Can You Swim with Gold Jewelry? Chlorine, Salt Water and Sunscreen

You can swim with solid gold jewelry without the gold dissolving or rusting, but it is better to take it off first. Chlorine can weaken the other metals in 14K gold over time, salt water and sand dull the finish, sunscreen leaves a film, and cold water makes fingers shrink so rings slip off and are lost.

In short: water itself is not the problem for real gold. The chemicals, the abrasives and the risk of losing a piece are. Below we explain each risk, what to do if you forget to take your jewelry off, and how to clean it afterward.

Why swimming is different from showering

Many people wear solid gold in the shower every day without issue, and we explain why in can you shower with 14K gold. A swimming pool or the sea is a different environment. Pool water is treated with chlorine, sea water is salty and full of sand, and you spend longer in the water while moving vigorously. Each of those factors affects jewelry in its own way.

Chlorine and pool water

14K gold is 58.5 percent pure gold, which is why it is stamped 585. The rest is a mix of metals such as silver, copper and zinc that give the alloy its strength and color. Pure gold is very resistant to chlorine, but those alloy metals are not as resistant.

With repeated exposure, chlorine can:

• Dull the surface and leave a cloudy or slightly discolored look
• Attack solder joints and stressed areas, such as the base of prongs or the joints of a clasp
• Over long periods, contribute to small cracks in metal that is under stress, a process jewelers sometimes describe as stress corrosion

A single swim will not ruin a piece. The concern is habit: wearing the same ring or chain in a chlorinated pool several times a week for years. Hot tubs are harsher still, as the water is warm and often more heavily treated. If you want to understand the alloy in more detail, our article on what 585 means on gold explains it.

Salt water and sand

Sea water is less aggressive to gold than chlorine, but it brings its own problems.

• Salt residue dries in the gaps between chain links and around stone settings, leaving a dull film.
• Sand is abrasive. It scratches polished surfaces and can work its way into clasps, making them gritty and harder to close.
• Waves pull. A breaking wave can snag a chain or pull a bracelet open. Once lost in the sea, a piece is almost never found.

Sunscreen, lotions and oils

Sunscreen is the hidden reason many people find their gold looks dull after a holiday. Lotions and oils leave a film on the metal that traps dirt and hides the shine. It does not damage solid gold itself, but it builds up behind stones, clouds CZ and natural stones, and collects in textured or diamond-cut finishes. The fix is simple: put sunscreen on first, let it dry, then put jewelry on, and clean pieces after a beach day.

Risk summary

The real danger: losing your jewelry

The most common swimming story we hear is not about damaged gold. It is about a lost ring. Cold water makes fingers shrink, and sunscreen makes skin slippery, so a ring that fits perfectly on land can slide off with one stroke. Earrings with loose backs and bracelets with worn clasps are close behind.

If you do want to wear something small to the beach, choose pieces that sit close and fasten securely, such as small studs or snug huggie earrings, and keep rings and long necklaces in your bag. Check that your ring fits properly in the first place; our ring size guide explains how to measure accurately.

14K Solid Gold Ball Stud Earrings View Ball Stud Earrings on Etsy 14K Solid Gold Huggie Hoop Earrings Thick Domed Band View Huggie Hoop Earrings Thick Domed Band on Etsy 14K Solid Gold Sleeper Earrings Square Edge Hoops View Sleeper Earrings Square Edge Hoops on Etsy

Browse more secure everyday styles in our earrings collection.

Take it off: a simple routine

1. Before you leave for the pool or beach, decide what stays home.
2. Put the pieces you bring in a small zipped pouch or a lidded case, not loose in a bag pocket.
3. Take jewelry off before applying sunscreen, and put it back on once your skin is dry.
4. Never leave jewelry on a towel or a lounger; it is easily shaken into the sand.

Our guide on how to store gold jewelry has ideas for travel cases that keep chains from tangling. If a chain does knot in a beach bag, see how to untangle a gold chain.

How to clean gold after swimming

If you forgot to take something off, do not worry. Clean it the same day.

1. Rinse under lukewarm fresh water to remove chlorine or salt.
2. Soak for a few minutes in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap.
3. Brush gently with a very soft toothbrush, paying attention to clasps, chain links and the backs of settings.
4. Rinse again and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Let it air dry fully before storing.

Avoid toothpaste, baking soda and bleach-based cleaners. For more detail, see how to clean gold jewelry at home. And if you are worried about discoloration, our article on whether 14K gold tarnishes explains what is normal.

Summer jewelry to wear after the swim

Once you are dry and back on land, ocean-inspired pieces are a natural fit for summer. Our starfish, dolphin and seashell designs are popular for holidays. Note that the seashell necklace includes a freshwater pearl, so it should stay well away from the water.

14K Solid Gold Starfish Pendant Necklace View Starfish Pendant Necklace on Etsy 14K Solid Gold Solid Dolphin Necklace View Solid Dolphin Necklace on Etsy 14K Solid Gold Seashell Necklace with Freshwater Pearl View Seashell Necklace with Freshwater Pearl on Etsy

Our new article on starfish jewelry meaning explains the folklore behind the design. Every piece we make is solid 14K gold stamped 585, never plated, so occasional contact with water will not wear a layer away. Taking it off before you swim simply keeps it looking its best and keeps it with you.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in a pool with 14K gold?

You can, but it is better not to. Chlorine can dull the finish and weaken solder joints over time, so take jewelry off before swimming.

Does salt water damage gold?

Salt water does not corrode solid gold quickly, but salt and sand can dull and scratch it. The bigger risk in the sea is losing a piece in the waves.

Is it safe to wear gold in a hot tub?

We advise against it. Warm, chemically treated water is harder on the alloy metals in 14K gold and on any stones.

What should I do if I swam with my gold jewelry?

Rinse it in fresh water, wash it gently in warm soapy water, and dry it thoroughly. Occasional exposure is not a cause for alarm.

Can pearls go in the water?

No. Chlorine, salt and sunscreen can all damage the surface of pearls, so remove pearl jewelry before swimming or applying lotions.