How to clean and care for your jewellery

With the right care, our design-led jewellery will become part of your capsule collection. To keep your favourite pieces looking their best, follow our expert-approved jewellery care tips and techniques, put together by our Jewellery Team. From the best way to clean each metal to storing necklaces correctly, these are the jewellery rules to live by.

How to look after your jewellery

Store your pieces correctly

Keeping your jewellery in a cool, dry place away from sunlight is one of the best ways to ensure its longevity. From decorative jewellery boxes to ceramic trinket dishes and ring holders, we've got all organisation styles covered. For longer necklaces or bracelets, choose a jewellery stand with multiple bars set at different heights to prevent long chains from tangling. Find more inspiration in our how to store jewellery guide.

Avoid extreme temperatures

Keep jewellery away from extreme temperatures, humidity and direct sunlight. These can cause discolouration and increase the risk of tarnishing.

Keep it dry

Make sure you remove your jewellery every time you wash, swim or exercise, as exposure to moisture can increase the risk of tarnishing. Use a travel jewellery box if you’re on-the-go – these are the perfect size for slipping in your gym bag, and they have separate compartments to keep everything organised.

Avoid creams and perfumes

‘Avoid exposure to soaps, sprays and creams such as body lotion or SPF, as well as hand sanitiser,’ recommends Lianna Sheppard, OB’s Jewellery Buyer. Wait a few minutes for creams and perfumes to dry before you accessorise, and make sure to wear gloves or remove your jewellery when cleaning.

These jewellery care instructions will help prevent your jewellery from discolouration and keep them sparkling. For more in-depth advice, read our guide on how to prevent jewellery from tarnishing.

Our expert says

‘We recommend a good polish every three to six months to remove any dullness and keep your jewellery sparkling, especially with pieces you wear more often, such as earrings and rings. Cleaning too regularly can cause unnecessary damage to the metal.’

– LIANNA SHEPPARD, JEWELLERY BUYER

How to clean your jewellery at home

Day-to-day wear and exposure to moisture and dirt and can leave your jewellery looking dull and lifeless. As well as storing it correctly and giving it a wipe every now and then, we recommend doing a deeper clean every three to six months to maximise shine.

How to clean gold-plated jewellery

‘Gold-plated jewellery should be handled with care,’ advises Lianna. ‘A gentle buff with a soft, non-abrasive microfibre or lint-free cloth should be enough to restore the shine without scratching the surface.’ Keep it dry to avoid stripping the plating. Where suitable, we add a protective e-coat on gold-plated designs, which will help preserve the colour of the plating and extend the life of your gold earrings, hoops and necklaces.

How to clean sterling silver jewellery

The best way to remove dullness from your silver jewellery is to give them a regular buff using a soft, non-abrasive lint-free cloth to polish the metal without scratching the surface. We don’t recommend using chemicals or cleaning agents, but you can carefully clean pieces you wear often with a soft toothbrush and warm soapy water every three to six months.

How to clean silver-plated jewellery

‘Cleaning silver-plated jewellery requires a softer touch, as the plating can wear away more easily,’ she says. ‘A gentle polish with a lint-free cloth should be all it needs.’ advises Lianna.

How to clean gemstone jewellery

Take extra care when cleaning your gemstone jewellery, as gemstones can be fragile and may naturally loosen with continued wear. Porous gemstones, including opals and pearls, can have different reactions to moisture. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe these after each wear and store them properly to prevent damage.

How to clean enamel jewellery

Give your enamel jewellery a gentle buff with a soft, non-abrasive microfibre or lint-free cloth. Don’t use chemicals, as this may damage the finish and cause discolouration of the metal.