Jewellery Care Guide
AURYN GUIDE
Jewellery lasts best when care matches the material. A polishing method that suits plain sterling silver may be wrong for a plated finish, a soft stone or a coated detail. Start with the material information on the product page, use the gentlest effective method, and avoid treating every piece the same way.
The everyday rule: last on, first off
Put jewellery on after fragrance, hairspray, skincare and cosmetics have had time to settle. Take it off before showering, swimming, exercising, sleeping or using household cleaning products. This reduces unnecessary contact with moisture, chlorine, salts, oils and chemicals that can dull finishes or affect delicate materials.
After wear, a quick wipe with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth is often more useful than frequent deep cleaning. It removes surface oils before they build up and lets you notice a loose stone, bent clasp or worn finish early.
Care by material
| Material or finish | Routine care | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Sterling silver | Wipe after wear and store dry, preferably separately. For plain silver, use a silver-appropriate polishing cloth gently when tarnish appears. | Frequent aggressive polishing, abrasive cleaners and chemical dips on plated, oxidised, stone-set or detailed pieces. |
| Stainless steel | Wipe with a soft cloth. Where the piece has no delicate coating or stone, mild soapy water can be used sparingly; rinse carefully and dry completely. | Abrasive powders, hard brushes and leaving the piece wet after cleaning. |
| Gold-tone, silver-tone and other plated finishes | Use a very soft dry or lightly damp cloth and minimal pressure. Let cosmetics and fragrance dry before wearing. | Metal polish, abrasive cloths, harsh chemicals, prolonged soaking and repeated friction that can wear the surface finish. |
| Copper and alloy pieces | Wipe dry after wear and store away from humidity. Follow the product-specific finish guidance where plating or coating is present. | Assuming an exposed metal and a plated version can be polished in the same way. |
| Gem-set jewellery | Use a soft cloth and, when the stone and setting are known to tolerate it, gentle warm soapy water. Check settings before cleaning. | Ultrasonic or steam cleaning unless the stone, any treatments and the setting are known to be suitable. |
| Pearl or pearl-effect details | Handle gently, wipe with a very soft cloth and keep away from perfume and hairspray. Check the product description to confirm whether the detail is cultured pearl, natural material or imitation. | Abrasive polishing, ultrasonic cleaning, harsh chemicals and storing against harder jewellery that can scratch the surface. |
Sterling silver: tarnish is not the same as damage
Sterling silver can darken as its surface reacts with sulphur-containing compounds in the environment. That surface tarnish does not by itself mean the piece is poor quality. Storage and regular light care are preferable to repeatedly removing heavy tarnish.
For an unplated, plain sterling-silver piece, use a clean silver-polishing cloth with light pressure. Work gradually rather than trying to restore the finish in a few forceful passes. If a silver piece is plated, intentionally oxidised, set with stones or has another surface treatment, do not assume standard silver polish is appropriate: the treatment on top may be more vulnerable than the silver beneath it.
If you are comparing the two common base materials, see our Sterling Silver vs Stainless Steel Jewellery guide for composition, wear and UK hallmarking context.
Plated jewellery needs a lighter touch
A plated finish is a surface layer, so preservation matters more than aggressive polishing. Friction, chemicals and repeated exposure to moisture can gradually change its appearance. Wipe rather than scrub, store pieces separately, and do not use a metal-polishing product unless it is expressly suitable for that particular finish.
Remove plated jewellery before swimming, bathing and high-perspiration activity. Apply fragrance and cosmetics first, allow them to dry, then add jewellery as the final step.
Stainless steel: resilient does not mean maintenance-free
Stainless steel is valued for corrosion resistance, but surface residue can still reduce its lustre. For simple, uncoated pieces, a soft cloth is usually enough for routine care. When more cleaning is needed, mild soapy water may be suitable; rinse carefully and dry the piece completely.
If a stainless-steel item also has plating, enamel, adhesive-set details or stones, care for the most delicate component rather than the base metal.
Gemstones and decorative stones
There is no single safe cleaning method for every stone. Hardness, toughness, fractures, coatings and treatments all matter. Warm soapy water is suitable for many durable gems, but it is not a universal instruction. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners can be inappropriate for softer, treated, fracture-filled, coated or heat-sensitive stones and can also affect insecure settings.
If the stone type or treatment is uncertain, stay conservative: use a soft cloth and seek professional advice before attempting a stronger cleaning method.
Pearls and pearl-like surfaces
Genuine and cultured pearls are comparatively soft and sensitive to chemicals. Put them on after perfume and cosmetics, wipe them gently after wear and keep them away from harder pieces that can scratch them. Do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaning.
Some AURYN designs may use imitation or pearl-effect components rather than cultured pearls. Those surfaces can also be coated or delicate, so check the product description and default to gentle handling when the construction is not clear.
How to store jewellery
- Store pieces clean and dry.
- Keep necklaces fastened and laid flat or hung separately to reduce knots.
- Separate pieces so harder metals and stones do not rub against softer surfaces.
- Keep sterling silver in a closed pouch or suitable anti-tarnish storage when practical.
- Avoid bathrooms and other persistently humid storage areas.
- When travelling, give each piece its own compartment or soft pouch.
When not to clean at home
Stop and seek professional advice if a stone feels loose, a clasp is failing, a setting is bent, the piece has an unknown treatment, or you are unsure whether a finish is plated, coated or intentionally oxidised. Cleaning should never become a repair attempt.
A simple care routine
- After wear, inspect the piece briefly and wipe it with a soft cloth.
- Store it separately, dry and protected from friction.
- Use deeper cleaning only when needed and only when appropriate for every material in the piece.
- Check product-specific information before using polishing compounds, dips, steam or ultrasonic equipment.
Explore AURYN jewellery
Browse necklaces, rings, earrings and charms, then use the material information on each product page to choose the most appropriate care approach.
Need help with a specific AURYN piece?
Send us the product link or your order number. We can help you identify the listed material and choose the safest care approach from the information available for that design.