Jewellery That Lives With You: Meet the New Waterproof Edit

The new collection of waterproof jewellery you'll never want to take off

There's a certain freedom in jewellery you don't have to think about. Pieces you can swim in, shower in, sleep in — the kind that come on a Monday morning and stay there until you decide otherwise.

Our new gold waterproof edit is built for exactly that. Every piece is crafted in 18ct gold PVD plated recycled brass — a properly durable finish that keeps its colour and shine through showers, summer swims and everything in between.

Below: what makes jewellery genuinely waterproof, the rather lovely science behind our PVD finish, and the pieces from the new collection we predict you'll be living in this summer.

What makes jewellery truly waterproof?

Waterproof, in the proper sense, means it can live with you through every sun-cream-soaked afternoon without losing its colour or shine.

Three things are usually responsible for ruining ordinary gold-plated pieces:

1. Chlorine — the unsung villain of every poolside cocktail moment, it strips thin plating faster than you'd think.
2. Salt water — gorgeous to swim in, less kind to gold underneath the surface.
3. Skincare, perfume and SPF — the alcohols and oils that keep your skin happy are slowly dissolving your jewellery while you sleep.

Truly tarnish-free jewellery has to stand up to all three. Which is where 18ct gold PVD plating quietly steals the show.

The science: why 18ct gold PVD plating doesn't tarnish

Standard gold plating uses electroplating — a quick dip that leaves a thin layer of gold sitting on top of a base metal. It looks beautiful straight out of the box, but the gold is essentially a guest on the surface, and it leaves the party gradually with every shower, splash and squeeze of hand cream.

PVD — Physical Vapour Deposition — is a different proposition entirely. The gold is vaporised inside a vacuum chamber and bonded to the metal beneath at a molecular level. The finish that comes out the other side is denser, harder and far more resistant to fading. Less guest, more flatmate.

Every piece in our new waterproof collection wears an 18ct gold PVD finish over a recycled brass base. That's the combination that lets these pieces hold their warm, golden glow through showers, sea swims and sun cream, without the tired dulling you'd expect from ordinary plating.

You'll notice our waterproof edit sits at a slightly higher price than the stainless-steel waterproof pieces floating around the high street. PVD plating is more expensive to produce — but it's the reason your jewellery will still be looking like itself next summer.

Meet the new gold waterproof jewellery collection

Three moods to choose from. Or don't choose. Stack them all.

For the everyday layerer

Pieces built to live on your skin from Monday meetings through to weekend swims.

• Waterproof Layered Beaded Necklace — £85. Two delicate beaded strands in one, designed to add instant dimension to a plain tee or summer dress.
• Waterproof Layered Beaded Bracelet — £59. The matching wrist piece — stacks beautifully with watches or your existing rings.

For the holiday wardrobe

Lightweight, sun-ready pieces that move from beach to bar without missing a beat.

• Waterproof Wave Stud Earrings — £65. A soft, sculptural wave shape that catches the light beautifully against tanned skin.
• Waterproof Wave Crossover Ring — £45. A fluid, easy-wearing ring that needs no introduction and no taking off.
• Waterproof Shell Pearl Beaded Stud Earrings — £109. Freshwater pearl meets PVD gold — proof that pearls and pool days can finally get along.

For the colour lovers

This is where our waterproof edit really stands apart. Most waterproof jewellery comes in plain gold or silver. Ours brings in the semi-precious gemstones our customers know us for.

• Waterproof Emerald Beaded Necklace — £75. Green emerald beads strung on a gold waterproof chain.
• Waterproof Lapis and Pink Jade Beaded Necklace — £89. Cobalt and rose, the colour combination we can't stop wearing this season.
• Waterproof Lapis and Pink Jade Beaded Bracelet — £75. The pairing piece — wear together or layer separately.

Browse the full edit on the Waterproof Jewellery collection page.

How to wear it: from shower to sundowner

The whole point of gold waterproof jewellery is that it doesn't need a separate slot in your day. A few ways we've been styling the new pieces:

• Stack the beaded bracelet with your everyday rings and watch. The gold tone plays beautifully with both warm and cool metals, so nothing has to match exactly.
• Layer the beaded necklaces at two lengths for a slightly undone holiday neckline — the Layered Beaded Necklace up top, one of the gemstone numbers sitting just below.
• Wear the Wave Studs as your daily earring. Small enough to sleep in, sculptural enough to make a black dress feel considered.
• Pair the Wave Crossover Ring with the Lucia or Zand cocktail rings from our new in edit for an evening hand stack that actually says something.

Caring for your waterproof gold jewellery

Waterproof doesn't mean invincible. A few small habits, and your pieces will look as good in five years as they do unwrapped.

• Skincare and perfume first, jewellery second. Always give your products a moment to dry before sliding everything on.
• A fresh-water rinse after a sea swim or pool dip keeps the finish at its brightest. PVD plating won't be damaged by either in normal use, but salt and chlorine are no one's idea of a long-term skincare routine.
• Store pieces separately in their pouches when they're not on you. Jewellery doesn't always get along in the same drawer.
• Skip the harsh cleaners entirely. A soft cloth and warm water is all your waterproof pieces ever need.

For the full guidance, see our jewellery care page.

Why Ottoman Hands — sustainability built in

Every piece in the new waterproof collection is handcrafted in small batches by our artisan workshops, using recycled brass as the base metal. Our packaging is sustainable, and for every order we place we plant a mangrove tree through the Eden Reforestation Projects.

There's a quiet sustainability argument for waterproof jewellery, too. The longer a piece lives with you — properly, daily, without quietly falling apart in your jewellery dish — the less new metal the world has to dig up to replace it. Buy beautifully, wear it for years, repeat.

Read more about our approach on our sustainability page.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ottoman Hands waterproof jewellery really tarnish-free? Yes. Every piece in our waterproof collection uses an 18ct gold PVD plating over a recycled brass base, which is significantly more durable than standard gold plating and won't tarnish, fade or discolour with normal daily wear.

Can I shower in gold waterproof jewellery? You can. Our PVD-plated waterproof pieces are designed to be worn in the shower, in the sea, and through everyday activity. For best results, apply perfume and skincare first and let them dry before putting your jewellery on.

Can I swim in the sea with PVD gold jewellery? Yes — both saltwater and chlorinated pools are fine for our waterproof pieces. We recommend rinsing your jewellery in fresh water after swimming to keep the finish at its brightest.

Is your waterproof jewellery hypoallergenic? Our waterproof pieces use a 18ct gold PVD finish, which forms a stable, sealed surface over the base metal. Most customers with sensitive skin wear it comfortably, but if you have a known allergy to brass we'd recommend our solid gold collection instead.

How long does 18ct gold PVD plating last? With normal everyday wear, PVD plating lasts significantly longer than traditional electroplated gold. The exact lifespan depends on how often you wear the piece and how it's cared for, but PVD is the most durable plating finish widely available in fashion jewellery today.

What's the difference between waterproof and water-resistant jewellery? Water-resistant jewellery is designed to survive occasional contact with water — a splash of rain, a quick handwash. Waterproof jewellery, like our new edit, is built to be worn continuously through showers, swimming and daily wear without the finish breaking down.

Shop the new waterproof edit

Whether you're stocking up for summer, building a low-maintenance everyday wardrobe, or finally finding jewellery that survives your life as you actually live it — the new edit is here, and it's ready when you are.

Shop the Waterproof Jewellery edit →

Free worldwide delivery on orders over £100, and one mangrove tree planted with every order.