At Aiyah, each piece of jewelry is crafted with love either in our in-house jewelry studio or by the incredible jeweler's whose work we carry, and they are meant to be cherished by you. With a little extra care, your jewelry will continue to shine for years to come.
Always remove your jewelry before engaging in activities that could cause physical damage. This includes swimming (oceans and pools alike), working out, cleaning or washing the dishes, or showering.
Sterling Silver
1. Avoid Exposure to Moisture and Chemicals
- Store properly: Keep sterling silver in an airtight bag or container with anti-tarnish strips when not wearing it. Humidity is a key factor in tarnishing.
- Remove jewelry: Before swimming, showering, or doing household chores, take off your sterling silver pieces to prevent exposure to water, chlorine, and harsh chemicals.
2. Clean Regularly
- Polish with a soft cloth: Gently rub your silver with a microfiber or a special silver polishing cloth to remove tarnish and restore shine. Avoid paper towels or tissues, as they can scratch the metal.
- Use mild soap: For deeper cleaning, mix mild dish soap with warm water, dip the jewelry, and use a soft brush (like a baby toothbrush) to clean crevices. Rinse with cool water and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
3. Wear Often
- Believe it or not, wearing sterling silver frequently can help keep it polished. Natural oils from your skin will help prevent tarnishing.
Gold Plated and Gold-Filled
Gold plated and gold filled jewelry are beautiful and affordable alternatives to solid gold, but they need special care to maintain their luster. Here's how to care for each to ensure they last as long as possible.
1. Minimize Exposure to Water and Chemicals
- Remove before water contact: Both gold plated and gold filled jewelry can tarnish or lose their shine when exposed to water, sweat, and chemicals. Always take them off before swimming, showering, or exercising.
- Avoid lotions and perfumes: Apply perfumes, lotions, and makeup first, and allow them to dry before putting on your jewelry to prevent chemical damage.
2. Clean Gently
- Wipe down after wearing: After each wear, use a soft, non-abrasive cloth to gently remove oils, sweat, and dust that can cause tarnishing. Be careful not to rub too hard! This can remove the gold layer.
- Occasional soapy water cleaning: Use warm water and mild soap to gently clean both types of jewelry. For gold plated, be extra cautious—use a soft cloth to gently rub the surface, avoiding scrubbing. Gold filled jewelry can handle slightly more vigorous cleaning with a soft brush. Rinse well and dry thoroughly.
3. Store Carefully
- Avoid scratching: Both gold plated and gold filled pieces can scratch easily. Store them separately in soft pouches or lined jewelry boxes to prevent contact with other jewelry.
- Use anti-tarnish strips: To keep your jewelry bright and tarnish-free, include anti-tarnish strips in your storage container to absorb moisture from the air.
4. Rotate Wearing
- Give your jewelry a break: To extend the life of the gold plating or the gold filled layer, rotate your jewelry. Wearing the same pieces daily can cause the finish to wear off faster. We recommend saving your fun gold plated pieces for special occasions.
Key Differences
- Gold Plated: Gold plated jewelry has a very thin layer of gold, so extra care is needed to avoid wearing away the gold over time. Handle gently and avoid rubbing or scrubbing.
- Gold Filled: Gold filled jewelry is more durable, with a thicker layer of gold bonded to the base metal, making it longer-lasting. However, it can still tarnish or fade with exposure to water and chemicals, so care is still important.
Solid Gold
Gold is a precious metal that doesn’t tarnish like silver, but it can still dull or scratch over time without proper care. Whether 14K, 18K, or 24K gold, here’s how to care for your real gold jewelry:
1. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
- Remove before using products: Gold can react with chemicals in household cleaners, beauty products, perfumes, and lotions. Make sure to apply products like lotion or perfume before putting on your gold jewelry.
- Keep away from chlorine: Avoid wearing gold jewelry in swimming pools or hot tubs, as chlorine can weaken and discolor gold, especially at higher karat levels.
2. Handle with Care
- Avoid rough activities: While gold is durable, it is also a soft metal that can scratch or bend, especially at higher purities (like 24K). Remove gold jewelry before engaging in activities like sports, heavy lifting, or other hands-on tasks.
- Separate storage: Store gold jewelry separately from other metals or gemstones to prevent scratching. Use a soft pouch or jewelry box with compartments for safe storage.
3. Clean Regularly
- Mild soap and warm water: The safest way to clean gold jewelry is with warm water and a mild dish soap. Soak the jewelry for a few minutes, then use a soft brush (like a toothbrush) to gently clean any dirt or buildup. Rinse well and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners: Steer clear of harsh chemicals, toothpaste, or abrasive cleaners, which can damage the surface of the gold.
4. Buff for Shine
- Use a soft polishing cloth: Gently buffing your gold jewelry with a soft cloth helps maintain its shine. For deeper cleaning, you can use a jewelry polishing cloth specifically made for gold.
5. Occasionally Get Professional Cleanings
- For heavily worn pieces: Every once in a while, take your gold jewelry to a professional jeweler for a deeper clean and inspection. They can check for loose settings and restore the piece to its original brilliance.
Brass and Bronze
Brass and bronze are popular for their warm, vintage look, but they tend to tarnish over time due to exposure to air, moisture, and skin oils.
1. Prevent Tarnishing
- Avoid moisture: Keep brass and bronze jewelry dry by removing it before showering, swimming, or exercising. Water and humidity can cause tarnishing and greening.
- Limit exposure to skin: Since brass and bronze can react with your skin’s natural oils, wearing the jewelry over clothing (such as bracelets over sleeves) can reduce direct contact.
- Keep away from chemicals: Avoid contact with perfumes, lotions, and household cleaners, which can accelerate tarnishing.
2. Clean Regularly
- Polish with a soft cloth: After wearing, wipe down your brass or bronze jewelry with a soft, non-abrasive cloth to remove oils, sweat, and dust.
- Homemade cleaning solution: If your jewelry begins to tarnish or develop patina, mix equal parts lemon juice and baking soda to create a paste. Rub the paste onto the jewelry using a soft cloth, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with water and dry thoroughly. Alternatively, you can use ketchup or vinegar to restore shine.
- Commercial cleaners: You can also use brass or bronze-specific cleaners available in stores, but make sure to follow the instructions carefully.
3. Protect from Patina
- Seal with lacquer: To slow down tarnishing, you can apply a thin coat of jewelry-grade lacquer or clear nail polish on the surface of your brass or bronze pieces. This acts as a barrier against moisture and air, reducing the formation of patina.
- Wax polish: You can also apply a thin coat of clear car wax or furniture wax to protect the metal’s finish while maintaining its shine.
4. Store Properly
- Store in a dry place: Keep your brass and bronze jewelry in a cool, dry environment, away from humidity. Use airtight containers or plastic bags to prevent exposure to air.
- Use anti-tarnish strips: Place anti-tarnish strips in your storage container to absorb moisture and slow down the oxidation process.
By following these simple steps, your Aiyah jewelry will stay as radiant as the day you first wore it!