Why You Should Keep Your Jewelry Away from Chlorine (and What It Actually Does)

“Take care of your jewelry, and it will take care of your memories.”
- Unknown

If you’ve ever heard that chlorine is bad for your jewelry, you're probably wondering... why? What is it about a swimming pool or a hot tub that can mess up something made of metal?

Here’s the simple truth: chlorine is a harsh chemical, and it reacts with the metals that gold and silver are mixed with. That reaction can cause real damage over time - not just tarnish, but actual weakening or breakage.

Gold Jewelry: Chlorine Can Literally Make It Crack

Most gold jewelry isn't made from pure gold. That would be way too soft to wear every day. So jewelers mix gold with other metals like copper, silver, zinc, or nickel to make it stronger - that’s what you get in 10k, 14k, or 18k gold (More on that here).

The problem is: chlorine reacts with those other metals.
Over time, this weakens the structure of the piece. In hot water (like in a hot tub), that reaction speeds up even more. The result is something called stress corrosion cracking - tiny cracks that form inside the metal where you can't see them... until the piece just breaks.

If you've ever had a gold ring snap or come apart at the solder seam and thought, “But I barely wear it!” - chlorine could be the reason!

Even short, repeated exposure (like washing dishes with bleach-based cleaner or swimming regularly) can cause this kind of damage.

Silver Jewelry: Tarnish Is Just the Beginning

Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper). That copper is what makes silver strong enough for everyday wear - and it’s also what reacts with chlorine.

When silver comes into contact with chlorine (especially in pools or cleaners), it causes a chemical reaction that speeds up tarnishing. Instead of slowly turning that soft gray patina over time, it can go dark almost overnight - even black in some cases.

That’s just the surface. Over time, chlorine can also:

• Pit or corrode the silver

• Eat away at plated finishes (like rhodium or gold plating)

• Damage soldered joints and clasps

It doesn’t matter if it’s a custom ring or a basic chain - silver and chlorine don’t get along.

So What Should You Do?

Here’s how to protect your jewelry from chlorine damage:

• Take it off before swimming, hot tubs, or cleaning. Even low levels of chlorine can build up damage over time.

• Rinse it well if you forget. If your jewelry does end up in a pool or cleaning spray, rinse it right away with plain water and dry it completely.

• Avoid bleach, even in small amounts. Household cleaners, disinfecting wipes, and even some soaps contain chlorine or chlorine-based ingredients.

• Polish silver regularly. Use a soft polishing cloth to keep tarnish in check before it builds up.
  

Can Chlorine Damage Be Fixed?

It truly depends on the extent of the damage.

• Light tarnish or dullness can usually be cleaned and polished at home or by a jeweler.

• Broken solder joints or bent metal may be repairable, but it often requires professional work - especially with gold jewelry that’s been weakened by chlorine over time.

• Cracks or deep corrosion usually mean the metal has been structurally compromised. In those cases, full repair may not be possible, or the cost might outweigh the value of the piece.

If you're not sure whether a piece can be saved, don’t guess - reach out. A clear photo and a quick look can often show what’s fixable and what’s not.

Bottom Line

Chlorine is great for cleaning your pool, but not for keeping your jewelry clean. It causes real, irreversible damage to gold and silver - especially when it’s warm or repeated over time.

Whether you’re wearing solid gold, sterling silver, or something custom-made in my studio, keeping it away from chlorine is one of the easiest ways to help it last a lifetime!