How to pick Gold Jewelry that suits you AND can shower in.

Have you ever had an experience where you purchased a brand new piece of gold jewelry and accidentally wore it into the shower, only to come out looking green? You might have also noticed this phenomenon when you wear your gold necklace out in the sun in summer with your newest summer fit, and come back with a green stain on your neck after sweating or a day in the sea.

For those who are aware of this situation, it would not be your first rodeo with gold jewelry, especially cheaper affordable gold jewelry. While it is not to say that all affordable gold jewelry will cause this issue, this is usually due to gold-foil over copper jewelry wearing off and oxidising. When exposed to water, the gold foil over the copper wears off, and the copper that is exposed to the elements oxidizes, thus leaving a trail of green wherever your gold necklace or gold bracelet has been on your body.

Generally, gold plating is the cheapest option to turn any jewelry into gold-passing jewelry. However, this method can backfire in the aforementioned situations where the gold foil wears off. It should be mentioned that this only occurs if the metal used beneath the gold foil is copper, as only copper is prone to oxidizing. Other metals such as 925 silver jewelry or pure sterling silver jewelry would only lose their gold foil but still not cause any loss of color on your skin.

That being said, some of us look for gold jewelry for the purpose of it staying gold for the foreseeable future due to its minimalist design and not having to repurchase the same design or multiple pieces to save space in our jewelry boxes.

To understand the different types of gold, we look to the USA standard for all gold jewelry. When a website mentinons 14K gold, the USA standard enforces that it must include 0.585% of pure gold alloyed with other trace metals to give it hardness. Those who have done their research or studied chemistry would know this to be due to gold being one of the softest, most malleable metals. The other typical number you would often see used is 18K gold, which is .75% pure gold with .25% trace metals used.

However, 14k gold jewelry may be out of budget for some of us. So how then do we ensure that we are picking the best gold jewelry suitable for our budget and our style, all while ensuring its water resistance?

Here are some handy tips to follow when you are next purchasing a new gold jewelry set or gold necklace, and how to check for their water resistance.

1. Budget Consideration

As mentioned, the budget is one of the main concerns when choosing a good piece of gold jewelry. Pure gold jewelry is the most water-resistant, but it is also the steepest in price. While there are more affordable options such as gold plating, these may cause issues such as oxidation. The easiest way to decide which type of gold jewelry is best suitable for you is to first decide how much gold the piece is using.

Here is a handy chart that can help you decide in terms of budget as well as the type of gold material, ranked from most to least gold percentage in the piece:

1. 24K Pure Gold – 100% made of gold, and 100% water-resistant due to the nature of gold

1. 24k Gold Pendants: ~$800 USD

2. 24k Gold Necklace: ~$2,500 USD

3. 24k Gold Bracelet: ~$2000 USD

2. Gold Filled – 80% gold filled, usually with 20% silver. While not entirely water-resistant, it should last up to 10 years without any of the gold peeling or fading off.

1. Gold Filled Pendants: ~$500 USD

2. Gold Filled Necklace: ~$1,800 USD

3. Gold Filled Bracelet: ~$800 USD

3. 14K Gold Vermeil – 50% gold, usually lasts at least 5 years with no issues.

1. 14k Gold Pendants: ~$200 USD

2. 14k Gold Necklace: ~$1,000 USD

3. 14k Gold Bracelet: ~$500 USD

4. 14K Gold Plated – Lowest gold content; highest risk of oxidation and green staining.

1. 14k Gold Pendants: ~$80 USD

2. Gold Plated Necklace: ~$200 USD

3. 14k Gold Bracelet: ~$300 USD

2. Type of Jewelry

Once you have decided on the type of material and its level of water resistance, you can start deciding on the design of the jewelry. If you are preparing for Euro summer or a trip to the beach with this new piece, it would be wise to pick a simple design with no dangling pieces. Consider a chain necklace, which is a timeless piece that not only adds a touch of sparkle to any outfit but can also be worn in water with no worries of any pieces dropping out or color fading.

If you do not plan to wear the necklace daily, you might be able to go for a bracelet such as the Small English Stirrup Bracelet that occasionally adds an additional touch to an outfit but is easy to take on and off whenever needed.

3. Style Suitability and Design

After you have decided on the type of gold jewelry, perhaps you can consider the design and if it suits you or the person you are gifting.If you are deciding on a gold jewelry piece as a gift, consider a 14k gold pendant that represents something that your person may appreciate. For example, if they love dogs, consider the Small Corgi Pendant for them to keep a piece of their pooch with them at all times. If you are buying a gift for a horse lover, consider a gold bracelet with a horseshoe as a lucky charm, which is a subtle nod to their interests.

If there is a design that you have in mind but are not able to find on our website at the moment, you are able to customize a piece of gold jewelry with your own touch and your material of choice based on your budget.

Hopefully, this guide is useful for you to pick your new piece of gold jewelry for your next water adventure, one that is both suitable for your OOTD and water-resistant enough for your activities.