Can You Swim with Your Gold Chain? 

We get many customers who ask us if it is OK to swim with their gold chains. The answer we always give is: it depends. Here’s why.

Gold chains come in various metals, from yellow gold, white gold, sterling silver and even platinum. But why is swimming with a solid gold chain even an issue? Well, it’s not if it’s solid yellow gold. But white gold chains may be another story. Why?

CHLORINE IN WATER CAN REACT WITH YOUR CHAIN

Wearing your gold chain in a swimming pool, you have to be mindful of chlorine in the water. While yellow gold chains are not at all a problem when it comes to chlorine and other harsh chemicals, white gold chains often contain certain alloys, like nickel, which can react to chlorine. In fact, even your household water, if it is city water, may contain chlorine, which is why we normally advise against showering with your jewelry, especially if it is a white gold.

STICK WITH SOLID YELLOW GOLD

If you are the type of person who never wants to remove their gold chain necklace (we often hear from customers who never remove their jewelry, even when sleeping), then stick with yellow metal. 10K, 14K, 18K and even 22K Solid Gold is not a concern when it comes to getting your necklace wet. Whether it is a gold link chain such as gold curb chain or a gold rope chain or something else, as long as it is pure solid gold, you can swim with your gold.

MAKE SURE YOUR CHAIN IS SECURE

So, yes, you can swim with your gold chain, but don’t lose it! Make sure when doing any kind of physical activity, that your chain is secure by checking the clasp and the spring on the clasp. While it is pretty difficult to lose your chain swimming, it can happen in rare situations.

CONSIDER A PLATINUM CHAIN

If you really want the white gold look and are a swimmer, consider a platinum chain instead. The only caveat here is that platinum is far more expensive than gold, because of its rarity and purity. Platinum chains are 95% pure platinum vs. 14k gold which is 58% pure. The rest are other alloys that are mixed with your jewelry. But platinum is a great choice because it will not react with chlorine and will maintain its metallic sheen. It is also among the most hypoallergenic of chains.

Category: Gold Chains, Gold Jewelry, Gold Necklaces, Jewelry Care, Jewelry Education, Jewelry Guide, Mens Jewelry