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‘I’ve been wearing waterproof jewellery non-stop for two months – here’s my honest review’
Did it shine or tarnish?
Working for the Good Housekeeping Institute, lots of products with interesting claims pop up my inbox or come across my desk. And as someone who loves a gold accessory, when I heard about waterproof jewellery, I knew I needed to try it out and see if it lived up to its bold “tarnish-free” claims.
I’ve always wanted to be the sort of person who wears their jewellery to the gym, or for lounging on the beach. There’s just something so nonchalantly glamorous about it. But without the budget to ensure all my jewellery is sold gold (which is a genuinely waterproof metal), the fear of tarnishing makes me wary.
Let's be honest, the excitement that comes with buying a new necklace or ring quickly disappears when it starts staining your skin and looking rusty within a matter of wears.
So, to see if waterproof jewellery really is all that, or if its lustre would fade quickly, I tried a few pieces from Hey Harper and gave them the good old fashioned GHI treatment at home. You'll find my honest review below, but first...
What is tarnish-proof gold jewellery?
Plated jewellery can lose its colour because the base metals used react to water, your skin and general wear. To make plated accessories that don't leave a green tint on your skin or lose their coating after approximately one wear, brands have developed a clever technique called PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition).
Generally, there's still a stainless steel base, but it's coated in a more resistant and sturdy way to maintain the colour for longer. In fact, Hey Harper says it’s 10 times stronger than the traditional techniques, and the brand is so confident about this that it offers a lifetime colour warranty. Big claims.
How did I test it?
It was a rainy Saint Swithin's day when I started trying out my new jewellery, and when I went on a very damp run that evening, I feared that rain would prove its main nemesis. Luckily, the weather picked up (a bit), so I managed to test the accessories in a range of conditions, from sweaty late-summer days to autumn showers.
My "scientific" study involved wearing several pieces of jewellery for a couple of months. I tried Hey' Harper’s Daphne Ring, Meg Necklace and Dove Huggie gold hoops. I’ve barely taken the earrings off (apart from when I absolutely had to wear a different pair for sartorial reasons) – I’ve slept in them and showered in them. With the ring and necklace, I’ve also worn them consistently, on runs and in the shower, but not overnight.
And then taking inspiration from the expert testers I work with day-in day-out, I left all three pieces submerged in a bowl of water for a full working day, to see if they survived.
The verdict on waterproof jewellery
This is going to be a relatively short verdict. I really tried to find fault with this jewellery – “Surely, it couldn’t actually be tarnish free,” I said to myself.
But I haven't seen any colour change on any of the pieces, not even the earrings that I’ve lived in continuously. The range has entirely lived up to its claims.
Even its shine hasn’t dulled – which is great if you’re lazy like me and don’t clean your jewellery as often as you probably should.
I’m a complete convert. For my next beach holiday, you’ll find me absolutely dripping in gold chains, and I now regularly model myself on the glamorous, bejewelled Olympians who graced our screens over the summer when I work out.
While I just tried Hey Harper, there are a few other brands that use a similar technique – I've included a mix of places to shop tarnish-free jewellery below, so you can find the right styles for you.
Best waterproof jewellery brands
Our pick: Nassau, £51
This the brand I tried, and as waterproof jewellery is its USP, it has designs for everyone. Look out for offers where you can save if you buy more than one piece – this is a great option if you want to layer up your necklaces or grow your ring stack.
Pieces also come with a lifetime warranty, giving you peace of mind they won't stain your skin.
Our pick: Jewells Chain, £39.99
This affordable brand punches way above its price point when it comes to quality. Pieces feel sturdy and keep their shine shower after shower, and there are so many styles to choose from. I love the beaded necklaces, but this chunky chain looks luxury for less than £40.
Our pick: Signature Name Necklace, from £79
Abbott Lyon doesn't specify the plating method it uses, but it still offers a two-year warranty so you should get plenty of wears from its pieces.
The brand has lots of initial and name designs, and it offers free personalisation, making it a one-stop shop for thoughtful gifts, or just a more unique piece for your own collection.
Our pick: Daisy Strata Square Pendant Necklace, £69
This whole collection looks just as good with a swimsuit as it does with a dress on a night out. It’s designed in collaboration with swimwear brand Away That Day, so being waterproof was non-negotiable really.
Our pick: LUXE Rope Pearl Drop Necklace, £60
Orelia uses PVD plating for its waterproof jewellery range, and its pared back, but trend-led collection is full of instant classics – whether you want a pearl drop necklace, interlocking rings, or a chunky gold chain for layering.
Our pick: Stainless Steel Initial Necklace Gold, £16
If there's one place on the high street that you can rely on for a quick jewellery fix, it's Accessorize.
So we were excited to discover it now stocks waterproof designs. Again it's all down to PVD and while it's a small collection, the staples (think chains, bangles, initial necklaces) are all covered.
Our pick: Ottoman Hands Shell Earrings, £95
These shell pendant earrings are the perfect summer accessory that won’t tarnish if you wear them in their spiritual home, the sea. The best way to jazz up an evening outfit on holiday or bring a little beach to a summer night in the city, I want a pair in silver, too.
Our pick: Create Your Own Bracelet, £26.99
All Katie Loxton's jewellery is coated with PVD, so you don't need to worry if you're shopping from its waterproof collection or not. There are lots of designs to discover – we're particular fans of the charm bracelets and necklaces, which you can personalise with up to eight engraved letters, numbers or symbols.
Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.
Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.
Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
