Jewelry Care

OAKNOVA jewelry is solid 925 sterling silver under a thick layer of 18k gold — built for daily wear, not display. A few quiet habits will keep the finish warm for years.

The one rule: last on, first off

Put jewelry on as the final step of getting ready — after perfume, lotion, sunscreen, and hairspray have dried — and take it off first at the end of the day. Cosmetics and fragrance are the most common cause of dulled plating, and the fix costs nothing.

What to avoid

  • Water, then chemicals. Remove jewelry before showering, swimming, and hot tubs. Chlorine and salt water are the two fastest ways to wear down any gold plating; even soap film slowly dulls the finish.
  • Sweat and friction. Take pieces off for workouts and sleep. Friction against sheets, weights, and skin is what physically thins plating over time.
  • Household cleaners. Bleach, ammonia, and sulfur-based products attack both gold and silver. Gloves off, jewelry off.
  • Abrasives. Never use toothpaste, baking soda, silver dips, or ultrasonic cleaners on plated jewelry — they strip the gold layer.

Cleaning, step by step

  1. Mix a bowl of lukewarm water with a drop of mild, fragrance-free dish soap.
  2. Soak the piece for 2–3 minutes — no longer.
  3. If needed, work gently around settings and links with a very soft baby toothbrush or your fingertips. No scrubbing.
  4. Rinse in clean lukewarm water.
  5. Pat completely dry with a lint-free cloth, then let it air-dry fully before storing. Moisture trapped in a pouch is what causes tarnish.
  6. Finish with a light pass of a soft jewelry polishing cloth, using straight strokes rather than circles.

For most pieces, a monthly clean and a quick wipe after wear is plenty.

Storage

  • Store each piece separately — the pouch or box it arrived in is designed for exactly this. Metal-on-metal contact causes fine scratches that dull the finish.
  • Keep jewelry somewhere cool and dry, away from bathroom humidity and direct sun.
  • Fasten clasps before storing so chains don't knot; lay necklaces flat or hang them.
  • An anti-tarnish strip in the drawer is a cheap upgrade if you live somewhere humid.

How long will the plating last?

With the habits above, thick 18k plating over sterling silver keeps its color for years of regular wear — this is the same construction principle as gold vermeil, and it ages the same way. High-contact pieces (rings, bracelets) show wear before earrings and pendants; that is physics, not a defect. If something about your piece doesn't seem right, reach out via the Contact page with your order number and photos — we'll take a look.