Good jewellery is made to last, but it does ask for a little looking-after. None of it is complicated — mostly it comes down to a handful of small habits that, once they're automatic, keep your pieces looking the way they did the day they arrived. This guide covers the two rules that apply to everything you own, then the specifics for silver, gold, lab-grown diamonds and natural gemstones, because each likes to be treated a little differently.
The two rules that apply to everything
Rule one: last on, first off. Put your jewellery on after your perfume, makeup, moisturiser and hairspray — those are the things that dull metal and cloud stones — and take it off before you shower, swim, exercise or clean. Two minutes of habit saves a great deal of polishing later.
Rule two is the one people most often skip: take it off before bed. Sleeping in your jewellery is one of the quiet ways pieces get damaged. Earring backs work loose overnight, chains twist and kink under your weight, clasps snag on bedding, and a whole night's worth of sweat and skin oil sits on the metal instead of being wiped away. Rings, earrings and necklaces simply last longer when they spend the night in their box rather than on you.
Let your skin — and your jewellery — breathe
There's a third habit worth building, and it's one hardly anyone mentions: rotate what you wear. Wearing the same ring or pendant every single day, around the clock, never gives your skin or the piece a chance to breathe. Changing things up lets the skin underneath dry out and recover, reduces the buildup of soap, sweat and lotion that collects in settings and clasps, and means no single piece takes all the wear. It's kinder to sensitive skin, and it quietly extends the life of everything in your box. Think of it as letting each piece rest between outings.
Caring for 925 sterling silver
Sterling silver is lovely, but it will tarnish over time — that's simply what silver does when it meets air, moisture and the sulphur that's present in everything from perfume to pollution. The rhodium finish on our silver pieces slows this down considerably, so with normal care you'll rarely see it. To keep silver bright, wipe it with a soft, dry cloth after wearing, keep it away from perfume, chlorine and household cleaners, and store it somewhere dry — ideally in an airtight pouch or an anti-tarnish bag, because exposure to air is what starts the process. If a piece ever does dull after years of wear, a gentle clean revives it, and because the base is solid silver, re-plating is a straightforward job at any good jeweller.
Caring for gold (and gold-plated) pieces
Real gold is the low-maintenance one — it doesn't tarnish, so it mostly just needs everyday oils and grime cleaned off now and then. Warm water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid and a soft brush (an old, soft toothbrush is perfect) lifts the buildup; rinse it, then pat dry with a soft cloth. Gold-plated pieces need a lighter touch — skip the brushing and any harsh chemicals, and wipe them gently instead, so the plating stays put for as long as possible.
Caring for lab-grown diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are, chemically and physically, real diamonds — the hardest material you'll ever wear, and every bit as durable as mined stones. The only thing that dims them is the film of oil, lotion and everyday life that settles on the surface, which is why a “dull” diamond is almost always just a dirty one. A soak in warm soapy water and a gentle brush around the setting brings the fire straight back. One habit worth building: pick a diamond ring up by the band, not the stone, so you're not constantly leaving fingerprints on the very part that's meant to sparkle.
Caring for natural gemstones
Natural gemstones are where care gets a little more personal, because they aren't all built the same. As a general rule, warm water, mild soap and a soft brush are safe for the harder, more durable stones — but avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners at home, and keep every gemstone away from harsh chemicals and sudden changes in temperature. A few specifics are worth knowing:
Rubies and sapphires are tough and easygoing — warm soapy water suits them well. Emeralds are softer and often treated, so skip the soaking and ultrasonic cleaners and simply wipe them gently. Pearls are the most delicate thing in most jewellery boxes — soft and porous, so keep them away from perfume and chemicals entirely, wipe them with a barely-damp cloth rather than soaking, and always follow last-on, first-off. Porous stones like opal and turquoise prefer to stay dry, so don't soak them, while softer stones such as tanzanite dislike knocks and temperature swings. When in doubt, treat a gemstone gently and it will reward you for years.
Storing it properly
How you store jewellery matters almost as much as how you clean it. Keep pieces apart rather than jumbled together — a diamond will scratch nearly anything it's tossed in with, and softer stones and metals mark easily. Separate compartments or individual soft pouches solve this in one move. Hang chains or lay them flat so they don't tangle and kink, keep silver in something airtight to hold off tarnish, and store pearls and porous stones away from the rest, somewhere cool and dry rather than sealed in plastic.
Small everyday habits that make the difference
A few final habits go a long way. Take everything off before the gym, gardening, cleaning or DIY. Put your jewellery on last when you're getting ready, and take it off first when you get home. And every so often, check the clasps on your chains and the prongs holding your stones, so a loose setting is caught before a stone is ever lost. If you feel a stone move or a clasp weaken, stop wearing the piece and have it looked at — every piece we make is covered by our Lifetime Warranty, so a little maintenance keeps it with you for the long run.
A few questions we hear often
How do I clean silver jewellery at home?
For everyday shine, wipe it with a soft, dry cloth after wearing. For a deeper clean, use warm water with a little mild soap and a soft cloth, then dry thoroughly. Avoid abrasive cleaners and toothpaste, which can scratch, and store it somewhere airtight afterwards.
Should I really take my jewellery off at night?
Yes. Earring backs loosen, chains kink under your weight, and skin oils and sweat build up on the metal overnight. Taking pieces off before bed genuinely makes them last longer.
Can I shower or swim in my jewellery?
It's best not to. Soap and shampoo leave a dulling film, hot water and chlorine are hard on metals, and pools and the sea can damage softer stones. Take it off first — it's a two-second habit.
How do I stop my silver from tarnishing?
Keep it dry, away from perfume and household chemicals, wipe it after wearing, and store it in an airtight pouch or anti-tarnish bag. The rhodium finish on our silver already slows tarnish considerably.
Is caring for a lab-grown diamond different from a natural one?
No — a lab-grown diamond is a real diamond with the same hardness, so it's cared for exactly the same way: warm soapy water, a gentle brush, and handling it by the band rather than the stone.
How do I clean gemstones safely?
Hard stones like ruby and sapphire are fine with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Pearls, emeralds and porous stones like opal and turquoise should only be wiped, never soaked, and kept away from chemicals. Skip ultrasonic cleaners at home.
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