Sterling silver is a popular choice for jewellery and for good reason - it’s attractive, elegant, durable and high-quality.
Some people like to wear their treasured sterling silver jewellery at all times so that they don’t forget to put it on. This even includes wearing it in the shower! However, we explore why it might not always be a good idea to shower with sterling silver.
Can you shower with sterling jewellery?
Showering with sterling silver jewellery won’t necessarily harm the metal. However, silver is a natural metal and therefore reacts with certain things. The water can oxidise the silver, meaning it is likely to tarnish and will therefore start to darken. There’s also the risk of dropping or losing your jewellery, so we would recommend taking off your sterling silver jewellery before showering.
What to be wary of when showering with silver jewellery
Chlorine, salts and harsh chemicals
Some water may contain chlorine or other chemicals which can damage the silver if you shower with it.
‘Hard water’, which is common in the South and East of England, has a high mineral content, making it more likely to affect the look of silver. If you know that your water is hard, you should definitely remove your jewellery before showering.
Soaps, shower gels and shampoo
Another thing to consider is the chemicals in your soaps, shower gels, shampoos and other cleaning products. Sterling silver is a delicate metal and any strongly perfumed or fragranced shower products may be too harsh for your jewellery.
Dropping jewellery in the shower
You should also be wary of wearing delicate sterling silver jewellery in the shower in case you drop it. A simple pair of studs or a dainty ring could easily wash down the drain and disappear forever!
We therefore recommend removing your sterling silver jewellery and putting it in a safe place before showering.
What to do if your sterling silver gets tarnished
If you have showered with your silver jewellery and the colour has changed or the metal has tarnished, do not fear! Silver which has tarnished can be easily cleaned, especially if you act quickly when you first notice it.
Polishing your sterling silver jewellery is the best way to restore its shine and prevent further tarnishing. For more information on looking after your sterling silver jewellery, you can visit our jewellery care page or read our blog on how to clean silver jewellery at home.
If you’re currently looking for new, elegant sterling silver jewellery pieces, you can browse our new arrivals.
