The stone itself is perfectly fine in water. The setting, the finish and your earlobe have a harder time. Soap, shampoo and chlorine make cubic zirconia look dull and wear down the gold layer faster. Sleeping in small, flat studs is usually fine, but it is better to take out hoops and earrings with protruding parts before bed. Below you can read why, and how to keep them beautiful for as long as possible.
Can cubic zirconia handle water?
Yes, the crystal itself does not dissolve or change colour in water. A quick shower does the stone no harm. The problem lies in what is in the water.
Soap and shampoo leave a thin film on the underside of the stone. That is exactly where the light enters. If there is a layer there, less light bounces back and your earring suddenly looks grey. That is not damage, but it does take away the shine.
Fuse Push Back Earrings Zirconia
What about chlorine and salt water?
Swimming pool water contains chlorine. It reacts with silver and can darken the metal. Salty sea water dries and leaves tiny grains in the small corners of the setting. So it is better to go swimming with bare ears.
What does water do to silver and the finish?
The earrings in this collection are made of 925 sterling silver. That is 92.5 percent pure silver with a little other metal for strength. Silver slowly discolours through contact with air and moisture. This is called oxidation and it is completely normal.
On top of the silver is a gold plated or rhodium plated finish. Gold plated is a layer of 14 carat gold. That layer wears faster if you get it wet and soapy every day. The plating of hoops and studs comes with a 6 month guarantee, and manufacturing defects with a 2 year guarantee. So good care really makes a difference.
How to clean them again
Place your earrings briefly in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap. Gently brush the back of the stone with an old, soft toothbrush. Rinse them and pat them dry with a soft cloth. You will find more tips in the article about cleaning and caring for your jewellery.
Can you sleep in cubic zirconia earrings?
That depends on the design. Small, flat studs lie fairly flat against your ear. Many people sleep in them just fine. Still, the back of a push back clasp can sometimes press into your skin when you lie on your side.
Hoops and earrings with a charm are a different story. They catch more easily on your pillowcase or your hair. The ring can then bend a little, or the clasp can open under pressure. You can read how such a clasp is built in how a hoop earring opens and closes.
Which earrings are most comfortable in bed?
For the night, choose a small, smooth design. The less sticks out, the less can catch. A pair with a round, sleek setting is more comfortable than an irregular shape. Still, the advice remains: give your ears and your jewellery a rest at night.
Sport, sauna and swimming
You sweat during sport, and sweat contains salt. That salt stays behind in the setting and around the clasp. You also easily knock against a ball, a towel or a sports bag.
In the sauna, the metal gets hot. Silver conducts heat well, so your earlobe feels it right away. That is why you should also take your earrings out before the sauna. Glass with a reflective layer is even more sensitive to water and heat. You can read about that in the article on the difference between cubic zirconia and crystal.
A fixed routine
The simplest rule is: jewellery goes on last and comes off first. Put on your perfume, body lotion and hairspray first. Let everything soak in for a moment and only then put in your earrings. In the evening, take them out before you shower.
Store each pair separately in a pouch or a compartment. That way the stones do not scratch against other jewellery. This routine takes half a minute a day, and your earrings stay clear for years.
Botanic Stud Earrings Zirconia
Quality starts with the making
A good setting holds the stone firmly, even when you clean it. That is why the founder regularly visits the workshops in Italy, Bangkok and Hong Kong. She tests the materials and checks every detail, from the clasp to the setting.
Which earrings do you choose for every day?
Looking for a pair you wear almost all the time? Then choose a small design with a push back clasp and a sleek setting. It sits comfortably and does not catch on anything. Browse the cubic zirconia studs and hoops in the collection and pick the size that suits your day.
Frequently asked questions about showering and sleeping in cubic zirconia
I'm happy to answer a few frequently asked questions:
Is showering once with earrings a problem?
No. Once does no harm. Do rinse them afterwards and pat them dry, so no soap residue stays behind.
Is rhodium plated more resistant to water?
Rhodium is a hard, bright metal and wears more slowly than a gold layer. Even so, this finish also stays most beautiful when you keep it dry.
My earring has gone dull, what now?
Usually there is a layer of soap or skin oil on it. Clean it with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush. If it stays dull, ask customer service for advice.
Want to know more, or have questions? The experts at Sparkling Jewels are happy to help.
