5 things you need to know about tarnish-free jewellery
What metal jewellery is waterproof? Want affordable gold jewellery that doesn’t tarnish? We’ve got you. Aurnia’s timeless, anti-tarnish gold pieces are more sustainable and higher in quality than your average high street offering. But what does it take to be truly tarnish-free - and more importantly, waterproof? Here are 5 things you need to know about our long-lasting, tarnish-free gold jewellery...
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What does tarnish-free mean?
Tarnish-free means no change of colour or loss of lustre
In a nutshell, anti-tarnish jewellery means it won’t turn your skin green or become dull and fade over time. It’s made from materials that don't lose their colour or lustre.
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Does this mean Aurnia’s gold jewellery is waterproof?
Aurnia jewellery is waterproof and doesn’t tarnish
If you’re on a budget, you may be tempted to go for cheap gold-plated jewellery made from copper or nickel. However, this isn’t waterproof and is prone to oxidization and is likely to lose its coating over time, leaving you with tarnished pieces.
Aurnia gold jewellery is different. Our pieces are made from high grade, PVD-plated stainless steel – 10 times stronger than usual plating types.
This means you can wear Aurnia jewellery in the pool on holiday and still come up looking like a gleaming gold goddess. Just make sure you follow our jewellery care guide to keep it feeling brand new.
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What metal jewellery is waterproof?
It’s all about the metal type
Not all metal is made equal! Make sure you know the differences.
Solid gold
We won’t deny it, solid gold is your best bet for waterproof jewellery. Its purity means it won’t fade or tarnish, however it comes with a hefty price tag that, let’s face it, most of us can’t really afford.
Stainless steel
A highly durable metal, stainless steel is resistant to corrosion. In scientific terms, it’s an iron, carbon, magnesium, and chromium alloy. But not all stainless steel is made equal.
Some is a lower grade, meaning it’s more likely to tarnish. This is where our jewellery is different. All Aurnia pieces are made from PVD-plated, high grade 316L stainless steel, which makes them not only water-resistant, but 10 times stronger than other plating.
Platinum, Palladium, Titanium, and Aluminum
You may see some gold jewellery made from platinum, palladium, titanium, or aluminium. These are also strong, sturdy metals, so still a good choice for jewellery that won’t tarnish or react to water.
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What to look for when buying waterproof jewellery
Always read the label
You don’t need to take chemistry lessons to know how to avoid overpaying for gold-plated jewellery that won’t last. Just focus on the metal content itself.
Brass or copper content? Avoid! This will react to water giving you green skin.
Does the brand tell you what the metal content is? If it says nothing, that’s a red flag! It should list the grade of stainless steel – check it’s a high grade 316L and PVD-coated like ours.
And look out for glue. This will weaken over time, especially when exposed to water.
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So, can gold jewellery tarnish?
Some gold jewellery can still tarnish
The answer is yes, if it has standard gold plating that wears off, or if it's an alloy that contains metals that are not resistant to water - unlike our pieces.
Higher in quality and composition, Aurnia gold jewellery staples are built to last and with proper care, will shine for years to come.