How to Care for Your Jewelry So It Stays Bright

A little care goes a long way. Most of what dulls jewelry isn't age. It's water, perfume, lotion and pieces rubbing against each other in a drawer. These simple habits will keep your favorites looking new for longer.

The golden rule: last on, first off

Put your jewelry on after perfume, lotion, hairspray and makeup, and take it off before you swim, shower, exercise, clean or sleep. Chlorine, salt water, sweat and cosmetics are the biggest enemies of plating, pearls and crystals.

Care by material

Gold-tone and plated pieces

Many of our everyday pieces, like the Paperclip Chain Bracelet, have a thin layer of plating over steel or alloy. Plating is what gives them their warm color, so treat it gently:

• Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after wearing.
• Keep them dry, and away from perfume and lotion.
• Never use polishing cloths with abrasives, silver dips, toothpaste or baking soda. They can wear the plating away.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel, used in pieces like our Engraved 4-Sided Stick Necklace, is tough and doesn't tarnish easily. To clean it, wipe it with a cloth dampened with a drop of mild soap in lukewarm water, then wipe it with a clean damp cloth and dry it straight away. If your piece has a gold finish, treat it like a plated piece.

Sterling silver

Sterling silver, like the 925 silver in our Ginkgo Leaf Stud Earrings and Moissanite Solitaire Necklace, can darken over time when it meets air and moisture. Store it in a closed pouch or box, ideally with an anti-tarnish strip. Both of these pieces have a gold-tone finish, so skip silver dips and simply wipe them with a soft cloth.

Pearls

Pearls are soft and porous, so they need the gentlest care of all. Put our Freshwater Pearl Necklace or Pearl & Blue Stone Wire Cuff on last, wipe them with a soft dry cloth after wearing, and never soak them. Store pearls flat and on their own so harder pieces can't scratch them.

Crystals, rhinestones and moissanite

Crystal and rhinestone settings can loosen in water, so keep these pieces dry and brush away dust with a soft, dry brush. Moissanite itself is very hard, but the setting around it isn't, so treat it with the same care as the metal it's set in.

Beads, enamel and watches

Beaded pieces like our Boho Bead Bracelet Stack and enamel charms should stay dry and be stored flat. The watch in our Butterfly Necklace & Watch Gift Set is rated to 30 meters, which means it's fine for splashes and rain, but take it off before swimming or showering.

How to store your jewelry

• Give each piece its own space. A lined box with compartments, or a small pouch for each piece, prevents scratches.
• Fasten necklaces before you put them away, or hang them, so chains don't tangle.
• Keep it dry. A bathroom is the worst place for jewelry. A drawer in your bedroom is better, and a small silica gel packet in the box helps absorb moisture.
• Travel smart. Pack pieces in separate pouches rather than loose in a bag.

What to avoid

• Ultrasonic cleaners and harsh chemicals on plated, pearl or crystal pieces
• Hot tubs, pools and the ocean
• Sleeping in delicate chains, which can kink or snap

If a piece ever arrives damaged or faulty, email us at support@lunacarat.com within 30 days of delivery and we'll make it right. See our Returns & Refunds page for details.