How to Care for Your Jewellery: The Complete Guide

Cleaning, storing and protecting every piece — by material type

Reading time: 6 minutes  |  Published by Dyrberg/Kern NZ

Knowing how to care for your jewellery is one of the simplest ways to protect your investment and keep every piece looking as beautiful as the day you first wore it. Whether you have gold-plated earrings, sterling silver necklaces, delicate crystal bracelets or pearl rings, each material has different needs — and a few easy habits can make all the difference.

In this guide, we cover the golden rules of jewellery care, how to clean jewellery by material type, the best ways to store your pieces, and the common mistakes to avoid. Bookmark it, share it, and come back to it whenever you add a new piece to your collection.

In This Guide 1. The Golden Rules of Jewellery Care 2. How to Clean Jewellery by Material Type    — Gold-Plated  |  Sterling Silver  |  Oxidised Silver    — Crystal & Swarovski  |  Pearls  |  Enamel  |  Brass 3. How to Store Your Jewellery 4. What to Avoid 5. Frequently Asked Questions

1. The Golden Rules of Jewellery Care

Before diving into material-specific advice, these universal jewellery care tips apply to every piece in your collection:

•       Put jewellery on last — always after applying perfume, hairspray, moisturiser and makeup. Chemicals in cosmetics can dull metals, strip plating and damage delicate stones.

•       Take jewellery off first — before showering, swimming, exercising or going to bed. Moisture, chlorine and physical friction are among the biggest threats to jewellery longevity.

•       Keep every piece dry. If jewellery gets wet, pat it dry straight away with a soft cloth and allow it to air dry fully before storing.

•       Remove rings and bracelets before household chores. Cleaning products and dishwater contain chemicals that can corrode metals and strip gold plating.

•       Never spray perfume directly onto jewellery — particularly beads, crystals, pearls or any plated metal surface.

•       Store pieces separately to prevent scratching and tangling. Even softer metals can scratch one another when stored together.

Quick Tip Think of jewellery as the finishing touch to your outfit — last on, first off. This one habit alone will significantly extend the life of your pieces.

 

2. How to Clean Jewellery by Material Type

The best way to clean jewellery depends on what it's made from. Using the wrong method can dull a finish, strip plating or damage stones. Here's everything you need to know for each material type.

 

How to Clean Gold-Plated Jewellery

Gold-plated jewellery features a thin layer of real gold applied over a base metal. This layer is beautiful, but it can wear through over time with exposure to moisture, chemicals and everyday friction. The good news is that with consistent care, gold-plated jewellery can stay bright and vibrant for years.

Does gold-plated jewellery tarnish? Yes — the base metal beneath the gold layer can eventually tarnish or show through as the plating wears. This is normal and doesn't indicate poor quality. Regular gentle cleaning helps slow this process significantly.

 

Cleaning steps:

•       After each wear, wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth to remove oils and sweat — this is the single most effective daily habit.

•       For a deeper clean, dissolve a small drop of mild dish soap in lukewarm water. Soak the piece briefly, then use a very soft cloth or cotton ball to clean gently.

•       Rinse thoroughly in cool, clean water and pat completely dry before storing.

•       Never use abrasive polishes, silver cloths, toothpaste or baking soda — these will scratch and strip the gold layer.

Storage:

•       Store in the original box, a soft pouch, or a fabric-lined compartment — away from direct sunlight and humidity.

•       Keep pieces separate to avoid scratching the delicate gold surface.

 

How to Clean Sterling Silver Jewellery

Sterling silver (marked 925) is one of the most loved jewellery metals — and one that many people feel unsure about caring for. Silver tarnishes naturally as it reacts with oxygen and sulfur compounds in the air. This doesn't mean your jewellery is low quality; it's simply chemistry. And it's very easy to fix.

How to prevent silver from tarnishing: store it dry, away from humidity, and in a tarnish-resistant pouch. Wearing your silver regularly actually helps — the natural friction keeps it polished.

 

Cleaning steps:

•       Light tarnish: buff with a dedicated silver polishing cloth. Quick, easy, and highly effective.

•       Moderate tarnish: wash with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap using a soft cloth or very soft toothbrush. Rinse and dry immediately and thoroughly.

•       Heavy tarnish: use a silver cleaning solution, following product instructions. Rinse well and dry completely before storing.

•       Important: avoid silver dip solutions on pieces that include pearls, opals, turquoise or enamel, as these materials can be damaged by the chemicals.

