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This waterproof silver jewelry is perfect for everyday wear and vacations.

Waterproof Silver Jewelry
If you want to wear your silver jewelry at the beach, it should be waterproof. Photo: Getty Images

July 11, 2025, 2:09 pm | Read time: 5 minutes

You never want to part with your jewelry, even at the pool or beach? Then make sure to opt for waterproof jewelry. Learn how to care for it and discover the most beautiful pieces to shop for on STYLEBOOK.

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Not every silver piece of jewelry is made for sun, sand, and sea. If you don’t want to leave your favorite jewelry behind on vacation, pay close attention: Which types of silver are truly waterproof? Which materials withstand chlorine, sweat, sunscreen, and saltwater without tarnishing? This article provides everything you need to know about waterproof silver jewelry and the top 5 brands you can rely on.

What Types of Silver Jewelry Are There?

Sterling Silver

The most well-known is sterling silver (925 silver). It consists of 92.5 percent pure silver alloyed with other metals, such as copper. Pure silver (999) is too soft for jewelry making, so it is rarely used in this form.

Silver-Plated Jewelry

Silver-plated jewelry is made from a base metal, such as brass, coated with a thin layer of silver. However, this layer can wear off over time.

Platinum-Coated Silver Jewelry

Platinum-coated or rhodium-plated silver jewelry is additionally protected by a layer of precious metal. These variants are more robust, tarnish-resistant, and retain their shine longer.

When Does Silver Jewelry Tarnish?

The reason for the so-called tarnishing (dark discoloration) of silver is a natural chemical reaction. It occurs when silver reacts with sulfur compounds in the air or on the skin. Moisture, cosmetics, perfume, or sweat accelerate this process. Saltwater is more aggressive on silver than chlorinated water because it contains additional minerals and microorganisms that attack the surface more strongly.

Is Genuine Silver Jewelry Waterproof?

Genuine silver jewelry is generally not waterproof. While it doesn’t rust, contact with water can cause it to tarnish, become dull, or discolor. Rhodium-plated or platinum-coated silver jewelry, on the other hand, is significantly more resistant to external influences and is usually considered waterproof.

The Higher the Silver Content, the More Waterproof?

On the contrary: A high silver content does not prevent tarnishing. Pure silver tarnishes particularly quickly because it is very reactive. Silver-plated jewelry is especially vulnerable, as the thin silver layer wears off quickly. The key to durability is not the silver content but a protective coating.

What Types of Protective Coatings Are There?

In the jewelry industry, genuine silver jewelry is often coated with a protective layer to make it more robust and waterproof. Rhodium plating is particularly common, where a thin layer of a platinum metal is applied to the silver. This reliably protects against tarnishing, maintains the shine, and makes the jewelry less susceptible to moisture, sweat, or cosmetics.

How to Recognize Waterproof Genuine Jewelry

You can tell if a piece of genuine silver jewelry is truly waterproof by the product description. Terms like “rhodium-plated,” “platinum-coated,” or “tarnish-protected” indicate a high-quality protective layer.

Only Stainless Steel Is 100 Percent Waterproof

Stainless steel jewelry is considered extremely robust and is generally completely waterproof. Stainless steel contains no silver but is an alloy of steel, chromium, and other metals that do not tarnish and are very resistant to water, sweat, and even chlorine or saltwater.

Is Waterproof the Same as Water-Resistant?

Waterproof means that the jewelry withstands occasional contact with water well, such as handwashing, showering, or swimming. Water-resistant, however, refers to products that are completely protected against water penetration. Jewelry is generally never 100 percent water-resistant.

Also interesting: This waterproof jewelry is suitable for everyday and vacation

The Top 5 Brands for Waterproof Silver Jewelry

Thomas Sabo

The popular brand stands for playful, high-quality genuine jewelry with a distinctive design. Many pieces are made from 925 sterling silver and are refined with rhodium or yellow gold to protect them from tarnishing. Particularly popular and well-known are the individually combinable charm bracelets as well as delicate rings and pendants in the boho style.

Luuk Lifestyle

The German brand Luuk Lifestyle offers a high-quality jewelry line made from 925 sterling silver. The delicate designs, often with symbolic pendants like guardian angels or palm trees, stand for minimalism and convey an individual, personal meaning.

Purelei

The brand specializes in waterproof jewelry in silver and gold with a Hawaiian style. Thanks to high-quality materials, such as stainless steel with silver or gold plating, you can wear the jewelry pieces while swimming or showering without any problems.

iCrush

iCrush impresses with particularly delicate designs that are very easy to combine. The jewelry pieces are mostly made from stainless steel, but also from 925 sterling silver and are often additionally rhodium-plated or gold-plated, making them resistant to moisture and wear.

Bonnybird

Bonnybird is a German jewelry brand known for high-quality, waterproof stainless steel jewelry. Most pieces are made from 316L surgical steel, a corrosion-resistant and skin-friendly material that neither tarnishes nor discolors. Due to its nickel- and lead-free composition, the jewelry is also particularly suitable for sensitive skin. Additionally, the brand places special emphasis on sustainability: For every piece sold, a tree is planted.

What to Do with Tarnished Genuine Silver?

Tarnished silver jewelry is not necessarily completely lost. With special silver polishing cloths or silver baths, the dark coating can often be removed relatively easily. Home remedies like baking soda, toothpaste, or baking powder can also help, but only with genuine silver, not with delicate coatings. To be safe, have heavily tarnished jewelry professionally cleaned by a jeweler.

More on the topic

How to Properly Care for Your Silver Jewelry

  • Remove jewelry before showering, bathing, or exercising
  • Avoid contact with perfume, hairspray, or creams
  • Wipe with a soft cloth after wearing
  • Store in an airtight bag or jewelry box
  • Regularly polish with a silver care cloth
  • A professional cleaning by a jeweler once a year can work wonders

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of STYLEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@stylebook.de.

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