Jewelry can hold incredible sentimental value. It can express an individual’s styles, commitments, and represent some of the things that matter most. If you’re someone with an active lifestyle — or you work outdoors or have outdoor hobbies — you may be hesitant or worried about the wear and tear you could have on your jewelry. But what if you didn’t have to be? The advent of new durable materials, styles, and companies focused on durable and fashionable jewelry have made jewelry for people with active lifestyles more and more popular. Activewear jewelry is more accessible and fashionable than ever, with a wide variety of styles and types of jewelry for any occasion.
Waterproof Watches
Waterproof watches are a popular and evolving activewear accessory. While these watches have been around in some form since the 1920s, they have advanced to withstand different depths and pressures, and come in different styles — nowadays, you can even get waterproof smartwatches. You can wear a waterproof watch on several occasions, such as.
- Swimming or diving;
- On the beach;
- To the gym;
- Hiking;
- Skiing or snowboarding;
- Working with plumbing or piping.
Waterproof watches can be more easily cleaned of grime and are resistant to sweat. Luxury brands like Rolex even offer waterproof and diving watches, illustrating how popular this activewear accessory is.
Leather and Cloth
Jewelry made of leather and durable cloths, such as rope and canvas, can be beautiful as well as active-lifestyle friendly. These materials are very flexible as far as style and color, and even can be made with vegan or recycled materials. Some jewelry you may find made of these materials include:
- Necklaces;
- Bracelets;
- Anklets;
- Chokers;
- Belts;
- Hair accessories.
Jewelry and accessories made of these materials can be more easily washed of dirt and grime — some may even be machine washable — and less likely to snap or become brittle during strenuous activities. Leather and cloth jewelry can even have health benefits over traditional metal jewelry, causing fewer restrictions to blood flow, and being a great alternative jewelry choice for people with metal allergies.
Sweatproof Jewelry
One of the newer types of active jewelry that’s becoming more popular is “sweatproof” jewelry. Active gym-goers and outdoor enthusiasts can wear their favorite accessories while working out, without worrying about wear caused by sweat. “Sweatproof” or sweat-resistant jewelry is typically made of stainless steel and titanium alloys, which are resistant to chlorides found in sweat and seawater that tarnish materials like sterling silver. This jewelry is designed not only to be resistant to sweat, but to reduce irritation to the skin when worn during exercise.
Wedding Bands
Traditional gold and silver wedding bands can be impractical for people who work in certain industries like construction, or who have active hobbies. Ring avulsion injuries, where the ring is suddenly and forcefully pulled away from the skin, can lead to serious medical consequences. Additionally, having to constantly take off or store your wedding band can increase your risk of losing it. Alternative wedding band materials, such as tungsten and silicone, may be more suited to an active lifestyle, and may allow you to wear your wedding band more often.
Tungsten Wedding Bands
Tungsten is a popular alternative material to silver or gold wedding bands. Tungsten carbide and jewelry-grade tungsten rings are also less likely to tarnish than silver and gold, requiring less professional cleaning. It’s also scratch-resistant, meaning it can withstand more strenuous activities. Tungsten is also a hypoallergenic metal, which can be a great alternative for people with metal allergies. Tungsten rings come in both men’s styles and women’s styles, and can be a great way to save money on your wedding, without compromising style or quality.
Silicone Wedding Bands
Silicone wedding bands are another popular choice for people with active lifestyles, such as professional athletes. These wedding bands are extremely flexible, easy to take on and off, and hypoallergenic, making them well-suited for high-activity lifestyles. The only downside to a silicone wedding band is that they aren’t as traditional or stylish as a metal band, which some couples may not like. However, some are more than happy to trade this wedding tradition for hyper functionality. You can get silicone wedding bands in a variety of colors and sizes, for both men and women.
Engagement Rings
If wedding bands aren’t your style and you’re looking for a more durable engagement or wedding ring, there are a few factors that can help your ring stand up to wear:
Material: When it comes to engagement rings for active lifestyles, platinum is the strongest of the precious metals, scoring above both silver and gold on overall hardness. The prongs that typically hold the gemstone on an engagement ring are less likely to break on a platinum ring than a gold ring, meaning that the gemstone, as well as the band, are more secure.
Gemstones: Most gemstones are incredibly durable, and will only crack or break under direct and powerful hits, or excessive pressure. However, cubic zirconia, which is found in many lower-priced rings, is more fragile. If you’re looking for durability in an engagement ring, it may be worth it to invest in a certified gemstone.
Overall Height: The height, also called the “profile” of a ring, can affect durability, as the higher the profile, the more likely it is to catch on things, which can increase the chance of damage and ring avulsions. Bezel set rings are seen to be the best rings for active lifestyles, as they are the lowest height. Other low profile rings include:
- Split trellis;
- Graduated pave;
- Twisted vine;
- Halo.
There are all kinds of rings, necklaces, bracelets, and other accessories that you can find to suit your active lifestyle, without compromising on your personal style. The activewear jewelry industry is constantly expanding and creating new styles for people with active jobs and hobbies, meaning there’s a perfect piece out there for you, or the active loved one in your life.
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