Good jewellery is an investment, whether it's a 925 sterling silver ring you wear daily, a plated pendant you love, or a moissanite diamond stone that catches every bit of light. It often carries memories too: a gift, a celebration, a milestone. Yet most jewellery loses its shine not because of age, but because of small everyday habits.

The good news is that jewellery care doesn't take much time or money. This guide covers the basics that apply to everything, then the specific care for 925 silver jewellery, plated jewellery, and moissanite jewellery, so your pieces look as good in five years as they do today.

Why jewellery care matters

Jewellery is in constant contact with your skin. Sweat, natural oils, lotions, perfumes, dust, and humidity settle on it every day, causing dullness, tarnish, scratches, loose stones, and fading plating. In a warm, humid climate like India, this happens faster: heat means more sweat, and monsoon moisture speeds up tarnish. That's why regular care matters even more here.

The 5 golden rules of jewellery care

1. Put jewellery on last and take it off first. Perfume, hairspray, body lotion, sunscreen and makeup should go on before your jewellery. These products leave a film that dulls metal and stones.
2. Remove it before water, sweat, and chores. Take jewellery off before bathing, swimming, workouts, cooking, and cleaning.
3. Store each piece separately. Pieces thrown together scratch each other, and chains tangle into knots that stress the links.
4. Clean gently and regularly. A quick clean once a month does more than an aggressive deep clean once a year.
5. Avoid harsh chemicals. Bleach, chlorine, acetone, hair dye and strong detergents damage metals, plating and some stones.

How to care for 925 sterling silver jewellery

925 sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver blended with 7.5% copper, which makes it strong enough for everyday wear. It is also the metal that tarnishes most when ignored.

How to stop silver from tarnishing

Silver tarnishes when it reacts with air, moisture and sulphur. That dark film is not permanent damage. To slow it down:

• Wipe the piece with a silver polishing cloth after wearing it
• Store it in an airtight pouch or zip bag
• Add an anti-tarnish strip or a silica gel packet to the box
• Keep it away from perfume and body spray

Silver that is worn often tends to tarnish less than silver left in a drawer, because wearing keeps the surface polished.

How to clean silver jewellery at home

1. Mix lukewarm water with a few drops of mild dish soap.
2. Soak the piece for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Gently brush with a soft baby toothbrush, especially behind stones and between links.
4. Rinse under lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Avoid toothpaste and baking soda. They may seem to polish, but they leave fine scratches that dull the surface.

How to care for moissanite jewellery

Moissanite is one of the hardest gemstones available, second only to diamond. That makes moissanite diamond jewellery a great choice for everyday wear. It is heat-resistant and doesn't cloud or fade over time. Even so, it can look dull if it isn't cleaned.

Why moissanite looks cloudy

When moissanite loses its sparkle, the stone is almost never the problem. Skin oils, lotion, soap residue, and dust build up on the surface and underneath, where light enters. This film blocks the light.

How to clean moissanite

1. Soak the piece in warm water with mild dish soap for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Use a soft toothbrush to clean around and behind the stone, where most buildup hides.
3. Rinse well until no soap is left.
4. Dry with a lint-free cloth.

Cleaning every two to four weeks is a good habit if you wear it daily. Remember the setting too: the metal around the stone needs the care described for its type, so a plated moissanite ring should be kept dry and not soaked.

How to care for plated jewellery

Plated jewellery has a thin layer of metal, such as gold or rhodium, over a base. It gives you a beautiful finish, but because the layer is thin, gentle habits matter most.

• Keep it dry. Water, sweat, and humidity wear plating down fastest. Wipe each piece with a soft, dry cloth after wearing.
• Skip soaking and scrubbing. Soap soaks, abrasive cloths and polishing dips can strip plating. For stubborn dirt, use a barely damp cloth and dry immediately.
• Keep perfume and lotion away. Apply them first, let them dry, then put your jewellery on.
• Wear in rotation. Wearing the same plated piece every day wears the plating sooner.
• Store it well. Use individual airtight pouches with an anti-tarnish strip or silica gel packet.

Replating: bringing a favourite piece back to life

Plating wears off gradually with use. This is normal, not a defect. When a piece loses its colour or shine, replating restores it. That's why KOWF offers a Lifetime Replating Warranty, so a well-loved piece can get a fresh finish instead of being replaced. Check the warranty terms on our site or contact our team for details.

How to care for gold jewellery

Gold is soft and scratches easily, especially in higher purities like 22k. Avoid wearing it during physical work, keep it away from chlorine (which can weaken gold alloys), and store each piece separately. Clean it with the same lukewarm soapy water method used for silver.

Everyday storage tips

• Use a jewellery box with soft, separate compartments, or individual pouches.
• Keep jewellery away from direct sunlight and bathrooms, where moisture is highest.
• Fasten necklace and bracelet clasps before storing to prevent tangling.
• Pack travel jewellery in a small padded case, not loose in a bag.
• During monsoon, add silica gel packets to boxes and drawers.

Mistakes that shorten the life of your jewellery

• Sleeping or showering in jewellery regularly
• Cleaning with toothpaste, baking soda, or harsh scrubs
• Piling everything together in one drawer
• Wearing delicate pieces for gym sessions or heavy work
• Putting on perfume or lotion after wearing jewellery
• Ignoring loose stones, bent prongs or weak clasps

When to see a professional jeweller

Get a piece checked if a stone feels loose, a clasp won't hold, a chain has weak links, a ring has bent prongs, or plating has worn through. Early repairs cost far less than replacing a lost stone. If you want a piece resized or redesigned, you can also explore our custom jewellery service.

A simple jewellery care routine

• After every wear: Wipe with a soft, dry cloth and store in its own pouch.
• Once a month: Clean silver and moissanite with mild soap and water. Wipe plated pieces dry only.
• Every six months: Check settings, clasps and chains.
• Once a year: Have valued pieces checked and replate any that have faded.

KOWF best sellers: jewellery made to last

Looking for pieces that are built for everyday wear? These are the top-selling pieces on our site, all in 925 sterling silver with moissanite diamonds and covered by our Lifetime Replating Warranty:

• Cushion Shape Earrings (1 PC): a best-selling moissanite earring and an easy first piece.
• Round Shape Earrings (1 PC): a classic round moissanite stud.
• Princess Shape Earrings (1 PC): a clean, square-cut everyday earring.
• Portuguese Cut Earring: a 1 Carat 925 silver moissanite earring with a distinctive cut.
• Triangle Cut Wrapped Stud (1 PC) and Trillion Shape Earrings: bold geometric studs.
• Luxe Knot Ring: a statement 925 sterling silver moissanite ring.
• Royal Panther Diamond Ring and Apex Ring: popular rings with a strong look.
• Trillion Cut Solitaire Diamond Huggie Bali: a comfortable huggie for daily wear.
• Style Kada: a 925 sterling silver kada.

This season's hot pick is the Round Halo Diamond Tennis Bracelet. Browse the full best-seller collection, women's earrings, men's studs, or Cuban chains and bracelets.

Final thoughts

Jewellery care comes down to a few habits: put it on last, take it off first, keep it dry, store it separately, and clean it gently. Do this consistently, and your 925 silver, plated, and moissanite pieces will stay bright for years.

FAQs