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IMO, there's nothing worse than discovering that new ring you bought has turned your finger green. Praise be, in those instances, for the best tarnish-free jewellery. vacuum coating technology
As summer nears and we all intend on being in the water more often than out (be it in the pool or sea on holiday or in a cold shower at home to escape the heat), jewellery that won't discolour, rust or oxidise is an absolute must.
Don't get me wrong, solid gold and silver jewellery is always worth the investment – and it makes great gifts for her, gifts for mums and gifts for sisters – but there lies the clue: it can often be pricey. Tarnish-free jewellery does what it says on the tin and tends to be much more affordable, so if you plan on treating yourself to a few new sparkly accessories for SS24, this is what you should look for.
There's such thing as PVD – Physical Vapour Deposition – which is a coating process, often used atop highly resistant and durable stainless steel, and is supposedly 10 times stronger than other methods. Jewellery brands like D.Louise and Hey Harper use it on all of their pieces and claim it's totally ‘life-resistant’.
It's a lot different to the technique gold or silver-plated jewellery receives, but, in the same way that you would with those, you can still sweat, shower and spend your summer at the beach wearing PVD pieces without having to worry.
Plated jewellery is still tarnish-resistant, but it won't stay that way forever. While you absolutely can wear a gold-plated necklace in the shower more than a handful of times without it going brassy, eventually it will start to dull. If you're someone who literally never takes their jewellery off, even to switch it up, then PVD-coated or stainless steel pieces like the ones below are probably more suited to you.
Paperclip Bracelet 14k Gold PVD Coated Stainless Steel
Oval Signet Ring 18k Gold Plated Stainless Steel
Not all of the tarnish-free jewellery brands we've mentioned use the PVD method, but that doesn't mean they're any less long-wearing. We've tested most, so we would know, just look out for the pieces marked ‘Tested By’ (read more about how we test here) alongside them for reassurance.
For more from GLAMOUR UK's Senior Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.
Why it's tarnish free: The higher the gold plating the better, and this one features 18k on top of recycled silver. Sweat-proof gold jewellery? You've got it.
Why it's tarnish-free: This bestseller bracelet is handcrafted from 100% recycled solid sterling silver. You'd assume it'd be less hard-wearing as it's recycled, but Monica Vinader provides a five-year waranty guarantee.
Tested by: Samantha Reynolds, Office Manager and PA to European Editorial Director. “Monica Vinader's Signature Bangle is a permanent fixture on my wrist whether I'm swimming, at the gym, shopping, having dinner and so on. I can’t tell you the amount of compliments I get, too. I wear mine as a duo – the 925 sterling silver and the 18k gold vermeil – and have been doing so for years, and to my pleasant surprise neither have tarnished; a quick clean with a silver cloth and they look as good as the day I bought them.”
Save when you shop for tarnish-free jewellery with these Monica Vinader discount codes.
Why it's tarnish-free: Crafted from 18k gold plated vermeil (high quality, pure or sterling, silver that is plated with a thin layer of gold), these hoop earring huggies come with a two-year warranty.
Why it's tarnish-free: Strung on an 18k gold-plated sterling silver necklace, the beads that adorn this piece are also tarnish resistant as they're actually precious gems.
Tested by: Georgia Trodd, Senior Commerce Writer. “I love anything made with precious gemstones, but I'm always worried that they're going to break. This necklace has proven that, despite its delicate look, the stones are actually really heavy duty. I'll be wearing it all summer.”
Why it's tarnish-free: It's made from 925 sterling silver which is a lightweight metal made of 92.5% pure silver. It's highly durable and designed for everyday wear, so if you're looking for waterproof jewellery here it is.
Tested by: Ali Pantony, Website Director. “I wear this chunky ring pretty much every day and don't take it off when I wash my hands or use sanitiser. I've owned it for at least a year and I've not noticed a change in its colour at all.”
