How to Clean Fashion Jewelry: Keep the Shine Without the Damage

Fashion jewelry doesn't ask for much — but a little care goes a long way. Most pieces lose their shine not from wearing them, but from what builds up on them: skin oils, perfume, lotion and everyday dust. The good news: cleaning them properly takes less than ten minutes and costs almost nothing.

The safest method works for almost every piece we sell. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap into warm (not hot) water. Soak the jewelry for five to ten minutes, then gently brush with a soft toothbrush, paying attention to settings and links where dirt hides. Rinse under lukewarm water and pat completely dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Never air-dry — trapped moisture is the main cause of tarnish.

A few things to avoid. Skip toothpaste, baking soda scrubs and silver dips on gold-plated or coated pieces: they are abrasives and will strip the finish. Keep jewelry away from perfume, hairspray and cleaning products — put pieces on last, take them off first. And remove rings and bracelets before swimming, showering or exercising; chlorine and sweat are the two fastest ways to dull a finish.

Storage matters as much as cleaning. Store pieces separately in a dry box or soft pouches so harder stones don't scratch softer ones, and add a small anti-tarnish strip if you live somewhere humid. For our opalite and moonstone pieces, wipe with a soft cloth only — these stones prefer the gentlest treatment of all.

With this routine, fashion jewelry keeps its glow for years. And if a favorite piece ever needs more than a home clean, our care team is one message away.