A new year always brings that quiet urge to reset — to take better care of ourselves, our spaces, and the things we reach for every day. Jewellery is no different. These are pieces we live in, mark moments with, and often keep close for years. Caring for them properly isn’t about fussiness — it’s about respect, attention, and longevity.
There’s an old rule worth remembering: first thing off, last thing on. Jewellery should be removed before bed and only put on after you’re finished getting ready in the morning. Everyday products like perfume, lotion, sunscreen, hair products, and cleansers can dull metals and damage gemstones over time, even if the effects aren’t immediately visible.
When you’re not wearing your jewellery, storage matters. Clean pieces should be kept individually — chains clasped and stored separately to prevent tangling, gold and costume jewellery tucked into soft pouches, and silver or gold vermeil stored in small airtight bags to slow tarnishing. Leaving jewellery loose in dishes or drawers exposes it to air and humidity, which speeds up wear.
Jewellery should always come off before exercise, swimming, hot tubs, or saunas. Sweat is far more acidic than skin at rest and can permanently affect certain metals. Chlorine and salt water are particularly harsh, binding to metals and weakening them from the inside out. Heat and humidity can also impact gemstones, especially pearls, opals, and other organic or porous stones, causing them to lose lustre or change colour.
Sleeping in jewellery is another habit worth breaking. Chains can stretch unevenly as you move during the night, weakening their structure and increasing the risk of breakage. Earrings can cause discomfort or irritation for side sleepers unless they’re specifically designed for overnight wear. Rings, too, benefit from a little rest — and if you love stacking, pairing rings together actually helps them hold their shape longer.
Gold and platinum are famously durable, but even they benefit from regular care. Oils, lotions, and everyday buildup can collect around settings, especially on rings worn daily. Diamonds are particularly prone to attracting residue. A gentle clean with mild soap and water, a soft cloth, and an extra-soft toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas will keep pieces looking their best. Always dry thoroughly before storing, and take care around delicate gemstones like pearls, opal, emerald, and tanzanite.
Sterling silver, while beautiful, reacts quickly to its environment and can tarnish dramatically. Thankfully, this is almost always reversible. A proper jewellery polishing cloth — treated with polishing compound — will remove most tarnish with minimal effort. For more ornate or heavily oxidized pieces, a gentle baking soda and water paste can help, used sparingly and rinsed thoroughly. To slow tarnishing, silver should always be stored in an enclosed, airtight space.
Gold-filled jewellery offers a durable and accessible alternative to solid gold, designed to last when treated with care. Though resistant to tarnish, it can still dull over time from everyday wear. A gentle wash with mild soap and water, followed by thorough drying, will restore its brightness. Gold-filled pieces should be stored individually and kept away from humid environments to preserve their finish.
Gold vermeil requires extra care. Because it’s gold over sterling silver, abrasive cleaning methods like polishing cloths or baking soda can wear down the gold layer. When cleaning is needed, ultrasonic or ionic methods are safest.
Brass, a copper-based alloy with a warm gold tone, has its own personality. Because copper reacts to acidity, brass may develop patina or leave temporary greenish marks on the skin. This is harmless and washes away easily. If it bothers you, creating a barrier — such as a thin layer of clear nail polish on areas that touch skin — can help. Brass can usually be polished back to shine with a jewellery cloth, and in rare cases of heavy oxidation, a very quick vinegar-and-water rinse can help, provided it’s done carefully and never prolonged.
At its core, jewellery care is about intention. These are pieces chosen with meaning, worn through life’s moments big and small. Treating them well allows them to keep pace with you — beautifully, reliably, and for years to come.
