How to Care for Your Jewelry

A small routine, a little more shine

The pieces you reach for every day deserve a little attention at the end of the day. Take them off gently, wipe away fingerprints and residue, and give each piece its own place to rest. You do not need a shelf of cleaning products to care for your jewelry.

Start with Materials & details on your product page. The finish, stones and decorative details matter as much as the base metal. Follow any instructions for your particular piece, especially if it includes pearls, shell, enamel or a glued setting.

How to clean your jewelry at home

1. Check the piece first. Look for a loose stone, an open connecting ring or a clasp that does not close securely. If something feels loose, stop wearing it and contact us before cleaning or trying a repair.
2. Start with a dry cloth. Use a clean, soft, non-abrasive cloth to lift fingerprints and everyday residue. Wipe gently instead of scrubbing, and support fine chains as you work.
3. Use moisture sparingly. If a plain metal area still needs attention, lightly dampen the cloth with clean, lukewarm water and wipe that area. Avoid soaking the whole piece. Keep moisture away from glued settings and follow the guidance for delicate details below.
4. Dry before storing. Pat gently with a dry cloth and let remaining moisture evaporate at room temperature. Do not use a hair dryer, radiator or direct heat.

Skip toothpaste, baking soda, rough brushes, metal polish and cleaning cloths treated with polishing compounds. Avoid chemical jewelry dips and household cleaners. If gentle wiping does not remove a mark, ask us before using a stronger method.

Looking after gold plating and other finishes

A plated finish is a surface layer, so treat it gently even when the metal underneath is sturdy. Apply perfume, body lotion and hair products before putting your jewelry on, and let them dry first. Avoid spraying fragrance directly onto your pieces.

Take jewelry off before handling bleach or household cleaning chemicals. Keep rings and bracelets away from abrasive surfaces, and avoid rubbing pieces together while cleaning them. The same gentle approach suits both gold-tone and silver-tone plated styles.

Pearls, shell, stones and decorative details

Pearls and shell

Wipe pearls with a very soft, clean cloth after wearing. Keep them apart from sharp edges and harder jewelry, and away from heat, perfume and hairspray. Do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners on pearls. For a piece combining pearls or shell with metal, clean the metal carefully without soaking the decorative parts.

For more on pearl care, see the Gemological Institute of America's pearl care guide.

Cubic zirconia, enamel and settings

Gently wipe the visible surfaces and avoid forcing a cloth into claws or small gaps. A stone can be durable while its setting still needs gentle handling. Avoid knocks, prolonged soaking, steam and ultrasonic cleaning for these details. If a stone moves, a setting catches on clothing or enamel is damaged, contact us rather than trying to bend or glue it back.

What to do if your jewelry gets wet

Pat the piece dry with a soft cloth. For a plain metal surface with salt or pool residue, wipe it gently with a cloth dampened with fresh water, then dry it. Avoid rubbing grains of sand across the finish. Let the piece dry fully before putting it away.

For pearls, shell, enamel and glued settings, avoiding prolonged water exposure is the gentler choice. Removing these pieces before swimming or showering helps protect details that may need different care from the metal.

Store pieces separately, at home and away

Use individual soft pouches or separate lined compartments to keep pieces from rubbing together. Fasten necklace and bracelet clasps before storing them, lay fine chains without tight knots, and keep earring pairs together. Choose a place away from bathroom steam and direct heat.

When traveling, give delicate shapes their own compartment rather than packing them loose at the bottom of a bag. Avoid bending an open ring or cuff unless its product description specifically says it is adjustable; even an adjustable piece should not be repeatedly stretched back and forth.

Care advice and your BG warranty

Normal contact with shower water, sweat, pool water or sea water does not by itself void the limited color warranty. Product-specific care instructions and warranty exclusions still apply. This coverage provides a remedy for qualifying finish failure; it is not a promise that every part of a piece is waterproof or immune to damage.

For the full terms, read our jewelry warranties. If you notice a change in the finish or a problem with a clasp, email info@bellagarnett.com with your order number, product name and clear photos. Keep the piece while we help you with the next step.