Caring for 925 silver and gold-plated jewelry
A well-kept piece will last years without losing its shine. A few simple habits are enough — and, above all, a few mistakes to avoid.
Why silver tarnishes
Silver does not rust the way iron does: it sulphidises. On contact with sulphur compounds in the air, in perspiration or in some cosmetics, the surface takes on a thin brown then black film. It is neither wear nor a defect, and it is entirely reversible.
What rhodium plating does
Our 925 silver pieces are rhodium-plated: covered with a microscopic layer of rhodium, a platinum-family metal that does not sulphidise. That layer greatly delays tarnishing and gives silver its bright white tone. It thins with friction over time, faster on a ring than on a pendant.
Everyday habits
One sentence covers it: jewelry goes on last and comes off first. In practice, take it off before showering, swimming, exercising or cleaning. Let perfume, cream and hairspray dry fully before putting it on — alcohol and oils attack rhodium and gold plating alike.
Gentle cleaning
A soft dry cloth, wiped over the piece after wearing, is enough most of the time. For a deeper clean, use lukewarm water with a drop of neutral soap, for a few seconds only, then dry carefully. Drying matters as much as washing: leftover moisture speeds up tarnishing.
Store away from the air
Keep each piece separately, in a fabric pouch or a closed box. Open air tarnishes, and pieces that rub together scratch each other. Gold plating in particular scratches against anything harder.
What you should never do
- Toothpaste. An abrasive that shines in the moment and wears through rhodium or gold plating for good.
- Ultrasonic baths on stones. Effective on bare metal, they loosen settings and crack softer stones.
- Stripping dips. They dissolve the plating along with the tarnish.
This applies across the collection, from necklaces to bracelets, which take the most friction.
