Can Memorial Jewelry Get Wet? What You Need to Know

One of the most practical questions people ask about memorial jewelry is also one of the most important: Can I wear this in the shower? What about swimming? What happens if it gets wet?

At WildBeard Legacy Co. in Fort Collins, CO, we build memorial jewelry to be worn every day—and that means answering this question honestly. The short answer depends on the material and construction of your specific piece. This guide breaks it down clearly so you know exactly what your piece can handle.

The Short Answer by Material

Tungsten: Highly water-resistant. Safe for showers and brief water exposure. Avoid prolonged submersion. Our tungsten rings are among the most water-tolerant options we make.

Titanium: Excellent water resistance. Corrosion-proof and safe for most water exposure including showers. One of the best materials for active, wet-environment wear.

Stainless steel: Good water resistance. Resists rust and tarnish. Safe for showers. Avoid prolonged saltwater exposure, which can cause surface pitting over time.

Sterling silver: Water-tolerant but will tarnish faster with regular water exposure. Remove before swimming in chlorinated or saltwater. Dry thoroughly after any contact.

Opal inlay: Opals are porous and sensitive to moisture. Avoid prolonged water exposure. Our opal inlay rings should be removed before swimming or extended water activities.

Meteorite inlay: Meteorite contains iron and can rust if exposed to water regularly. Keep dry. Remove before showering if possible.

Wood inlay: Wood is sensitive to moisture and can warp, crack, or discolor with repeated water exposure. Remove before any water activity.

What About Pieces With Ash or Fur Inside?

This is the most critical question for cremation jewelry specifically. If your piece contains a sealed ash compartment or ash infusion, water exposure requires extra care.

Sealed compartments: The seal is designed to be permanent and water-resistant under normal conditions—brief water exposure like rain or hand-washing is generally fine. However, prolonged submersion (swimming, bathing) should be avoided as a precaution. The seal is robust, but there's no reason to test its limits unnecessarily.

Ash infusion in resin: Resin is water-resistant but not waterproof under all conditions. Brief water contact is fine. Avoid prolonged submersion and harsh chemicals like chlorine, which can degrade resin over time.

Fur in sealed compartments: Same guidance as ash—brief water exposure is generally fine, prolonged submersion should be avoided.

What Water Situations to Avoid

• Swimming pools: Chlorine is harsh on most metals, inlays, and seals. Remove memorial jewelry before swimming.
• Ocean swimming: Saltwater accelerates corrosion on most metals and can damage inlays and seals. Remove before ocean activities.
• Hot tubs: High heat combined with chemicals is particularly damaging. Always remove memorial jewelry before hot tub use.
• Prolonged bathing: Extended soaking softens some adhesives and can stress seals over time. Showers are generally fine; long baths are riskier.
• Harsh cleaning chemicals: Bleach, acetone, and other harsh chemicals can damage finishes, inlays, and seals. Remove jewelry before cleaning.

What Water Situations Are Generally Fine

• Brief rain exposure
• Hand-washing (brief contact, dry thoroughly after)
• Showering in tungsten, titanium, or stainless steel pieces without specialty inlays
• Sweating during exercise (rinse and dry after)

How to Care for Memorial Jewelry After Water Exposure

If your piece does get wet, the most important step is simple: dry it thoroughly. Use a soft cloth and make sure moisture isn't trapped in any crevices, engraving channels, or around inlay edges. Allow it to air dry completely before storing.

For pieces with meteorite inlay, apply a very light coat of mineral oil after drying to protect against oxidation. For opal inlay, keep it away from heat sources while drying.

The Rule of Thumb

If you're unsure whether a specific water situation is safe for your piece, the rule of thumb is: brief and incidental is fine, prolonged and chemical is not. Getting caught in the rain is fine. Swimming laps in a chlorinated pool is not.

Memorial jewelry is built to be worn—but it's also built to last decades. A little mindfulness around water goes a long way toward keeping your piece in the same condition it was in on the day it arrived.

Browse Our Memorial Jewelry Collections

Explore our memorial rings, memorial necklaces, K9 handler memorial rings, and design your own ring options—all handcrafted in Fort Collins, CO, built to be worn for life.