Can You Get Pearls Wet? Swimming, Showering, and Sweat, Explained

A brief splash of fresh water will not ruin real pearls, but you should not swim, shower, or exercise in them. Pearls are made of nacre, a natural material laid down in thin layers, and it is the chemicals that travel with water, such as chlorine, salt, soap, and shampoo, that gradually strip its lustre. Here is exactly what water does to pearl jewelry, what to do if yours get wet, and a simple summer routine that keeps them glowing for decades.

Can you shower with pearls on?

No, you should take pearls off before showering. Plain water alone is not the main problem; soap, shampoo, and conditioner are. They leave a film on the surface of the nacre that builds up wash after wash, slowly dulling the sheen that makes a pearl look like a pearl. Hot water and steam also encourage that residue to settle into the tiny gap where the pearl meets its setting.

The same logic applies to washing your face or doing dishes: a quick, accidental splash is nothing to worry about, but repeated exposure to soapy water is what ages pearls prematurely.

Can you swim with pearls on?

Swimming is the one to avoid completely. Chlorinated pool water is actively corrosive to nacre; with repeated exposure it can etch the surface, leaving pearls chalky and dull, and the damage is not reversible. Salt water is gentler than chlorine but still leaves salt crystals on the surface and in the drill holes as it dries.

Chlorine is also unkind to the rest of the piece. Prolonged pool exposure can wear at 18k gold plating and tarnish sterling silver faster than everyday life ever would. If you are heading to the pool or the sea, leave your pearls in a soft pouch in your bag, and put them back on when you are dry. Our pearl travel guide covers how to pack them safely for exactly these trips.

What about sweat, rain, and humidity?

Sweat is mildly acidic, so a hard workout in pearls is worth avoiding, but ordinary summer wear is fine. Pearls formed underwater; humidity does not hurt them, and they actually prefer it to bone-dry storage. Getting caught in the rain is harmless too. The rule of thumb: incidental moisture is fine, sustained exposure plus chemicals is not.

After a warm day of wear, give pearls a quick wipe with a soft, dry cloth before putting them away. That single habit removes sweat and skin oils before they can settle in, and it takes five seconds.

What to do if your pearls get wet

If pearls get splashed or rained on, simply pat them dry with a soft, lint-free cloth and let them air-dry fully before storing them. If they have been in a pool or the sea, wipe them promptly with a cloth barely dampened with fresh water to lift the chlorine or salt, then dry them the same way.

Two things not to do: do not use heat (no hairdryers, no radiators), as rapid drying can stress nacre, and do not seal damp pearls in an airtight box or bag. If your pearls are strung on silk, note that soaking weakens and stretches the thread over time, which is a bigger practical risk for a strand than the pearls themselves.

Water and the rest of the piece: silver, gold plating, and thread

Most pearl jewelry is more than the pearl. At Pearl Luna every piece is made with 925 sterling silver, finished in some cases with 18k gold plating, and never brass. Sterling silver tolerates water well but tarnishes faster when it is stored damp; plating lasts dramatically longer when it is kept away from chlorine and soap. So the habits that protect your pearls, taking them off to swim and shower and wiping them after wear, are exactly the ones that keep the metal bright too. For the full routine, see our guide to caring for freshwater pearl jewelry.

A simple summer routine for pearls

Jewelers have a saying: pearls go on last and come off first. Put them on after sunscreen, perfume, and hairspray have dried, and take them off before you swim, shower, or sleep. Wipe them with a soft cloth at the end of the day and store them in a breathable pouch, not an airtight container.

That is the entire routine. Freshwater pearls are more durable than their reputation suggests, which is why they work so well as everyday jewelry rather than special-occasion pieces. Browse our freshwater pearl collection, or start with a pair of pearl earrings, which conveniently see the least splash exposure of any jewelry you own. Many of our most-loved pieces are in the under $100 collection, so an everyday pearl does not need to be a precious-occasion purchase.

Frequently asked questions

Can you wear pearls in the shower?

No. While plain water will not destroy pearls, soap, shampoo, and conditioner leave a residue that dulls the nacre with repeated exposure. Take pearls off before showering and put them on once you are dry. An accidental splash at the sink, however, is completely harmless.

What happens if pearls get wet in a pool?

Chlorine is corrosive to nacre and can permanently dull a pearl's lustre with repeated exposure, while also wearing at gold plating and silver. If pearls do go in a pool, wipe them promptly with a cloth dampened in fresh water, then pat dry and let them air-dry fully.

Can you sweat in pearl jewelry?

Everyday summer wear is fine; pearls handle warm, humid days well. Sweat is mildly acidic, though, so avoid intense workouts in pearls and wipe them with a soft, dry cloth after wear. That quick wipe removes sweat and skin oils before they can settle into the nacre.

Does water damage freshwater pearls more than saltwater pearls?

No. Freshwater and saltwater pearls are both made of the same material, nacre, and they respond to water, chlorine, and soap the same way. Care rules are identical for both: no swimming or showering, wipe after wear, and store them dry in a breathable pouch.

How do you dry pearls after they get wet?

Pat them gently with a soft, lint-free cloth, then let them air-dry completely at room temperature before storage. Never use a hairdryer or place pearls near heat, and never store them damp in an airtight bag. If pearls are strung on silk, lay the strand flat while it dries.