10 Tried & Tested Tarnish-Free Gold Jewelry Brands
Last Updated February 13, 2024, 8:27 PM
Tarnish-free gold jewelry sounds too good to be true and often it is, unless you’re ready to really invest. With "waterproof," "sweat-proof," and "swim-proof" jewelry styles dominating social media, how do you actually avoid dreaded green-tinged fingers? Or be certain that that "gold" necklace won’t resemble a rusty spoon after a couple of swims in the sea? Forever skeptical of grand marketing claims, we set out to find out.
Gearing up for a strenuous month of jewelry styling, we loaded our wrists, ears, and necks with a good helping of pretty gold pieces to see which ones still glistened after a few weeks of wear.
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The general consensus among jewelry experts is that solid gold is the only way to guarantee your jewelry will remain tarnish-free. That said, many budget-friendly brands have put a new gold-plating technique into practice, and so far it’s seen impressive results. Known as physical vapor deposition (PVD), this new technique is ten times thicker than regular gold plating, making pieces much less susceptible to corrosion, tarnishing, or fading. Comparing the real-deal investment pieces with these cost-friendly PVD picks, we've yet to notice a difference in the tarnish-free stakes following several showers, sea swims, and sweat sessions.
Keep scrolling to read our reviews of tarnish-free jewelry brands to suit every budget, from standout styles you’ll want to save up for to payday pick-me-ups that seem to last just as long.
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1 of 10
Hello Adorn
Hello Adorn came our of creating jewelry that delighted its founders, and the pieces have certainly delighted us too. The brand's Tiny Twist Earrings in particular are sweet, dainty, and make a single piercing look like a double piercing! They're also waterproof and available in sterling silver, 14kt rose gold fill, and 14kt gold fill, with the last option having a thick layer of gold that prevents it from tarnishing.
2 of 10
Umara
"I’ve been following Umara for a while now. The brand’s 18 Karat Yellow Gold Piercing Ring hasn’t left my earlobe in over a year, and I’ve just added the Flower Stud. It’s simple, chic, and subtle: perfect for those who like tiny, dainty pieces. Even better, you’ll be supporting a small brand and are unlikely to spot anyone else wearing your special piece.
Every item is crafted from 14- and 18-karat gold, fusing traditional Indian craftsmanship with modern design. This makes it more expensive, but there’s no risk of it tarnishing so consider it a long-term investment."—Lauren Cunningham, Freelance Writer
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3 of 10
Flaire & Co.
"When I was introduced to Flaire & Co., I was unsure if such affordable jewelry could be so high-quality and tarnish-resistant. But I've happily been proven wrong. The stainless steel pieces don't tarnish or rust, and the PVD gold-plated stainless steel ones don't turn your fingers green. Plus, it's all water-safe.
I have a few pieces from the brand, including the By The Seashore Gold Necklace and the Two Layer Dainty Waist Chain in Gold. But my favorite is the Adjustable Pearl Ring, which I wore throughout the entire summer and while on vacation in Sicily, where sweat and salt water were abundant. I can safely say that it's water-safe and has remained tarnish- and rust-free. It's the best $14 you could spend on long-lasting gold jewelry."—Victoria Montalti, Associate Affiliate Writer
4 of 10
Monica Vinader
"Monica Vinader needs no introduction for the jewelry fans out there. Selling seriously stylish pieces, from simple chains to enamel earrings, it’s one of the best brands for bling, from the everyday to the exceptional. Offered the chance to try it out, I went in. On one wrist sits the Mini Nugget Gemstone Beaded Bracelet and the Alta Textured Chain Bracelet. On the other, the Nura Reef Bangle with the Siren Muse Medium Hoop Earrings in my lobes for good measure.
All look exceptional, and so far I’ve noticed no tarnish. But that’s not to say it won’t come, as the brand does not claim to be waterproof or tarnish-free. What it does offer is a five-year warranty, during which time any piece will be repaired, no questions asked. You can also pay to activate a lifetime warranty to keep pieces looking pretty forever, which seems like a no-brainer to me."—Lauren
5 of 10
Ana Luisa
"Many R29 editors are Ana Luisa fans, including myself. I've worn my Paris twisted earrings nearly every day for the last year because I love the style so much (and, no, I don't regularly take them off to shower). They haven't dulled or tarnished in the slightest, and have become a staple to my daily outfits.
In addition to recycled solid gold, Ana Luisa also uses durable gold-plated brass and rhodium-plated- and gold-plated sterling silver. The brand's hypoallergenic and tarnish-resistant jewelry is also backed by a 2-year warranty, so you can be confident in its quality and longevity."—Victoria
6 of 10
Kitty Joyas
"If you're after a little bit of luxury, Kitty Joyas may be the brand for you. A Joyas Heart Necklace is one of the brand's bestsellers, and for good reason. It catches everyone’s eye, and I get a lot of compliments every time I wear it out and about. It makes a lovely gift for someone special in your life — you can even receive a discount when buying in bulk. Bridesmaid presents, perhaps?
My favorite piece has to be the XS Signature Hoops made from recycled sterling silver and plated with 3 microns of 18-karat gold. The brand says that the color of its jewelry can fade but offers a renew service from $16 to keep your pieces looking perfect."—Lauren
7 of 10
Dorne
Luxury resort jewelry brand Dorne only just launched in November 2023, so while we haven't officially put it to the test on a summer vacation, we've gotten some of the waterproof swim jewelry kits that we're excited to try. The white-plated and 18k gold body jewelry is designed to accentuate your swimsuits, whether you attach the charms to the center of your bikini top or sside of your string bikini bottom.
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8 of 10
Otiumberg
"Otiumberg pieces are really very special and will arrive at your door beautifully gift-wrapped and tied with a bow. Founded by sisters Christie and Rosanna, the London-based brand stocks delicate pieces crafted from solid gold, gold vermeil, and sterling silver. The look is very much old-money luxury — think initial necklaces, dainty rings, and small studs.
The (now sold out) Solid Gold Square Hoops, stood out as my favorite — they're chic, subtle, and luxurious, which you can feel from their weight. They are seriously spendy compared to most other pieces in this list, but they will most likely last a lifetime, tarnish-free, so I consider them an investment."—Lauren
9 of 10
Made by Mary
While Made by Mary has an entire jewelry care page with best practices for cleaning and keeping your pieces brand new (ex: not swimming with them on), it also uses high-quality and durable materials that also ensure you'll enjoy your pieces for a long time. Made by Mary's gold-filled jewelry has gold coating, a.k.a. a thick layer of 14k gold. This creates durable pieces that prevent tarnishing and chipping.
10 of 10
Astrid & Miyu
"I'm not alone in my love of Astrid & Miyu. In fact, the only downside about picking a piece from this brand is that you may find a number of your friends have had the same idea — great if you’re a safety-in-numbers kind of fashion fan, not so much if you prefer to have a signature style.
Astrid & Miyu makes no claims about being tarnish-free. There’s a whole page on its website dedicated to caring for your jewelry to make it last longer, including keeping it away from lotions, sweat, and water. So I can’t claim that it’s tarnish-free, although I did fall in love with the Essential Medium Hoops in Gold, and just made sure to follow all good jewelry-owner steps to keep them looking sparkly: no showers, baths, or sea swims on the menu."—Lauren
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