Jewellery Care & Materials Guide

About Our Materials

Gold-Plated Pieces

Our gold-plated jewellery features a base metal — typically brass or copper — coated with a fine layer of 18k or 14k gold. Gold plating adds a warm, luxurious finish at an accessible price point, but it is a surface finish rather than solid gold. With thoughtful care, the plating can remain beautiful for an extended period; how long depends on skin chemistry, frequency of wear, and how pieces are stored and cleaned.

Signs of natural wear include subtle dulling or slight colour shift at high-friction areas such as clasps, inner bands, and chain links. This is expected and does not indicate a quality defect.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver (92.5% pure silver, marked .925) is a durable and timeless metal. It tarnishes naturally when exposed to air, moisture, sulphur compounds in the environment, and certain skincare products. Tarnish appears as a darkening or slight yellowing and is entirely reversible with gentle cleaning.

Brass & Copper Bases

Some pieces use a brass or copper base beneath plating. These metals are strong and hold plating well. If plating wears at contact points over time, a faint warm or reddish tone may become visible — this is normal and can be addressed through re-plating services at a local jeweller.

Freshwater Pearls

Our pearls are organic gems formed within molluscs. They are softer than most gemstones (Mohs hardness 2.5–4.5) and sensitive to acids, chemicals, and abrasion. Pearls should always be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off. Wipe with a soft damp cloth after each wear.

Gemstones

Semi-precious and precious stones featured in our collections vary in hardness and care needs. As a general rule, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, harsh chemicals, and ultrasonic cleaners unless specifically noted as safe for your stone type. When in doubt, gentle hand-cleaning is always the safest method.

What to Expect from Plated Jewellery

Gold plating is a surface treatment, not a permanent material change. The longevity of plating depends on several factors:

  • Skin chemistry — higher skin acidity can accelerate wear
  • Frequency of wear — daily wear naturally shortens the life of any surface finish
  • Contact with chemicals — perfume, chlorine, salt water, and skincare products are the most common accelerants of wear
  • Storage — improper storage causes scratching and oxidation even when pieces are not being worn

We do not make specific durability guarantees for plated finishes, as wear is inherently personal. Our commitment is to quality construction and consistent plating thickness across every piece.

Storage

  • Store each piece individually — in the pouch or box provided — to prevent scratching between items.
  • Keep jewellery in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity.
  • Anti-tarnish strips placed inside storage pouches or drawers can significantly slow oxidation on silver and plated pieces.
  • Avoid leaving pieces on bathroom surfaces where humidity and product residue are constant.
  • Necklaces and chains should be stored flat or hung to prevent tangling.

Water & Perfume Exposure

  • Remove all jewellery before swimming — both chlorinated pools and salt water accelerate tarnishing and plating wear significantly.
  • Avoid showering while wearing plated pieces. Moisture and soap residue are among the leading causes of dulling.
  • Apply perfume and skincare before putting on your jewellery, and allow products to dry fully. Alcohol-based fragrances are particularly corrosive to plated surfaces.
  • Sweat during exercise has a similar effect — remove pieces before workouts where possible.

Cleaning

Gold-Plated & Copper-Based Pieces

  • Wipe gently with a dry or very slightly damp, lint-free microfibre cloth after each wear to remove skin oils and residue.
  • Do not use abrasive cloths, silver polishing cloths, or metal cleaners — these can strip the plating.
  • Avoid ultrasonic cleaners.
  • For light build-up, use a cotton bud lightly dampened with plain water to clean around settings — never soak plated pieces.

Sterling Silver

  • Use a dedicated silver polishing cloth to gently buff away tarnish.
  • For heavier tarnish, a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water applied with a soft cloth, rinsed thoroughly, and dried immediately is effective.
  • Store clean and dry — residual moisture accelerates re-tarnishing.

Pearls

  • Wipe with a clean, slightly damp cloth after wear — never use chemicals, soaps, or ultrasonic cleaners.
  • Allow to air-dry fully before storing.
  • Do not store in airtight containers; pearls need a small amount of humidity to retain their lustre.

Gemstone Pieces

  • Wipe the metal setting with a microfibre cloth.
  • Clean stone surfaces gently with a soft, damp brush (such as a clean make-up brush) and plain water.
  • Avoid soaking, and dry immediately after cleaning.

General Best Practices

  • Put jewellery on last when getting ready — after makeup, skincare, hairspray, and fragrance.
  • Remove jewellery first when undressing or before any activity involving water, chemicals, or physical exertion.
  • Inspect clasps, links, and settings periodically — early attention to a loose stone or weakened clasp prevents loss.
  • If a piece needs re-plating, a local jeweller can often restore it to near-original condition at a modest cost.