling silver is gorgeous, versatile, affordable and extremely durable. If you look after your jewellery and make sure that you avoid contact with certain chemicals, your jewellery can be worn all day, every day with no issues! You can even wear your sterling silver jewellery to bed.
How often should you clean silver? Polishing silver once a year should be enough to keep it in good condition. But, if once a year doesn't satisfy your cleaning compulsion, an easy way to maintain the shine of your silver is to wash it with good old water. You can safely do this as often as 2–6 times in a year.
Plastic and glass jewelry are generally okay to wear in the shower and at the beach. Simply wipe them down when you dry off or take them out to air dry. Be careful of any baubles or filigree that may come loose or be damaged on glass and plastic pieces. Stainless steel is also a go for showering.
Never wear your sterling silver jewelry in a hot tub, mineral spring, swimming pool, or any other chemically treated water. Wearing your jewelry often, may be one of the best ways to keep it looking beautiful and reduce tarnish buildup.
You want to avoid putting chemicals on your jewelry, especially lotions and perfumes, because they often lead to buildup on your pieces and may dull a little of the shine. Ideally, I would recommend you remove your jewelry before washing your hands. If not, it's OK, but rinse and dry your hands super well.
In conclusion, while it may be tempting to keep your favorite 925 sterling silver pieces on at all times, it's best to remove them before showering. The combination of soap, shampoo, hot water, steam, and general wear and tear in a shower environment can lead to tarnishing, discoloration, and physical damage.
Sterling silver normally lasts 20 to 30 years if the owner cares well for it. However, your sterling silver can last forever if you care for it properly. Made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, sterling silver requires some special care. If you own any sterling silver jewelry, you should know how to care for it well.
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.
Since 925 sterling silver is almost pure silver, it's likely to have a lesser reaction to water. This means that it's completely okay to get this type of sterling silver wet. Just be sure to dry it off as much as possible after!
Sterling silver tarnishes when exposed to salty air, chlorine, sulfur, humidity, perspiration, cosmetics, household bleach and other strong chemicals.
Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizers
Free chlorine radical is very reactive and could cause tarnishing of jewelry. This is especially important if you wear a ring made from sterling silver, as chlorine-based compounds are much more likely to tarnish sterling silver.
"If you're wearing jewelry made of solid gold, gold fill, or sterling silver, the sweat and oils from your skin won't damage it," explains Lisa Rueff, a yoga teacher, jewelry designer, and founder of Collective Hearts, a jewelry brand that also hosts charity wellness events in the San Francisco Bay Area.
High-quality sterling silver jewelry can last a lifetime if properly cared for. Although it may tarnish over time, regular cleaning and polishing will help keep your jewelry like new. Simple regular cleaning with a soft cloth and mild soap will keep your sterling silver shining.
Using sterling silver alloys
It's standard practice to alloy pure silver with harder metals to improve its strength. Pandora jewellery regularly uses sterling silver: the world's most popular silver alloy.
Platinum. Similar to gold, this is a precious metal that won't tarnish or react to water. Platinum jewelry is so resilient that it can even withstand the most corrosive elements.
The advantage of stainless steel over sterling silver or any other jewelry is that stainless steel is a metal that does not tarnish nor corrode by chemical reaction with water or other substances like perfume or creams.
Moisture in the air or on the skin can react with the copper present in all Sterling Silver jewelry, causing a green discoloration. This is a fairly common complaint in hot, humid climates and can also affect individuals with particularly moist skin.
Sterling silver is better than silver when designing and wearing jewelry because it's stronger and can look good for a lifetime. Fine silver jewelry is easily damaged and not the best choice to wear on a regular basis. Sterling silver is also better for setting gemstones.
Pure silver is not susceptible to tarnish in a pure oxygen environment. However, the copper that is contained in 925 sterling silver may react to the ozone and hydrogen sulfide in the air and cause sterling silver to tarnish. Perfumes, hair sprays, and profuse sweating can also cause a quicker formation of tarnish.