The honest answer depends on the piece. Here's what's generally safe to keep on, and what's better left in the box before you jump in the water.

Why water is the real culprit

It's rarely the water itself that causes damage — it's what's often mixed into it. Chlorine, salt water, and the minerals in hard tap water can all gradually affect plating, oxidise certain metals, and dull a piece's finish over time, even when each individual exposure seems harmless.

What showering does over time

Hot water opens pores and rinses away natural oils, but it can also strip protective coatings on plated jewellery a little at a time. Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash add another layer of residue that builds up in settings and clasps, making pieces harder to clean later.

Swimming: the biggest risk

Chlorinated pools and salt water are the two environments most likely to cause visible changes to plated or delicate jewellery, sometimes surprisingly quickly. If you love wearing jewellery to the beach or pool, consider it worth building the habit of taking pieces off and storing them somewhere safe before you get in.

A simple rule of thumb

If you wouldn't want to test how a fabric holds up in chlorine, treat your jewellery the same way. When in doubt, take it off — it takes seconds, and it's the single easiest thing you can do to make a piece last.

• Quick hand washing — usually fine occasionally.
• Daily showers — better to build the habit of removing jewellery first.
• Pools and sea swimming — always remove beforehand.
• Hot tubs and saunas — heat and chemicals make this the highest-risk combination.

A little precaution goes a long way — the pieces you take care of are the ones you'll still be wearing years from now.