Waterproof Jewellery & Tarnish Free: What Do They Actually Mean?

Is it just me, or is the phrase waterproof jewellery everywhere at the moment?

I mean, it sounds great, doesn't it? Who doesn't want a waterproof jewellery collection that stays tarnish-free all day long, whether you're working up a sweat at the gym or relaxing with an evening tipple?

But the thing is, precious metals like silver and gold are naturally waterproof.

So what do brands mean when they say a ring or bracelet is waterproof?

And what should you be looking out for to find the best pieces for your tastes, budget, and lifestyle?

Let's get into it.

Precious metals are waterproof. Always have been.

 

Gold, silver, and platinum are precious metals that are inherently waterproof.  

You can wash your hands, get caught in the rain, or live your everyday life wearing them with absolutely no issue.

Things get a little more complicated when we throw chemicals into the mix

Chlorine in hot tubs, swimming pools, and spas can cause silver to tarnish and turn black.

Saltwater, soaps, and cleaning products can accelerate wear on plated jewellery over time.

However, pure gold and platinum are highly stable and don’t tarnish in water at all.

So when a piece is described as waterproof, it isn’t usually about water alone. It's more about the chemicals we may find in the water, and the type of plating that may have been used in your jewellery.

What is plating? 

Plating means coating a base metal, like brass or stainless steel, with a layer of gold or silver.

While the precious metal plating itself is waterproof, it gradually wears away through everyday use. Once exposed, brass can oxidise and tarnish (it's water-resistant, rather than waterproof). 

That’s why plated jewellery isn’t truly waterproof in the long term, whereas solid silver, gold, or platinum is the same metal all the way through, with nothing to wear off.

So, here's what waterproof jewellery usually means

Most of the time, waterproof is shorthand for one of the following:

1. A base metal with a heavy plate

Many pieces labelled as waterproof are made from brass or other base metals, then heavily plated with gold or silver.

A thick silver or gold plate can delay tarnishing, make a piece more durable, and keep the price low.

2. PVD coating

PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) is a modern coating process in which a super-thin layer of metal (often 18k gold) is bonded to the surface of a piece of jewellery in a vacuum chamber. 

This creates a harder, more durable coating than traditional electroplating and is typically used on stainless steel or brass jewellery.

PVD coatings are tougher than standard plating, so they’re often described as water-resistant, waterproof, or tarnish free, as they cope better with everyday wear.

PVD is probably the best plating, but it's still plating. It's not the same as solid precious metal, where the colour, value, and integrity run all the way through the piece rather than sitting on the surface.

Over time, PVD will eventually degrade, and it can’t be polished back because the underlying metal is different. Durability varies, but you're typically looking at two to 10 years, whereas solid gold and silver jewellery can last a lifetime with proper care.

3. Clever marketing

Waterproof sounds more reassuring and higher quality than:

• Gold-plated brass/stainless steel

• Fashion jewellery

• Costume jewellery.

It’s not necessarily misleading, but it can be confusing and vague. If you're unsure of the base metal, plating thickness, or how it’s made, you’re not 100% clear on what you’re buying.

For solid silver, gold, or platinum, water isn’t an issueSilver - fine in everyday water, but best removed for swimming and hot tubs (due to the chemicals that can cause it to tarnish heavily).

High-quality jewellery costs more. That’s just a fact 

Jewellery made from precious metals costs more because you're using more of the pricier materials. 

In fact, the cost of silver, gold, and platinum continues to rise, and we choose not to dilute quality to chase a lower price point. 

At Kate Smith Jewellery, we don’t skimp on materials:

• Our jewellery is made primarily in solid silver and gold

• We always choose recycled silver and gold where it's available

• 99.5% of our collection is made from solid precious metals - just one piece is silver-plated.

Customers shop with us because they understand the value of investment pieces and special occasion gifts. 

Yes, it's more expensive upfront, but it lasts and lasts, offering excellent cost per wear (especially because we design our pieces to be part of your everyday signature style).

Fast fashion vs lifetime value

A quick caveat. I am absolutely not bashing other types of jewellery - there's a place for everything, and there's nothing wrong with a summer necklace or a fun bangle.

However, if you’re replacing the same pieces every year or so because they're tarnished, it's often a false economy.

If your budget allows, choosing fewer, better-made pieces can mean less waste and a lower long-term cost per wear. Not to mention making you feel like a sustainability hero ;) 

Sustainable luxury

Talking of sustainability, a huge part of it is about making the most of what we already have.

A large proportion of the silver and gold we use is recycled precious metal.

We also offer a remodelling service to breathe new life into old jewellery or inherited pieces you don't wear, reducing the amount of newly mined metal used.

If you have other jewellery not suitable for remodelling, we can even offset the cost of this and use it elsewhere in the workshop, keeping good-quality precious metal in circulation. 

So… is waterproof jewellery a gimmick?

No, not exactly, but it's essential to understand what you're buying to make the most of your budget and choose something that suits your lifestyle.

Unless it’s solid gold, silver, or platinum, it’s not going to be 100% waterproof forever. 

If you want something fun for a season, go for it. If you want something you’ll still be wearing in ten, twenty, or thirty years, do your homework and prioritise quality.

TL;DR

• Precious metals like silver and gold are waterproof

• Chemicals in hot tubs, pools, and spas can tarnish silver, so remove silver jewellery before a dip  

• Waterproof jewellery usually refers to plating, not the base metal used

• PVD is the most durable coating, but it's still a coating and will eventually degrade

• Precious metals cost more because they're worth more

• Quality jewellery is an investment or a deeply meaningful gift

• Recycled metals and remodelling are powerful sustainability choices.

If you’d like help understanding materials, remodelling something you already own, or choosing a piece designed to last, book a free consultation with me or browse the collections now.