I am often asked: "Is your jewelry waterproof?"

Let us be open and lay all the facts on the table.

To be honest, I don't like the term "waterproof" that much for jewelry. After all, jewelry is mostly made of metal and cannot keep out water - neither from the outside nor from the inside.

So if you wear your jewelry in the swimming pool, the sea or the lake, you have to accept the reality: the water can have an effect on the jewelry.

The only metal that is non-reactive is pure, solid 24-karat gold. However, it is also very soft and delicate for everyday use, which is why it is not used as often in jewelry making these days.

My gold jewelry is made of fine silver coated with 24-carat gold. This means that they are of high quality and the gold plating is long-lasting. However, I recommend removing the jewelry when bathing or swimming to preserve its beauty for a long time.

My silver jewelry is made of either fine silver (the leaf jewelry is all made of 999 silver) or sterling silver. They have also been treated with an oxide to create different shades of color.

In principle, silver - especially fine silver - can withstand water. However, the color shade does not like moisture. Water can make the shade darker and grayer and ultimately fade. This does not change the silver itself, but the look of the piece of jewelry will be different.

So what is the right answer to the question: "Can I wear my jewelry while swimming?"

It's up to you! I know this may not be the answer you were expecting, but ultimately the decision is yours, as pure metal is not affected by water. However, the color shade of silver leaf pieces may suffer from the treatment.

Some customers say they don't mind if their jewelry changes over time. Others want to keep the color shades in their original state for as long as possible and take their jewelry off when bathing or showering. They store it in a jewelry box or case when they are not wearing it.

I hope this information helps you make an informed decision!