Earrings with hoops and crystals Ikita (France)

After wearing your jewelry, gently wipe it with a soft, dry cloth (not a treated polishing cloth). For a more thorough clean, choose a method that suits the material, finish, and decorative details.

How to protect your jewelry every day

Put your jewelry on last, after perfume and lotion have dried. Take it off before showering, swimming, working out, sleeping, or cleaning. Household cleaners, pool chlorine, and salt water can damage finishes, adhesives, and some decorative details.

If your jewelry gets wet, dry it around the clasps and settings, too. Let it dry completely before putting it away. Drying alone won’t remove salt or detergent residue. If it needs more cleaning, choose a method that’s safe for every material in the piece.

How to clean stainless steel and silver

Uncoated stainless steel without decorative inserts. Use lukewarm water, a little mild soap, and a soft cloth. Rinse thoroughly and dry well, including around the clasp. For coated steel or pieces with glued-in details, choose a cleaning method suited to those materials.

Plain silver (not plated or oxidized). Use a silver polishing cloth to remove surface tarnish. Follow the cloth’s instructions and keep it away from stones and other decorative details. Avoid using it on gold plating, oxidized silver, or finishes that should not be polished.

How to care for plating, crystals, and enamel

Gold plating and other coatings. Clean gently and avoid rubbing hard. Silver cleaners and treated silver polishing cloths can damage the finish. If you can see the metal underneath, the coating has worn away. Cleaning won’t restore it.

Glued-in crystals, cubic zirconia, and enamel. Use a soft cloth for everyday cleaning. Avoid soaking the piece or scraping away dirt with a sharp tool. Baking soda, vinegar, toothpaste, and stiff brushes can damage the surface.

How to care for pearls

Wipe natural and cultured pearls with a very soft cloth after wearing them. Keep them away from steam and ultrasonic cleaners. Lay strung pearl necklaces flat to dry. For imitation pearls, choose a cleaning method based on the material and finish.

How to slow silver tarnish

You can store dry silver jewelry without pearls in a zip-top plastic bag. Press out excess air before sealing the bag. Anti-tarnish strips can help when used as directed. Keep silver away from rubber bands, latex, and wool.

How to store jewelry

Store each piece separately to prevent scratches. Keep jewelry out of the bathroom and away from heat sources. Lay chains out straight with their clasps fastened.

Keep natural and cultured pearls in a soft fabric pouch. Avoid airtight plastic, silica gel packets, and other moisture absorbers.

If you’re unsure about the finish or how to clean a piece, ask us how to care for it and include the product link.