Jewellery Care Tips

Plated jewellery lasts for years if you treat it right, and months if you do not. These are the same instructions we give customers in the store.

The one rule that matters

Last on, first off. Put your jewellery on after perfume, hairspray, sunscreen and moisturiser. Take it off before you take off your clothes. Almost all plating damage we see comes from chemicals, not from wear.

Day to day

• Wipe each piece with the dry cloth in your box after wearing. Skin oils and sweat are mildly acidic and dull the finish over time.
• Take jewellery off before washing your hands, swimming, or exercising.
• Never wear it in the shower. Plating is durable but not waterproof.
• Remove pieces before sleeping — this is how clasps and posts get bent.

Storage

• Store each piece in its own pouch. Metal against metal causes scratches.
• Keep away from direct sunlight and humidity. A drawer is better than a windowsill.
• For pearls, store flat rather than hanging — hanging stretches the silk thread over time.
• A small silica gel sachet in your jewellery box does more good than any polish.

Cleaning

• Dry cloth first, always. Most dullness is surface residue.
• If more is needed, use a barely-damp cloth and dry immediately.
• Never use silver polish, toothpaste, baking soda or ultrasonic cleaners on plated jewellery — they strip the plating.
• Kundan and lac-set pieces should never touch water; the lac base softens.

Pearls specifically

Wipe pearls with a soft dry cloth after every wear. They are organic and porous — perfume and hairspray will mark them permanently. Restring a frequently-worn strand every couple of years.

When to bring it to us

A loose stone, a bent post or a failing clasp is a five-minute fix in our workshop and is free within the warranty period. Do not try to re-set a stone with glue — it makes a repairable problem permanent.