HOW TO CLEAN YOUR JEWELLERY
Most damage comes from the same few things: water, chemicals and being stored loose. Sort those and your jewellery keeps its shine for years. Here's what to do, material by material.
Four habits that do most of the work
- Last on, first offPerfume, hairspray, lotion and sun cream all dull metal and stones. Put your jewellery on after them and take it off first thing in the evening.
- Keep it dryTake it off for the shower, pool, sea and gym, unless it specifically says your piece is made for water.
- Wipe it after wearingA soft, dry cloth lifts skin oils before they build up. It takes seconds.
- Store it apartUse separate pouches or compartments in a dry place. Never the bathroom.
Cleaning by material
Check the care card or product page first, as some pieces have their own rules. If you're not sure what a piece is made from, wipe it with a soft cloth and ask us.
Sterling silver
Marked 925. It dulls to grey or black over time. That's tarnish, and it polishes off.
Do
- Wear it often. Skin contact slows tarnish.
- Wipe with a soft cloth after wearing, or use a silver polishing cloth.
- For heavier tarnish, use a silver cleaner made for jewellery and follow the label. Rinse and dry well.
Avoid
- Chlorine, bleach, perfume and hairspray.
- Toothpaste and baking-soda pastes. They scratch.
- Silver dips on pieces with pearls, stones or enamel.
- Hard rubbing or abrasive polish. Many silver pieces have a thin rhodium finish that wears away.
Gold plated and vermeil
A thin layer of gold over another metal. The layer wears down slowly with use.
Plating thins over time. That's normal, and some pieces can be re-plated. Ask our repairs team.
Do
- Wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth after every wear.
- If it needs more, rinse briefly in lukewarm water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid. Use a soft brush only in crevices.
- Pat dry straight away.
Avoid
- Soaking and scrubbing.
- Silver dips, liquid polish and ultrasonic cleaners.
- Chlorine, sea water and sweat.
- Drying with kitchen roll or tissue. It can scratch.
Solid gold
9ct and 18ct gold is gold all the way through. It's hard-wearing, but it still scratches.
Do
- Soak for a few minutes in warm water with mild washing-up liquid.
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush, then rinse and dry.
- Buff with a soft cloth.
Avoid
- Bleach, chlorine and household cleaning products.
- Abrasive cloths and polishes.
- Wearing it for gardening, DIY and heavy workouts.
Stainless steel
Doesn't tarnish, so it needs the least effort. Nomination bracelets have steel links.
Do
- Wash in warm soapy water with a soft toothbrush.
- Dry well.
Avoid
- Scrubbing enamel or gold-coloured details on charms and links.
- Knocks on hard surfaces. They can chip enamel.
Gemstones and pearls
Pearls and many stones are softer or more porous than the metal around them.
Do
- Wipe with a soft, damp cloth after wearing.
- For crystals and cubic zirconia, use a soft brush and mild soapy water. Don't leave them to soak.
- Put pearls on last, take them off first, and lay them flat to dry.
Avoid
- Perfume, hairspray and make-up, especially on pearls.
- Vinegar, baking soda, ammonia, and ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
- Hot water and long soaks. They can loosen glued stones.
Enamel and engraving
Colour and lettering sit on the surface, so go gently.
Do
- Wipe with a soft, damp cloth, then dry.
- Store flat or in its own pouch.
Avoid
- Scrubbing the engraving or enamel.
- Chemical cleaners and polishing dips.
Quick answers
How often should I clean my jewellery?
Wipe it after each wear. Pieces you wear every day also need a gentle wash every couple of weeks. Pieces you wear now and then only need cleaning when they look dull.
Can I wear jewellery in the shower, pool or sea?
Usually not. Water, soap, chlorine and salt dull silver and wear away gold plating, and they can loosen glued stones. If a piece is made to cope with water, its product page or label will say so.
Why does my silver go dark?
That's tarnish. Silver reacts with sulphur and moisture in the air, and it's normal. Wearing it often slows it down, and a polishing cloth removes light tarnish.
Is baking soda or vinegar safe for cleaning jewellery?
We'd skip both. Baking-soda pastes scratch, and vinegar is an acid that can harm plating, pearls and porous stones. Warm water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid is safer for most pieces.
How do I clean gold plated jewellery?
Wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth after each wear. If it needs more, rinse it quickly in lukewarm water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid and pat it dry. Don't soak or scrub it.
How do I clean a Nomination bracelet?
Wash the steel links in warm soapy water with a soft toothbrush and dry them well. Wipe enamel and gold-coloured charms gently and don't scrub them. Our Mococo foam is perfect for Nomination bracelets and really easy to use.
Can worn plating be fixed?
Plating thins with wear, which is normal. Some pieces can be re-plated or repaired, so ask our repairs team whether yours can.