Looking After Your Jewellery

How to Keep Your Gold Jewellery Looking New

Gold jewellery tarnishes for one reason: the base metal underneath reacts with moisture, air and chemicals in ways that gold on its own wouldn't. The gold layer is fine. It's what's underneath it that matters.

Here's what you need to know.

Why some gold jewellery tarnishes and some doesn't

Stainless steel doesn't tarnish. It's one of the most stable metals there is, which is why our Everyday range is genuinely waterproof; you can shower, swim, spray perfume and sleep in it, and it won't change colour. The gold plating stays put because the base metal underneath it isn't reacting to anything.

Gold vermeil over sterling silver is different. Sterling silver can tarnish if it's exposed to moisture, sweat, sulphur (in the air, in some foods, in some cosmetics) and certain skincare ingredients. The vermeil plating protects it, but the better you treat the piece, the longer the plating lasts and the better the silver underneath is protected.

The Basics

• Put on Jewellery Last: Perfume, hairspray, moisturiser and skincare all contain chemicals that can accelerate tarnishing. Let everything dry first, then put your jewellery on.
• Take it off before swimming and showering, if it's demi fine. (Everyday stainless steel? Leave it on. That's the point.)
• Store it properly; Air and moisture cause tarnish. Every piece of Little Nell jewellery comes in a pouch or box for a reason — use it. One piece per pouch if possible, to avoid scratching.
• Clean it gently. A soft, dry cloth is all you need for most pieces. For a deeper clean, use a small amount of mild soap diluted in lukewarm water, rinse well, and dry immediately with a soft cloth. Never use abrasive cloths or silver dip on plated pieces.

If you notice tarnishing...

A little surface tarnish on sterling silver can often be removed with a soft polishing cloth. If the gold plating has worn significantly in a spot, there's no at-home fix — that's normal wear over time, and a sign you've genuinely used and loved the piece.

The Honest Version

No plated jewellery lasts forever. Gold vermeil lasts longer than standard plating, and stainless steel lasts longer than both — but all jewellery benefits from a little care. The difference between a piece that looks great for two years and one that looks tired after six months is almost always storage and whether you spray perfume on it.

Keep it in its pouch. Put it on last. That's mostly it.