by Jesús Zabala - 4 min read
Can You Workout With Sterling Silver Necklace?
Working out is healthy and beneficial for every person. But if you're a gym enthusiast who likes jewelry, particularly necklaces, you may be unsure about wearing sterling silver when training. So, can you workout with sterling silver necklace?
We will explore this and the composition and properties of sterling silver below. Join us and learn if your sterling silver necklace will be safe and untarnished even during workouts.
Can You Workout With Sterling Silver Necklace?
You can work out with a sterling silver necklace, mainly during low-impact exercises. These include the following:
If you intend to undertake high-impact workouts like weightlifting or running, it may be better to remove them. However, sterling silver is more durable, so there is less of a risk of damaging the necklace, as there is with pure silver.
Properties of sterling silver
Composition and durability
Sterling silver is real silver, but it is in an alloyed form, which makes it more durable and suitable for jewelry making. In fact, its alloy composition is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, like copper.
Fine silver (99.9%) is alloyed with copper to create sterling silver jewelry, which is recognizable by a 925 hallmark stamped on it. Sterling silver jewelry is incredibly popular due to its durability, aesthetic, and affordability.
Strength and malleability
If you have jewelry made from fine silver, it may get easily damaged if you work out in it, as it is incredibly malleable. On the other hand, sterling silver contains 7.5% copper, which increases its strength.
Sterling silver is harder and more durable, so our jewelry makers prefer to work with it. A necklace made from sterling silver is much harder to damage than one made from pure silver or gold.
While valuable and wonderful, both precious metals are soft, and even the slightest bump may dent them. With sterling silver, your jewelry is more durable, and its silver color will not be compromised because of the copper.
Does sweat tarnish sterling silver?
Excessive sweat, as is sterling silver, may somewhat affect all jewelry. Still, some jewelry materials fare better than others, including gold, silver, and sterling silver.
If you work out with your sterling silver jewelry, the sweat and skin oils will not damage the piece. Yet, prolonged wearing during exercise may cause sterling silver to tarnish due to the combination of oxidation and sweat.
When jewelry starts tarnishing, it will appear dull and gray or black. You might prevent this by regularly caring for and cleaning your sterling silver necklace.
If you notice a tarnish on your jewelry, you may rectify this with lukewarm water and mild soap. Apply the soap with a soft-bristled toothbrush, gently brush away the rust, and rinse the necklace with water.
When it comes to silver damage and rust, you are more likely to tarnish your jewelry in the pool or ocean than with sweat. Moreover, if you live in a warm climate with high humidity levels, it may tarnish your jewelry faster as it will cause you to sweat more.
Potential Issues of Wearing Sterling Silver During Workouts
Physical damage
Sterling silver necklaces may withstand more physical damage than those made with pure precious metals. However, it is not only dents to the jewelry that you need to worry about but also physical damage to yourself.
In other words, some jewelry pieces are safer to wear when working out than others. For instance, wearing long and chunky necklaces, hoop earrings, and bracelets can easily catch on gym equipment and be forcefully ripped from your body.
But dainty and shorter necklaces are a safe option as they are unlikely to get tangled or pulled off of your body. If you wear necklaces that may be pulled off easily, it may lead to bruises, skin tears, and possible injuries.
Skin irritation
The combination of sweat chemicals with the alloyed metal in sterling silver may lead to a reaction or skin irritation. This is possible even if you have not shown an allergy to the metal.
If your skin reacts to the metal after a workout, it may present as a rash with a bumpy and rough texture. The skin around your neck will appear swollen, pink or red, and itchy. If you notice your skin is irritated after working out with a sterling silver necklace, the best way to prevent it from happening again is by not wearing the piece again in the gym.
Beyond that, if you have yet to wear your sterling silver necklace when working out, you may try some preventative measures. The best way to minimize the risk of skin irritation is by applying a small amount of petroleum jelly to the skin around your neck.
Rust and discoloration
If your workouts involve swimming in chlorinated pools, the chlorine in the water may tarnish your sterling silver necklace. The metal reacts with the chlorine, causing rust and discoloration.
Also, if you swim in the ocean or the sea, saltwater can contribute to tarnishing. If you swim with your sterling silver necklace, rinse it thoroughly with fresh water afterward to remove salt residue.
Another way to prevent tarnish and discoloration on your necklace and skin is to coat your jewelry with clear nail polish. This is inexpensive and highly effective, although you may need to reapply the coat occasionally.
Conclusion
Can you workout with sterling silver necklace? Yes, you can, as long as you take proper care of your necklace afterward.
Without cleaning the sterling silver necklace regularly, tarnish may develop, which, in combination with sweat, may cause skin irritation. So, make sure to buy your sterling silver jewelry from a reputable source to avoid any damage to your necklace or skin.
Jesús is the founder and designer of JewelryLab. He is the Head of Design and also oversees production, quality control, and precious metal sourcing.
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