Why it's tarnish-free: Made from silver and gold plated brass, this bracelet is great for everyday wear and is water-resistant.
Tested by: Georgia Trodd, Senior Commerce Writer. “I wasn't expecting much from this stretch-style bracelet, but I've honestly worn it more times than I can count and it hasn't changed colour at all. Highly recommend as a treat for yourself or someone you love.”
Why it's tarnish-free: 18k gold plates these sterling silver earrings, making them resistant to tarnishing as well as cute to wear.
Why it's tarnish-free: Made with 18k gold, 18k rose gold and 18k white gold, creating a mixed-metal effect, this necklace is totally tarnish proof.
Save when you shop for tarnish-free jewellery with these Liberty discount codes.
Why it's tarnish-free: Usually when something is gold plated and affordable, the metal beneath will be something like brass. In this case, however, it's sterling silver - so it's even less likely to tarnish.
Why it's tarnish-free: Made from stainless Steel with a 14k gold PVD coating, this bracelet comes with a lifetime guarantee. You don't get better than that.
Why it's tarnish free: Meticulously handcrafted by skilled Balinese silversmiths, each delicate earring is made from pure sterling silver.
Why it's tarnish free: It's crafted from 18k gold plated recycled sterling silver, making it slightly more sustainable as well as resistant to tarnishes. Heads up: it looks super cute stacked with the brand's other gold pieces.
Why it's tarnish-free: Nickel-free and plated with 18k gold, this ring is made from stainless steel. It promises to be water, sweat and heat-resistant.
Save when you shop for the best tarnish free jewelry brands with these Abbott Lyon discount codes at checkout.
Why it's tarnish free: Plated with 14k gold, you can wear your Pandora charm bracelet in the water and find it comes out good as new. You might still need to wipe it down with a cleaning cloth to occasionally remove some oxidisation though.
Why it's tarnish free: Underneath the 18k gold plating on these earrings is sterling silver, so not only are they tarnish free but they're also hypoallergenic too.
Why it's tarnish-free: Crafted from gold-tone metal, if you're looking for initial necklaces that you can wear virtually every day then Roxanne Assoulin is your gal.
Why it's tarnish-free: You wouldn't assume this adjustable ring could be made from anything tarnish-resistant, but you'd be wrong; it's crafted with 18k gold plated solid silver.
Why it's tarnish-free: These on-trend earrings make a change from dainty gold hoops and are made from 14k gold plated brass so that they remain shiny and lightweight. Tarnishes where?!
Why it's tarnish-free: Made from stainless steel with a 14k golden colour PVD coating, this ring is resistant to nearly anything you throw at it.
Tested by: Georgia Trodd, Senior Commerce Writer. “Another one of my everyday go-tos, this ring is a favourite because it's just as shiny as it was when I first wore it. Even with the amount of products I apply to my hands on a day-to-day basis.”
Why it's tarnish-free: Handcrafted from Ankole Cattle Horn that has been discarded as a by-product of the agricultural industry, so no animals were harmed in the making, these huggie hoop earrings are tarnish free because there's hardly any metal in them at all.
Tested by: Georgia Trodd, Senior Commerce Writer. “This non-profit brand invests in female entrepreneurs facing two major barriers to business opportunity: lack of education and lack of capital. Each product is handcrafted by women in Kamuli, Uganda who were previously living below the poverty line and now earn a living wage to support themselves and their families. As a result of sales, they also have access to business education and have the ability to save money in order to start their businesses - how can you not approve of that?”
Why it's tarnish-free: Sustainably and ethically produced, using recycled sterling silver and responsibly sourced thick 18k gold plating, this ring is basically end-of-the-world proof.
metalizing plastic Tested by: Georgia Trodd, Senior Commerce Writer. “I've been lucky enough to test a few things from this brand now, and each time I'm amazed at how affordable it all is in comparison to the quality. I've not had a single piece lose its lustre or go green yet, and I doubt I will.”