Does Waterproof Jewellery Tarnish? Here's the Truth
You bought "waterproof" jewellery because you were sick of pieces going dull, discolouring, or leaving green marks on your skin. And now you're wondering: is it actually waterproof, or is that just marketing?
Fair question. After 10 years of making waterproof jewellery at The Littl (and wearing it daily in Sydney's salt air, humidity, and questionable amounts of sunscreen), here's what we've learned.
The short answer
Genuinely waterproof jewellery made from 14k gold-filled or solid gold doesn't tarnish under normal wear. That includes showers, ocean swims, sweaty workouts, and everything in between. But "waterproof" means different things depending on the material, and some brands use the term loosely.
What tarnishing actually is
Tarnishing happens when the metal in your jewellery reacts with oxygen, moisture, or chemicals in your environment. The result is that dull, darkened, sometimes greenish finish that makes a piece look old and worn.
Different metals tarnish at very different rates:
| Material | Tarnish resistance | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Gold-plated | Very low | Gold wears off in weeks, base metal tarnishes quickly |
| Sterling silver | Low to moderate | Darkens over time, accelerated by humidity and salt |
| Stainless steel | High | Rarely tarnishes, but can scratch and dull over time |
| 14k gold-filled | Very high | Thick gold layer resists all normal tarnishing |
| Solid gold | Excellent | Gold doesn't tarnish. Period |
Why gold-filled jewellery doesn't tarnish
The gold layer on gold-filled jewellery is 50 to 100 microns thick, about 100 times thicker than gold plating. Gold itself is one of the least reactive metals on earth. It doesn't oxidise. It doesn't react with water or sweat. That thick gold layer acts as a permanent barrier between the environment and the base metal underneath.
Our Freshwater Pearl Thick Hoop Earrings are a good example. We've had customers wearing them daily for four or five years, showers and ocean swims included, with zero tarnishing.
"I bought these earrings 4 years ago and they have been my favourite everyday earrings ever since. I wear them day in day out and have never tarnished. Always receiving compliments still!" Rebecca, on Butterfly Thick Hoop Earrings
What about sterling silver?
Sterling silver is a beautiful metal, but it tarnishes. There's no way around it. Exposure to air, moisture, and especially salt (hello, coastal Australia) accelerates the process. You can polish it back, but you'll be doing it regularly.
If you love the silver look but hate the maintenance, gold-filled in rose gold is a beautiful alternative. Or look for rhodium-plated sterling silver, which has a protective coating (though that coating does wear off eventually too).
The things that can cause tarnishing even on "waterproof" jewellery
No jewellery is completely invincible. Even gold-filled pieces can eventually show wear under specific, extreme conditions.
Daily exposure to harsh pool chemicals over years is one. Occasional pool swimming is completely fine. We're talking about lap swimming in heavily chlorinated water every single day for years.
Direct contact with bleach or cleaning chemicals is another. Take your rings off when cleaning the bathroom.
And prolonged contact with strong acids. Certain skincare products (retinol creams, AHAs) left sitting on jewellery overnight, every night, can dull the finish over a long period.
For normal everyday life, including showers, ocean, gym, and sleeping in your jewellery, gold-filled won't tarnish.
How to tell if "waterproof" jewellery is actually waterproof
Check the material. If it says gold-filled, solid gold, or surgical stainless steel, it's genuinely waterproof. If it just says "gold" or "water-resistant," ask more questions.
Be suspicious of very low prices. A $15 "waterproof" necklace is almost certainly plated, which means the waterproofing has a very short shelf life.
And look for the "remove before showering" warning. If a brand tells you to take it off around water, the piece is water-tolerant at best, not truly waterproof.
Frequently asked questions
Will my gold-filled necklace go green?
No. The green discolouration comes from copper in the base metal reacting with your skin. In gold-filled pieces, the thick gold layer prevents any contact between the base metal and your skin.
Does humidity cause tarnishing?
Humidity accelerates tarnishing on sterling silver and gold-plated jewellery. Gold-filled and solid gold are not affected by humidity. This makes gold-filled especially well-suited to Australian climates.
Can I prevent tarnishing on sterling silver?
Regular polishing with a soft cloth helps. Store in an airtight bag when not wearing. But if you want something you don't have to think about, gold-filled is the lower-maintenance option.
Browse our full tarnish-resistant gold-filled collection.
Written by Alice, founder of The Littl. Making waterproof, everyday jewellery in Sydney since 2016.