How to Care for Pearl, Gemstone & Gold-Plated Jewellery: A Simple Guide, Material by Material
To care for pearl, gemstone and gold-plated jewellery: put it on last, after perfume and lotion, and take it off first, before showering, swimming or the gym; rinse it with clean water after sweating and let it air dry; and store each piece separately in the pouch or box provided, away from sunlight.
Most jewellery care advice is a list of rules: don't shower in it, don't spray perfume on it. The rules are useful, but they're easier to remember once you know why.
Each Thread & Touch Jewellery piece is wire-wrapped by hand and combines up to four materials, and each one needs something slightly different. Here's what's going on with each, and what that means for everyday wear.
1. Freshwater pearls: soft, organic and sensitive to acid
Why they need care
Pearls aren't stones. They're grown by freshwater mussels, which coat a tiny irritant in layer after layer of nacre, the material that gives pearls their glow. Nacre is mostly calcium carbonate, the same mineral as chalk and seashells. That means two things:
- It's soft. Pearls rate only about 2.5–4.5 on the Mohs hardness scale (a 1–10 scale of how easily a material scratches; diamond is 10). Harder stones, metal, and even grit can scratch them.
- It reacts with acid. Perfume, hairspray, sunscreen, lotion and the acids in sweat slowly dull the surface, which is why pearls lose their lustre faster than anything else in your jewellery box.
What to do
- Put pearls on last, after perfume, lotion and makeup, and take them off first
- After wearing, wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth to remove skin oils
- If you've been sweating, a quick rinse with clean water is fine. Pat dry and let air dry fully. Just don't soak them.
- Store pearl pieces apart from harder stones so they don't get scratched
2. Natural gemstones: tough, but not all equally tough
Why they need care
Every gemstone has its own hardness, and the softer ones scratch more easily. Here's roughly where the stones I use sit on the Mohs scale:
| Gemstone | Approx. hardness | What that means |
|---|---|---|
| Aquamarine | 7.5–8 | Very durable |
| Tourmaline | 7–7.5 | Very durable |
| Amethyst, aventurine, chalcedony, agate | 6.5–7 | Durable for everyday wear |
| Garnet | 6.5–7.5 | Durable for everyday wear |
| Moonstone | 6–6.5 | Fairly durable; avoid hard knocks |
| Sodalite | 5.5–6 | Medium; scratches more easily |
| Obsidian | 5–5.5 | Medium; can chip if knocked |
| Fluorite | 4 | Soft; handle with extra care |
A useful rule of thumb: everyday dust contains tiny quartz particles at around hardness 7. Over time, stones softer than 7 can pick up fine scratches just from being wiped with a dusty cloth or tossed in a bag.
Some stones are also sensitive to light. Amethyst and fluorite can slowly fade if they sit in strong direct sunlight for long periods.
What to do
- Take off fluorite, obsidian and sodalite pieces before gardening, the gym or anything where they might get knocked
- Clean stones with a soft cloth, or a damp cloth if needed, then dry
- Store your jewellery out of direct sunlight, especially amethyst and fluorite
- Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and jewellery dips. They can crack softer stones and damage the plating.
3. Gold- and silver-plated copper wire: protect the surface layer
Why it needs care
The wire is copper with a thin layer of gold or silver colour plated over it, and a colour-fast protective coating on top. That coating is what keeps the colour bright, so caring for the wire really means caring for the surface. Three things wear it down:
- Friction: rubbing against clothes, bag straps or other jewellery
- Chemicals: perfume, cleaning products, chlorine in pools and hot tubs
- Sweat and moisture: salt and acids that sit on the surface for a long time
If plating ever wears through after a lot of wear, the copper underneath can darken, and sometimes it leaves a faint green mark on the skin. It's harmless and washes off, and it's a sign that piece has been well loved.
Wire-wrapped pieces are also shaped entirely by hand, so the wire holds its form through tension. Pulling, snagging or bending it repeatedly can loosen the wraps.
What to do
- Take your jewellery off before swimming, showering or cleaning
- Keep it away from perfume and cosmetics
- After sweating, rinse with clean water and let it air dry
- Never polish with abrasive cloths or toothpaste. They scratch off the coating.
- For open-band rings, adjust the size gently, once, rather than opening and closing it often. Metal weakens with repeated bending.
- Store each piece separately so wires don't tangle or rub against each other
4. Plated stainless steel chains and ear hooks: the low-maintenance part
Why it needs care
Stainless steel itself resists rust and corrosion, which is why I use it for chains and ear hooks. The plated colour on top follows the same rules as the wire: friction and chemicals wear it over time.
What to do
- Wipe after wearing, especially ear hooks, to remove skin oils
- Store chains laid flat or hanging, and fasten the clasp so they don't knot
Pieces featured in this guide
The short version
If you only remember three things:
- Last on, first off: after perfume and lotion, before showering, swimming and the gym
- Rinse after sweating, then air dry fully
- Store each piece separately, in the pouch or box provided, away from sunlight
Frequently asked questions
Can I shower with my jewellery on?
It's best not to. Soap, shampoo and hot water wear down the plating and dull pearls.
Can I wear it to the beach or pool?
Take it off first. Salt water and chlorine are hard on plating, pearls and softer stones.
My pearls look dull. Can I fix that?
Wipe them gently with a soft cloth slightly dampened with clean water, then let them dry. Don't use jewellery cleaner or vinegar, as acid damages pearls.
How should I store my jewellery while travelling?
Keep each piece in its own pouch or box, so nothing rubs or tangles.
About the author
Yiyi, founder and maker of Thread & Touch Jewellery
I wire-wrap every piece by hand in West Auckland, using natural gemstones and freshwater pearls. You'll find me most Saturdays at Britomart Saturday Market.