Caring for Each Material
Updated: 2026-09-21
The golden rule for everything
Jewelry goes on last and comes off first: after perfume, lotion and hairspray, and before showering, swimming, cleaning or the gym. Store each piece separately so they don’t scratch one another.
Solid gold (10K, 14K)
The easiest to care for. Clean it now and then with warm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft brush, then rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth. It will not tarnish, though a polish brings back its shine.
Gold-plated (baño)
The most delicate finish. The gold layer is thin, so keep it away from water, perfume, friction and lotions, and wipe it only with a dry, soft cloth. Kept in a pouch and worn with care it lasts longer — but plating is a finish, not forever, and we say so plainly.
925 sterling silver
Silver darkens naturally with air and skin — that is tarnish, not damage. A silver polishing cloth brings it back. Store it in a closed bag or with an anti-tarnish strip, and wearing it often actually helps keep it bright.
Stones
For diamonds and hard stones, the warm-water-and-soft-brush method works well. Softer, porous stones — pearl, opal, turquoise, malachite — dislike water, heat and chemicals: wipe them with a dry soft cloth and never soak them. When in doubt, gentler is safer.