Storage:

•       Keep silver completely dry — moisture is the primary driver of tarnishing.

•       Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth pouch or fabric-lined jewellery box.

•       Add a small silica gel sachet to your jewellery box, especially if you live in a humid area — this is particularly useful in New Zealand's coastal regions.

•       Never store silver near rubber bands or certain plastics, as sulfur compounds accelerate tarnishing.

How to Care for Oxidised Silver

Oxidised silver has an intentionally darkened finish that gives pieces an antique, characterful look. This patina is applied only to the outer surface, so gentle handling is essential to preserve it.

•       Clean with warm water, a small amount of pH-neutral soap, and a soft 100% cotton cloth only.

•       Do not use polishing cloths or abrasive cleaners — these will remove the oxidised finish and lighten the piece permanently.

•       Store individually to prevent the surface from being scratched by other pieces.

 

How to Care for Crystal & Swarovski Jewellery

Crystal stones, including Swarovski Elements, give jewellery its signature sparkle — but they're glass-based and require careful handling. Crystals can chip or crack if knocked, and certain substances can permanently cloud their surface.

 

Cleaning steps:

•       Wipe with a soft dry cloth only. Do not use liquid jewellery cleaners, water or chemical solutions on crystal pieces.

•       If a piece does get wet, dry immediately with a soft cloth.

•       Never spray perfume, hairspray or other products directly onto crystals — this causes clouding over time that cannot be reversed.

Handling and storage:

•       Handle with care — avoid knocking crystal pieces against hard surfaces or dropping them.

•       Store in individual organza bags or padded jewellery boxes to protect from impact and prevent scratching.

Did You Know? The Swarovski Elements crystals used in Dyrberg/Kern jewellery are precision-cut glass with a lead-free coating. They're beautiful — and best kept dry and away from chemicals.

How to Care for Pearl Jewellery

Pearls are organic gems — formed by living molluscs — and they are among the most delicate jewellery materials. They can be affected by acids, chemicals and even the natural acidity of skin over time, so they need a little more attention than most other pieces.

•       Wipe pearls with a soft, slightly damp cloth after each wear to remove body oils and perspiration.

•       Never submerge pearl jewellery in water and avoid ultrasonic cleaners — both can damage the pearl surface and weaken the silk thread.

•       Always apply perfume, hairspray and cosmetics before putting on pearl jewellery.

•       Store pearl necklaces flat (not hung) — hanging can stretch and weaken the silk thread over time.

•       Have pearl necklaces and bracelets professionally re-strung every one to two years if worn regularly.

How to Care for Enamel Jewellery

Enamel adds vivid colour and personality to jewellery. Whether it's fire enamel, cold enamel or enamel paint, the finish sits on the outermost surface and should be protected from impact and harsh chemicals.

•       Clean with warm water, a pH-neutral soap and a soft cotton cloth.

•       Avoid knocks and sudden temperature changes, which can cause the enamel to crack.

•       For enamel paint finishes: keep away from liquids containing solvents or alcohol, which can dissolve the surface layer.

•       Store individually to avoid chipping or scratching the enamel surface.

 

How to Care for Brass & Base Metal Jewellery

Brass and base metal pieces are often finished with beautiful patinas, plating or colour treatments. These surface treatments are applied to the outer layer only, so protecting that surface from scratches and chemicals is key.

•       Clean with warm water, a small amount of pH-neutral soap, and a soft cotton cloth.

•       Avoid acidic substances, bleach and abrasive cleaners, which can strip or discolour the finish.

•       Dry thoroughly after any contact with water.

•       Store individually away from other pieces.

 

3. How to Store Your Jewellery

 

Proper jewellery storage prevents tarnishing, scratching, tangling and physical damage. It also makes your morning routine easier. Here's how to do it right.

General Jewellery Storage Tips

•       Store each piece separately — compartmentalised jewellery boxes, individual soft pouches, or small resealable bags all work well.

•       Choose a cool, dry location. Avoid bathrooms and windowsills — humidity and sunlight both accelerate tarnishing and can fade certain coatings.

•       Use a fabric-lined jewellery box. Hard internal surfaces can scratch metals and chip stones.

•       Keep treasured or high-value pieces in their original boxes when not in use.

 

 

Storage by Piece Type

•       Necklaces: hang individually or lay flat to avoid tangles. For delicate chains, thread through a straw before coiling to prevent knots.

•       Rings: use a ring holder or individual soft compartments to keep them upright and from touching.

