Caring for your imitation jewellery

Imitation jewellery is plated. The finish is a thin layer over a base metal, and everything below either protects that layer or wears it away. Treated well, a piece keeps its shine for years; treated carelessly, it can dull in weeks.

The single most useful habit

Put your jewellery on last, and take it off first. After perfume, hairspray, lotion and makeup have dried — and off before you wash, sleep or exercise. Almost all premature tarnishing traces back to this one thing.

Keep away from

• Water — showers, swimming pools, the sea and washing up. Chlorine and salt are especially aggressive on plating.
• Perfume, deodorant and hairspray — alcohol strips the finish and dulls stones.
• Lotions, oils and sunscreen — these leave a film that traps moisture against the metal.
• Sweat — remove jewellery before the gym, and wipe pieces down after a long, warm day.
• Household cleaners and bleach — take everything off before cleaning.

Cleaning

Wipe each piece with a dry, soft cotton cloth after wearing. That is usually all that is needed. For heavier residue, use a barely damp cloth and dry the piece completely before storing.

Never use toothpaste, baking soda, vinegar, silver dip, ultrasonic cleaners or commercial jewellery solutions on plated jewellery. They are designed for solid metals and will strip plating, often in a single use. Do not scrub oxidised pieces — the dark recesses are the design, and polishing them out cannot be undone.

Storage

• Store pieces separately, in individual pouches or a partitioned box, so they cannot rub against each other.
• Keep them dry and out of direct sunlight. A bathroom shelf is the worst place in the house.
• A silica gel sachet in the box absorbs humidity and meaningfully slows tarnishing.
• Fasten clasps and lay chains flat or hang them so they do not knot.

Stones, pearls and beads

Handle beaded and pearl pieces by the metal, not the strand, and lay them flat to avoid stretching the thread. Never soak them — water weakens the knots and the adhesive holding set stones.

What is normal, and what is not

Gradual dulling over months of regular wear is normal for plated jewellery and is not a fault. Skin sensitivity varies between people; if you know you react to nickel or brass, favour our silver-tone and coated finishes and avoid wearing a piece continuously for long periods.