Jewelry Care Guide: How to Care for Every Material

Your jewelry is meant to be worn, not locked in a box — but everyday life takes a quiet toll. Sweat, soap, perfume, and even the air itself slowly dull the metal and gemstones you love. The good news is that a little routine care keeps a quality piece brilliant for decades, and none of it requires special tools or expensive products. This jewelry care guide walks you through how to clean and store every material we carry, from 925 sterling silver to stainless steel, leather, brass, pearls, and birthstone gems.

1.Sterling Silver (925)

Sterling silver is the heart of our collection, and the one thing every silver owner should know is that tarnishing is normal. Silver reacts with sulfur in the air and darkens over time — that is chemistry, not a defect, and it is easy to reverse. To clean, mix warm water with a drop of mild dish soap and rub gently with a soft cloth. For heavier tarnish, use a silver polishing cloth or a paste of baking soda and water. Skip the toothpaste — it contains tiny abrasives that leave fine scratches. When you wear sterling silver necklaces, keep them away from hot springs, pools, and the ocean, and always put them on after perfume, lotion, and hairspray. Store silver in an airtight bag with an anti-tarnish strip to slow oxidation. One more tip: silver actually stays brighter when worn regularly, because gentle friction with your skin helps keep tarnish from building up.

2.316L Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is the lowest-maintenance material in our lineup. It resists rust, sweat, and everyday wear, which is why we build our sport and men's pieces from it. Cleaning is simple: warm water, a little mild soap, and a soft cloth — nothing more. Avoid scouring pads and abrasive cleaners, which leave micro-scratches on the brushed finish, and rinse off chlorine or salt after a swim. Because it does not tarnish, storage is easy; just keep your stainless steel necklaces separate from softer metals so the harder steel cannot scratch them. As a bonus, stainless steel is naturally hypoallergenic, making it a great everyday choice for sensitive skin.

3.Leather

Leather needs the opposite of metal care: keep it dry. Leather is porous and absorbs sweat, water, and oils, which breaks it down over time. After each wear, wipe it with a dry, soft cloth, and condition it occasionally with a leather balm to keep it supple and prevent cracking. Never wear leather in the shower, pool, or gym, and keep it away from perfume, alcohol, and lotion. Direct sunlight dries and cracks leather, so store your leather bracelets flat in a cool, dry place, and wrap the metal clasp separately if you can.

4.Brass & Gold-Plated

Brass develops a warm, antique patina as it oxidizes — some people love the look, but if you prefer bright shine, a paste of lemon juice and salt buffed on with a soft cloth restores it quickly. Gold-plated pieces are brass beneath a thin layer of gold, so treat them gently and expect the plating to soften with time. Clean gold-plated jewelry with a soft cloth and plain water only; never use abrasives, because the plating wears away with friction. Avoid stacking plated pieces against other jewelry, and wipe away sweat before storing. Keep both brass and plated items in an airtight bag to slow tarnishing.

5.Pearl

Pearls are the most delicate material we sell — soft, porous, and sensitive to acid and sweat. The golden rule is last on, first off: put on pearls only after makeup and perfume, and take them off before anything else. After each wear, wipe them gently with a soft, damp cloth. Never soak pearls in water and never put them in an ultrasonic cleaner; both damage the nacre, the thin layers that give pearls their glow. Store your pearl jewelry in its own soft pouch, away from harder pieces that can scratch the surface, and give each strand a gentle wipe before putting it away.

6.Birthstone Gems & Cubic Zirconia

Different gemstones need different care, because hardness varies widely. Diamond, ruby, and sapphire are hard and forgiving; opal, pearl, and turquoise are soft and easily damaged. Most birthstone gems do well with warm water and a soft brush, and cubic zirconia benefits from occasional degreasing to restore its fire. Use an ultrasonic cleaner only for hard stones — never for opals, pearls, or soft gems. Keep gemstones out of prolonged sun, which can fade some colors, and avoid harsh chemicals like chlorine and bleach. Browse our birthstone earrings and rings to find pieces made for everyday wear.

7.A Few Habits That Keep Everything New

A handful of habits protect every material above: remove jewelry before swimming, showering, or exercising; put it on last, after cosmetics and fragrance; and store each piece separately in a cool, dry place. Daily care is always easier than deep cleaning later. With these simple routines, your favorite pieces will keep their shine for years to come — and if you ever have a question about a specific piece, we are always happy to help.

8.FAQ

Q1: Why did my silver jewelry turn black? Is it a defect?

A1: No — tarnishing is a natural chemical reaction between silver and sulfur in the air, not a defect. It is easy to reverse with a silver polishing cloth or a baking-soda paste, and storing silver in an airtight bag slows it down.

Q2: Will 316L stainless steel jewelry rust? Can I wear it in the shower?

A2: 316L stainless steel is highly resistant to rust and corrosion, so it holds up to water and sweat far better than most metals. An occasional shower is fine, but we still recommend removing jewelry before swimming in chlorinated or salt water to protect the finish.

Q3: Can leather bracelets get wet? What if I sweat a lot?

A3: Leather should stay dry — water and sweat soak into the pores and break the material down over time. Take leather bracelets off before showering, swimming, or working out, and wipe them with a dry cloth after wear.

Q4: Is it normal for brass jewelry to change color? How do I clean it?

A4: Yes — brass develops a warm patina as it oxidizes, and many people love the look. To restore a bright shine, buff it gently with a paste of lemon juice and salt, then rinse and dry thoroughly.

Q5: Will gold-plated jewelry fade? How long does it last?

A5: Gold plating is a thin layer over a brass base, so it gradually softens with friction and exposure to chemicals. Extend its life by removing it before showering or exercising, keeping it away from lotions and perfume, and storing it separately.

Q6: How do I care for pearls? Can I wash them or use an ultrasonic cleaner?

A6: Pearls are delicate and porous. Wipe them with a soft, damp cloth after each wear, and never soak them in water or put them in an ultrasonic cleaner, both of which damage the nacre. Store them in their own soft pouch.

Q7: Can birthstones go in an ultrasonic cleaner?

A7: It depends on hardness. Diamond, ruby, and sapphire are safe in an ultrasonic cleaner, but soft stones like opal, pearl, and turquoise should never go in one. When in doubt, clean with warm water and a soft brush.

Q8: How should I store my jewelry to prevent tarnishing?

A8: Store each piece separately in a cool, dry place, ideally in an airtight bag with an anti-tarnish strip for silver and plated items. Keep softer stones and pearls away from harder pieces that can scratch them.