How to Care for Artificial & Zircon Jewellery (So It Lasts Longer)

Artificial and zircon jewellery gives you the sparkle and elegance of fine jewellery without the heavy price tag — which means you can build a beautiful collection of versatile sets. The one catch is that it needs a little care to stay shiny and bright. The good news: protecting your jewellery is easy once you know a few simple habits. Follow these tips and your favourite pieces will keep their shine for far longer.

Why artificial jewellery tarnishes

Most artificial jewellery has a polished gold-tone, silver-tone or rose-tone metal finish over a base metal. Over time, exposure to moisture, sweat, perfume, lotions and air can wear down that finish and make it look dull. The stones themselves stay sparkly, but the metal needs protecting. Almost all of jewellery care comes down to keeping these things away from your pieces.

The golden rule: last on, first off

This is the most important habit of all. Put your jewellery on last, after you have done your hair, makeup, perfume and outfit — and take it off first when you get home. This keeps it away from sprays, creams and friction, which are the biggest causes of dullness.

Keep it away from water, sweat and chemicals

• Remove jewellery before showering, washing your hands, swimming, exercising or doing chores.
• Avoid perfume and hairspray touching your pieces — spray first, then put your jewellery on.
• Wipe off sweat gently after wearing, especially in hot weather, before storing.

A few seconds of care here makes a huge difference to how long the finish lasts.

How to clean it gently

When your jewellery needs freshening up:

1. Use a soft, dry cloth (a microfibre or jewellery cloth is ideal) to gently wipe each piece after wearing.
2. For a deeper clean, lightly dampen a soft cloth with water, wipe, then dry it completely straight away — never leave moisture on the metal.
3. Avoid harsh chemicals, toothpaste, or scrubbing — these can strip the plating.
4. For stone settings, a soft dry brush can lift dust from around the stones so they keep sparkling.

How to store it properly

Storage is where most pieces are won or lost:

• Keep jewellery in an airtight box or zip-lock pouch to limit contact with air and moisture.
• Store pieces separately so they don't rub or scratch each other — small individual pouches are perfect for sets.
• Keep your jewellery box in a cool, dry place, away from bathrooms and direct sunlight.
• Tossing a small silica gel packet into your jewellery box helps absorb moisture and slows tarnishing.

A few things to avoid

• Don't sleep, shower or swim in your jewellery.
• Don't store it in a humid bathroom.
• Don't pile pieces loosely together in one box.
• Don't use abrasive cleaners or rough cloths.

Make your collection last

With just a little care — last on, first off, kept dry, and stored separately — your artificial and zircon jewellery can stay beautiful for a very long time. That is the real value of well-made pieces: a small collection of sets that you can mix, match and wear again and again.

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