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17 tarnish-free jewellery brands we swear by for waterproof necklaces, rings and more
Trust us, waterproof and sweat-proof designs are a jewellery box must-have
We know the rules for gold and silver-plated jewellery – ‘remove before showering’, ‘keep away from soap and perfume’ – but sticking to them can be a little... well, unrealistic. Enter: tarnish-free jewellery, a true jewellery box must-have.
Waterproof and sweat-proof jewels are a real game changer no matter the time of year. Yes, they are especially useful in the summer as when vacationing, that often means sun, sand, salt, sweat and sunscreen. However, even in the winter, we more than appreciate not having to go through the faff of remembering to remove all our gems before getting in the shower or going to the gym.
We're not about gatekeeping, so we’ve rounded up some of our go-t0 jewellery brands offering the best tarnish-free accessories that are stylish, durable and affordable.
The best tarnish-free jewellery, at a glance
What is ‘tarnish-free’ jewellery?
The answer depends on who you ask. In its truest sense, tarnish-free means that the item won’t fade or discolour over time. Solid gold jewellery ticks the box, while cheaper copper rings can cause your fingers to turn that dreaded green hue.
Where it can get a little confusing is when brands use gold and silver plating (at a premium cost) over materials such as brass and sterling silver. Over time, even precious plating can start to wear away and cause the colour to fade (requiring effort to then clean your jewellery), making these pieces more tarnish-resistant than tarnish-proof.
What is PVD?
This stands for ‘physical vapour deposition’ (which is a bit of a mouthful), and refers to a process in which stainless steel is covered with a thin layer of metal. This type of coating can be up to 10 times stronger than regular gold or silver plating, and is highly resistant to tarnishing and scratching. The best part? It’s cheaper and lasts longer than plating.
So, now we truly understand what qualifies as tarnish-free jewellery, what are you waiting for? Right this way for the best jewellery brands offering waterproof pieces that will stay sparkly for years to come. That’s what we call perfect additions to your collection.
Quick tip: Most of these brands offer classic plated styles, too – so make sure you double-check the piece you’re eyeing up is tarnish-proof before buying.
Abbott Lyon
We love them for: Personalised necklaces
How it works: PVD
Prices start at: £39
Warranty? Yes
Known for its iconic personalised pieces and delicate layering necklaces, Abbott Lyon also has a collection of waterproof jewellery that features the highest standard of plating. The brand’s pieces even have an extra protective layer which means no tarnishing or green necks.
It also does some gorgeous Cartier watch lookalikes which we may or may not be eyeing up as our next little treat...
Missoma
We love them for: Delicate layering necklaces & celeb-approved pieces
How it works: 18ct gold vermeil over sterling silver; sterling silver styles are rhodium-plated
Prices start at: £35
Warranty? Yes
A cult favourite among the fashion set — and spotted on everyone from Hailey Bieber and Maya Jama to Kendall Jenner and Florence Pugh — Missoma has earned its place as the go-to tarnish-resistant demi-fine jewellery brand. Every piece is designed exclusively in-house at its London studio and handmade by skilled artisans using responsibly sourced, 100% recycled 14ct and 18ct gold vermeil and sterling silver.
Not strictly tarnish-free jewellery in the PVD sense, but Missoma's gold vermeil over sterling silver construction offers strong tarnish resistance at the demi-fine price point — making it one of the best options if you want jewellery that lasts.
When shopping Missoma, look for the gold vermeil styles for the best longevity, and store pieces away from moisture, perfume and sweat to maintain that just-bought finish. New customers also get an extra 10% off at checkout, and orders over £100 come with free standard shipping.
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Astrid & Miyu
We love them for: Eye-catching earrings
How it works: Rhodium-plating
Prices start at: £40
Warranty? Yes
With enviably cool pieces that are coveted by fashion editors, Astrid & Miyu is an industry favourite. Our top picks? The gorgeous huggie hoops that our fashion team can’t stop wearing. Plus, the brand also offers a 1 year warranty.
P.S. Make sure to check out our full Astrid & Miyu review here.
Ottoman Hands
We love them for: Bohemian, antique-inspired designs
How it works: Gold-plated – with the exception of the 14ct Solid Gold & Diamond Jewellery collection
Prices start at: £35
Warranty? One-year warranty
Ottoman Hands is the boho, antique-inspired jewellery label that fashion editors can’t stop talking about. Each piece has a vintage charm, crafted with semi-precious gemstones and maximalist designs, evoking that same thrill you get from a vintage market find.
The latest 14ct collection draws inspiration from the evil eye, designed to attract positive energy. Intricate lab-grown sapphire and diamond motifs make each piece as stunning as it is symbolic — and everything is tarnish-resistant, so they can be worn every day.
Orelia
We love them for: Chain necklaces and T-bar bracelets
How it works: PVD coated
Prices start at: £25
Warranty? Yes
Fashion girlies on Instagram can’t get enough of Orelia, and the brand’s Luxe range features PVD styles. The theme for the collection is ‘understated elegance meets vintage inspiration’, and pieces come with a two-year guarantee.
Mejuri
We love them for: Minimalist designs – stacking rings and huggie hoops
How it works: Solid 14k gold, gold vermeil, and sterling silver, with plating or rhodium coatings
Prices start at: £40
Warranty? Two-year warranty
If you lean towards sleek, minimalist jewellery, Mejuri deserves a spot in your rotation. Its stackable rings, hoops and delicate chains are versatile enough for everyday wear, making them pieces you’ll reach for again and again – no matter the occasion.
Each piece is crafted from high-quality 14k gold, gold vermeil, or sterling silver (depending on the style you choose), so you can trust it will never tarnish.
Jewells
We love them for: Bold, statement jewellery
How it works: PVD coating
Prices start at: £24
Warranty? Yes
Jewells is the place to shop for trend-driven, statement designs. Think: bold chains, mixed metals and chunky rings that feel expressive, rather than delicate.
Not everything is guaranteed to be tarnish-free, so be sure to shop from the brand’s waterproof collection as the pieces are PVD coated. Our faves? The Mixed Metal Statement Ring will look chic af with a structured blazer and white T-shirt – and it’s reasonably priced at £34.99.
Kara Kia is the Ecommerce Editor for Women's Lifestyle at Hearst UK, leading Cosmopolitan UK's digital shopping strategy across fashion, beauty and lifestyle. With over eight years of experience as a journalist and editor, Kara specialises in skincare, makeup, haircare and helping women find their personal style — trying and testing every product she recommends. A trusted voice in fashion and beauty ecommerce, Kara's most-read guides include the best wedding dresses under £1000, the best affordable jewellery brands, the best Korean skincare products, and the best products for curly hair. She also covers major shopping events including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day for Cosmopolitan, Red and Prima. Kara previously held the role of contributing Fashion and Beauty Ecommerce Editor at ELLE UK and Harper's Bazaar UK; before joining Hearst, she was Fashion Content Editor at NET-A-PORTER's Porter Magazine, Associate Editor at PopSugar, and wrote for Refinery29 and LOVE Magazine. An experienced interviewer, she has spoken to Zendaya, Alicia Keys, Simone Biles and Tyla about life, work and style. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and formerly based in Toronto, Kara now lives in London. Follow Kara on Instagram @kara.kia
Shadé (pronounced sh-ah-day) is the Senior Fashion & Lifestyle Ecommerce Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. From what to shop in the latest Revolve flash sale to how to style the hottest new trends, she shares shopping advice, reports on new collabs and reviews your fave fashion brands.
