Artificial jewellery lets you change your look every day without spending a fortune – but like any accessory, it lasts longer when it is looked after. The good news: a few easy habits make a big difference. Here are ten tips we follow ourselves.
1. Make it the last thing you put on
Perfume, deodorant, hairspray, body lotion and sunscreen all contain chemicals and oils that dull plating and stones. Get ready completely, let everything dry, and then put on your jewellery.
2. Make it the first thing you take off
Remove your earrings, rings and bracelets before you wash your face, cook, clean, exercise or go to bed. Sweat, soap and friction are the biggest reasons a finish wears down.
3. Keep it away from water
Take jewellery off before bathing, swimming or doing the dishes. If a piece does get wet, pat it dry with a soft cloth straight away and let it air-dry fully before storing it.
4. Wipe it after every wear
A quick wipe with a soft, dry microfibre or cotton cloth removes sweat and make-up before they settle. Avoid tissues and rough towels, which can scratch.
5. Store each piece separately
Pieces rubbing against each other scratch and tangle. Keep each one in its own small pouch, zip-lock bag or a jewellery box with compartments. Close the clasps on chains so they don’t knot.
6. Keep moisture out of storage
Humidity speeds up tarnish, especially during the monsoon. Store jewellery in an airtight box in a cool, dry place – not in the bathroom – and drop in a silica gel sachet if you have one.
7. Clean gently, never scrub
For a deeper clean, use a cotton bud barely dampened with plain water, then dry thoroughly. Skip toothpaste, baking soda, vinegar and jewellery dips made for real silver – they can strip plating and loosen stones.
8. Be extra gentle with stones, pearls and resin
Stones and faux pearls are usually set with adhesive, so soaking or heat can loosen them. Resin pieces should be kept out of direct sunlight for long periods and away from sharp objects.
9. Choose anti-tarnish pieces for everyday wear
If you want something you can wear daily, look for pieces with an anti-tarnish finish – they are designed to hold their colour for longer. Our anti-tarnish jewellery collection is made for exactly that. (Read more in anti-tarnish vs regular artificial jewellery.)
10. Rotate your favourites
Wearing the same pair every day means it takes all the wear. Rotating between a few favourites keeps each piece looking fresh for longer – and it’s more fun.
Frequently asked questions
Why does artificial jewellery turn green or black?
Discolouration happens when the base metal reacts with moisture, sweat, oils or chemicals. Keeping pieces dry, wiping them after wear and storing them airtight slows this down a lot.
Can I wear artificial jewellery in the shower?
It’s best not to. Water and soap wear down plating and can loosen stones. Take pieces off before bathing and swimming.
How do I store oxidised jewellery?
Oxidised pieces like jhumkas and cuffs should be stored dry and separately, ideally in a pouch or butter paper, so the darkened finish isn’t rubbed off. See our oxidised jewellery guide for more.
Looking for something new to add to your collection? Browse earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets at Zevaara.
