Waterproof Jewellery for Swimming: The Care Guide

Summer in Australia means one thing for me: I'm basically living in the water. Pool laps in the morning, beach on weekends, and somewhere in between, my jewellery is coming along for the ride. For years I'd take everything off before jumping in, leave it on the edge of the pool, and inevitably lose an earring or forget a ring on the sand. Not ideal.

So when we started making waterproof jewellery for swimming at The Littl, the whole point was that you shouldn't have to think about it. Put it on, get in the water, get out. Done. But after ten years of making 14k gold-filled pieces (and fielding a lot of questions about what "waterproof" actually means), I want to give you the honest care guide. Because yes, our jewellery can handle the water. And a few simple habits will keep it looking brand new for years.

What Makes Jewellery Actually Waterproof?

Not all waterproof claims are equal, so let me be straight with you here.

Gold-plated jewellery has a microscopically thin layer of gold over a base metal. Water, sweat, and chlorine wear that layer off fast, usually within weeks or months. That's when you get the green skin, the tarnish, the irritation.

Our pieces are 14k gold-filled, which is a completely different construction. There's a solid layer of 14k gold bonded under heat and pressure to a brass core. Legally, gold-filled jewellery must contain 1/20th gold by weight, that's 100 times more gold than plating. Water doesn't strip it. Sweat doesn't strip it. That solid gold layer stays put.

So when we say our jewellery is designed for the water, we mean it. But "waterproof" doesn't mean "indestructible", and a little care goes a long way. (If you want the full breakdown on materials, our post on gold-filled vs gold-plated is worth a read.)

The Short Answer on Swimming

Yes, you can wear your 14k gold-filled jewellery swimming. Ocean, pool, lake, it can handle them. The gold layer won't react with fresh water or salt water the way plating does. Your pieces won't turn green or tarnish from a swim.

Chlorine is the one thing worth paying a little attention to. It won't ruin your jewellery in a single swim, but heavy, repeated exposure over time can gradually dull the surface. If you're a serious lap swimmer doing daily pool sessions, a quick rinse after is genuinely all you need.

Step-by-Step: How to Care for Your Waterproof Jewellery

1. Rinse after chlorine or salt water

After a pool or ocean swim, run your jewellery under fresh water for a few seconds. That's it. You're washing off any chlorine residue or salt before it has a chance to sit on the surface. Takes ten seconds and makes a real difference over time.

2. Pat dry, don't leave it wet

Water itself is fine. Water sitting on your jewellery for hours while it air-dries is less ideal. Give it a quick pat with a soft cloth after you rinse. Nothing fancy, a clean face cloth works perfectly.

3. Keep perfume and sunscreen off the metal

This is the one most people miss. Perfume and SPF are the bigger culprits than water for dulling gold-filled pieces over time. Get dressed, spray your perfume, apply your sunscreen, then put your jewellery on. Simple order change, big difference in longevity.

4. Give it a gentle clean every few weeks

Warm water, a tiny drop of mild dish soap, a soft cloth. Rub gently, rinse, pat dry. That's the whole routine. No ultrasonic cleaners, no harsh chemicals, nothing abrasive. Our full guide on how to clean gold-filled jewellery has everything if you want the details.

5. Store it properly when you're not wearing it

Flat, not tangled. In a pouch or a jewellery box, away from direct sunlight. Tangled chains scratch against each other, storing them flat keeps everything in better shape between wears.

What to Avoid

A few things genuinely worth skipping:

• Sitting in a hot tub with your jewellery on. Hot tubs use heavy chlorine and the heat accelerates how it interacts with metal, this is the one water situation I'd actually take pieces off for.
• Spraying perfume directly onto jewellery. Alcohol in fragrance is harsh on the surface over time.
• Leaving pieces in a damp pile. That post-swim "I'll deal with it later" situation is where tangling and moisture damage happen.
• Cleaning with anything abrasive, rough cloths, toothbrushes, baking soda pastes. Gold-filled is durable but the surface doesn't need that kind of treatment.

Our Favourite Pieces for the Water

If you're building a collection that genuinely lives at the beach with you, these are the ones I reach for.

Our 20mm Open Hoop Stud Earrings are a forever piece for exactly this reason, 14k gold-filled, comfortable enough to sleep in, and they look just as good on day ten of a beach trip as day one. The 20mm is the sweet spot between subtle and actually visible through your hair. (We also have the 30mm version if you want a bit more presence.)

For a necklace that handles constant wear, the Bead Chain Necklace in 14k Yellow Gold Fill is a consistent favourite. The bead chain sits beautifully and the gold-filled construction means salt water and sunscreen aren't going to touch it.

Browse the full summer jewellery collection if you want to see everything that's designed for everyday wear in and out of the water.

A Note on Freshwater Pearls and Swimming

Worth mentioning separately because pearls are a little different. Real freshwater pearls are porous, and prolonged soaking in chlorinated water can affect their lustre over time. Our pearl pieces are fine for occasional splashing and everyday wear, but I'd take them off for serious lap swimming. Save the Azalia Freshwater Pearl U-Threader Earrings for the ocean walk, not the pool session.

Got questions about a specific piece? Send us a message, we've been making jewellery for ten years and genuinely love helping people figure out what's going to work for their life, not just their Instagram.

What's the one piece you never take off at the beach? I'm genuinely curious.

P.S. If your jewellery has already seen better days from a summer of swimming without the rinse routine, don't stress. A gentle clean with warm water and mild soap will usually bring it straight back. Start fresh and it'll last you years from here.