•       Earrings: store pairs together in small pouches or a dedicated earring organiser so you never lose a back.

•       Bracelets: lay flat or use a bracelet bar. Avoid stacking bangles with stones directly on top of each other.

Storing Jewellery in New Zealand's Climate

New Zealand's climate — particularly the humidity in coastal areas and during summer — presents some specific challenges for jewellery care:

•       Use silica gel sachets inside jewellery boxes, especially in Auckland, Wellington, or other coastal areas where humidity is higher.

•       If you live near the sea, gently wipe any jewellery that has been exposed to salt air and dry immediately.

•       In winter, avoid storing jewellery near heat sources such as radiators or sunny windowsills, as temperature fluctuations can stress certain materials.

 

4. What to Avoid

These are the habits that unknowingly shorten the life of most jewellery — avoid them and your pieces will last much longer:

•       Wearing jewellery in the shower, bath or swimming pool. Water, soap, chlorine and salt water all damage metals and plating over time.

•       Sleeping in jewellery. Friction against bedding, tangling, and pressure on pieces during sleep cause gradual but cumulative damage.

•       Spraying perfume, hairspray or deodorant onto jewellery. The alcohols and chemicals in these products dull finishes and corrode metals.

•       Applying hand cream while wearing rings. Lotion builds up under settings and dulls the metal finish.

•       Wearing jewellery while exercising, gardening or doing household cleaning. Physical abrasion and cleaning chemicals are highly damaging.

•       Storing all jewellery in one pile or bowl. Pieces scratch and tangle one another.

•       Using toothpaste, baking soda, bleach or vinegar to clean jewellery. Despite being popular home remedies, these are too abrasive or acidic for most jewellery materials.

 

 

5. Frequently Asked Questions About Jewellery Care

 

How often should I clean my jewellery?

For pieces worn daily, a quick wipe with a soft dry cloth after each wear is ideal. A deeper clean every two to four weeks helps maintain the finish. For jewellery worn occasionally, clean before and after each use and before storing for longer periods.

 

Can I clean jewellery with toothpaste?

No — toothpaste is too abrasive for most jewellery metals and finishes. It can scratch gold plating, dull silver, and damage stone settings. For silver, use a dedicated polishing cloth or mild soap and water. For gold-plated pieces, a soft cloth and lukewarm water with a tiny drop of dish soap is the safest option.

 

Does gold-plated jewellery tarnish?

Yes, over time the base metal beneath the gold layer can tarnish or show through as the plating wears. This is a natural process and doesn't mean the piece is low quality. Regular gentle cleaning and keeping the piece dry helps significantly. If the plating wears through, a professional jeweller can often re-plate the piece.

 

How do I stop silver jewellery from tarnishing?

Store silver completely dry in a tarnish-resistant pouch or fabric-lined box. Add a silica gel sachet to absorb moisture — especially important in New Zealand's humid coastal areas. Avoid storing silver near rubber bands or certain plastics. Interestingly, wearing your silver regularly helps too, as friction from daily wear acts as a natural polish.

 

Is it OK to wear jewellery in the shower?

No — showering with jewellery on is one of the most common causes of premature wear. Water, soap, shampoo and steam all affect metals and plating. Gold-plated pieces are especially vulnerable. Even sterling silver is best kept out of the shower to avoid accelerated tarnishing. Make it a habit to remove all jewellery before showering.

 

How should I store pearl jewellery?

Store pearl necklaces and bracelets flat rather than hung — hanging puts tension on the silk thread and can weaken it over time. Keep pearls in a soft pouch or fabric-lined box, away from other pieces that could scratch the surface. Avoid storing pearls in airtight containers as they need a small amount of humidity to prevent drying out.

 

Can I wear jewellery to the gym?

It's best to remove jewellery before any exercise. Sweat is acidic and can accelerate tarnishing on silver and wear on gold plating. Physical impact and friction during gym workouts can also bend, scratch or break delicate pieces. If you prefer to wear something, choose a simple piece — and clean it thoroughly immediately after.

 

A little care goes a long way.

Your jewellery is made to be worn and enjoyed. With the right habits, every piece in your collection — whether it's a pair of everyday earrings or a special occasion necklace — can stay beautiful for years, even decades. Clean it gently, store it thoughtfully, and give it the care it deserves.

Shop our full jewellery collection at dyrbergkern.co.nz — and if you have any questions about caring for a specific piece, our team is always happy to help.