Can I Shower or Swim in Sterling Silver Lab-Diamond Jewelry?

ZKZ Editorial TeamMain answer · Product & gemmology desk

Short exposure to clean water will not damage the diamond, and a quick shower is unlikely to harm a piece. But sterling silver, its plating and the setting are more sensitive than the stone. Take pieces off for pools, hot tubs and the sea, and preferably for showers too. Leave small studs in only if you are happy to rinse and dry them regularly.

What is actually at risk

Fact Diamond is chemically very stable, so water, soap and pool chemicals do not affect the stone itself. Sterling silver is defined in the FTC Jewelry Guides as at least 925 parts per thousand pure silver. The remaining alloy, commonly copper, is what makes it react with sulphur compounds and chlorides and tarnish.

• Pools and hot tubs: chlorinated water can discolour silver quickly, and heat makes it worse. This is the main one to avoid.
• Sea water: salt leaves deposits in settings. Cold water shrinks fingers, which is a common way rings get lost.
• Shower products: shampoo and body wash leave a film under the diamond that makes it look dull, and soapy fingers let rings slip off.

A practical routine

1. Take rings and bracelets off before swimming, cleaning or applying lotion.
2. If a piece gets wet, rinse it in fresh water and dry it fully, including under the stone.
3. Store each piece dry and separate, ideally in a closed pouch.
4. Clean with warm water and mild soap every few weeks.

If a piece does go into a pool by accident, it is not ruined. Rinse it in fresh water as soon as you can, dry it thoroughly, and look at it in daylight the next day. Early discolouration on bare silver usually polishes off. On plated silver, patchy colour means the plating has been affected.

Where the limits are

Our advice Rhodium plating slows tarnish but is a thin layer. Frequent soaking and chemicals shorten its life, especially on ring shanks. Studs worn day and night are a reasonable exception if the backs are secure and you rinse and dry them periodically.

It depends How fast silver reacts varies with water chemistry, skin chemistry and how long the piece stays wet. We cannot give a safe number of swims. If you see darkening or a stone moving, stop wearing the piece until it has been cleaned or checked.

Sources

• 16 CFR 23.5, FTC Jewelry Guides: misrepresentation as to silver content ("sterling")
• FTC: In the Loupe, advertising diamonds, gemstones and pearls

Fact = stated by the cited source. Our advice = editorial recommendation. Uncertain / it depends = limits of what can be said in general.