How to Maintain and Care for Your High-Quality Artificial Jewellery

 

Artificial jewellery is a fantastic way to enhance your style without spending a fortune on real gold, silver, or diamonds. However, to keep your pieces looking new and shiny for years, you must take proper care of them. High-quality artificial jewellery, when maintained correctly, can last a long time without tarnishing or losing its charm.

In this article, we will cover essential tips and tricks to maintain and care for your artificial jewellery so it stays beautiful and durable.

1. Store Your Jewellery Properly

One of the biggest mistakes people make is tossing their jewellery into a drawer or leaving it exposed to air and moisture. Proper storage is key to preserving its quality.

Best Storage Practices:

✅ Use Airtight Containers: Store jewellery in zip-lock bags or airtight containers to reduce exposure to air and moisture, which can cause tarnishing.
✅ Keep Pieces Separate: Store each piece separately or use jewellery organizers to prevent tangling and scratches.
✅ Use Anti-Tarnish Strips: Place silica gel packs or anti-tarnish strips in your jewellery box to absorb excess moisture.
✅ Avoid Direct Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause some artificial stones and metals to fade over time.

💡 Pro Tip: If you don’t have a jewellery box, use soft pouches or wrap individual pieces in microfiber cloths before storing them.

2. Keep Your Jewellery Away from Water and Chemicals

Water and chemicals can be extremely damaging to artificial jewellery, leading to discoloration, fading, and rusting.

What to Avoid:

❌ No Wearing in Water: Remove jewellery before showering, swimming, or washing dishes. Chlorinated and salty water can corrode the metal plating.
❌ Avoid Perfumes and Lotions: Always put on your jewellery after applying perfume, lotions, or hair sprays, as these can cause metal to fade.
❌ Keep Away from Cleaning Products: Household cleaners, detergents, and harsh chemicals can erode the plating on artificial jewellery.

💡 Pro Tip: If your jewellery accidentally comes into contact with water or chemicals, wipe it down immediately with a soft, dry cloth.

3. Clean Your Jewellery Regularly

Dirt, oil, and sweat build-up can dull your artificial jewellery over time. Regular cleaning will help maintain its shine and brilliance.

How to Clean Artificial Jewellery:

🔹 For Gold-Plated & Silver-Plated Jewellery:

• Mix mild soap with lukewarm water.
• Dip a soft cloth or toothbrush in the solution and gently scrub the jewellery.
• Rinse quickly with clean water and dry thoroughly with a soft towel.

🔹 For Gemstones & Rhinestones:

• Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the surface.
• Avoid soaking in water, as glue-set stones may loosen.

🔹 For Pearl & Beaded Jewellery:

• Use a damp cloth to wipe gently.
• Do not use soap or water as it can weaken the string or setting.

💡 Pro Tip: Always pat dry your jewellery after cleaning and let it air dry completely before storing it.

4. Handle Your Jewellery with Care

Even high-quality artificial jewellery is more delicate than real gold or silver. Rough handling can lead to breakage, stone loss, or scratches.

How to Handle Artificial Jewellery:

✅ Put Jewellery On Last: Wear your jewellery after dressing up to avoid pulling or snagging on clothes.
✅ Remove Before Sleeping: Take off rings, bracelets, and necklaces before bed to prevent accidental damage.
✅ Be Gentle: Avoid forcefully bending, twisting, or tugging on delicate chains and settings.

💡 Pro Tip: If a clasp, chain, or setting feels loose, take it to a local jewellery repair shop before it gets worse.

5. Protect Jewellery from Sweat and Humidity

Sweat and high humidity can cause artificial jewellery to tarnish quickly.

How to Reduce Sweat Damage:

✔ Remove jewellery before exercising or engaging in activities that cause excessive sweating.
✔ Store jewellery in a cool, dry place, especially during humid weather.
✔ Wipe down jewellery after wear to remove any sweat or oil residue.

💡 Pro Tip: If you live in a humid area, place silica gel packets in your jewellery box to absorb moisture and prevent tarnishing.

6. Restore Shine to Tarnished Jewellery

Even with the best care, artificial jewellery may lose its shine over time. Here’s how to bring back its sparkle:

🔹 For Metal Jewellery:

• Use baking soda and water to make a paste. Apply with a soft cloth, then rinse and dry.

🔹 For Gold-Plated Jewellery:

• Rub with a soft cotton cloth—avoid abrasive materials.

🔹 For Silver-Plated Jewellery:

• Polish with a silver cleaning cloth or mild toothpaste.

💡 Pro Tip: Avoid excessive polishing as it can wear away the metal plating.

7. Know When to Avoid Wearing Jewellery

To prolong the life of your artificial jewellery, avoid wearing it in situations where it’s likely to get damaged.

When to Remove Jewellery:

❌ While Cooking or Cleaning – Exposure to grease and chemicals can damage metal coatings.
❌ At the Gym – Sweat and friction can cause discoloration.
❌ While Gardening or Doing Manual Work – Dirt and pressure can scratch or break delicate pieces.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep a small jewellery pouch in your bag so you can store pieces safely when needed.

8. Invest in High-Quality Artificial Jewellery

Not all artificial jewellery is the same. Investing in better-quality pieces will make them easier to maintain and last longer.

What to Look for in High-Quality Artificial Jewellery:

✔ Hypoallergenic Materials: Look for nickel-free or lead-free jewellery to avoid skin irritation.
✔ Good Plating Quality: Opt for gold-plated or rhodium-plated jewellery, which lasts longer than regular metal coatings.
✔ Secure Stone Settings: Ensure gemstones are properly set (not just glued) to prevent them from falling off.

💡 Pro Tip: Always check product descriptions and customer reviews before purchasing artificial jewellery online.

Final Thoughts

Taking care of your high-quality artificial jewellery doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these simple steps—proper storage, regular cleaning, avoiding chemicals, and handling with care—you can keep your jewellery looking stunning for years to come.

Quick Recap:

✔ Store jewellery properly in airtight containers.
✔ Keep it away from water, sweat, and chemicals.
✔ Clean regularly with mild soap and a soft cloth.
✔ Handle gently and avoid wearing it during strenuous activities.
✔ Invest in high-quality artificial jewellery for better durability.

By following these tips, your artificial jewellery will maintain its shine, elegance, and longevity—making every piece a worthy addition to your collection!