Jewellery Care Mistakes to Avoid: 15 Habits That Ruin Imitation Jewellery

Most damage to imitation jewellery is not caused by poor quality. It is caused by everyday habits. Avoid these fifteen common mistakes and your pieces will look better for much longer.

Wearing mistakes

1. Spraying perfume while wearing jewellery

Alcohol and oils dull plating and damage pearl coatings. Instead: apply perfume first, let it dry, then put on jewellery. See Protecting Jewellery from Perfume and Cosmetics.

2. Showering, bathing or swimming in jewellery

Water, soap, chlorine and salt accelerate tarnish and loosen glued stones. Instead: remove jewellery before any water activity.

3. Sleeping in jewellery

Earrings bend, chains tangle, and pressure irritates skin. Instead: take jewellery off at night.

4. Exercising in jewellery

Sweat and impact damage finishes and settings. Instead: remove jewellery before workouts. See Jewellery Care During Exercise and Travel.

5. Applying hand sanitiser or cream with rings on

Instead: remove rings first and let hands dry.

6. Doing household chores in jewellery

Cleaning products and friction strip plating. Instead: remove rings and bracelets before cleaning, cooking with water or gardening.

Cleaning mistakes

7. Using toothpaste, baking soda or lemon

These are abrasive or acidic. Instead: use a soft, dry cloth. See How to Clean Imitation Jewellery Safely.

8. Using silver dips or polishing cloths on plated pieces

They can strip thin plating and remove oxidised or antique effects. Instead: wipe gently with a plain cloth.

9. Soaking stone-set or kundan-style jewellery

Water reaches foil backings and adhesives. Instead: never soak; wipe dry.

10. Using ultrasonic cleaners

Vibrations can loosen stones and damage plating. Instead: avoid ultrasonic cleaning for fashion jewellery.

Storage mistakes

11. Storing jewellery in the bathroom

Humidity accelerates tarnish. Instead: store in a cool, dry place with silica gel.

12. Throwing everything into one box or drawer

Pieces scratch and tangle. Instead: use compartments and pouches. See How to Store Jewellery Properly.

13. Storing jewellery while damp or dirty

Trapped moisture and residue cause tarnish. Instead: wipe and dry before storing.

14. Hanging heavy necklaces long-term

Weight stretches chains and threads. Instead: store heavy sets flat.

Repair mistakes

15. Ignoring a loose stone or weak clasp

Small problems become lost stones and lost pieces. Instead: stop wearing the piece and fix it promptly. See Loose Stones and Broken Clasps.

The good-habits summary

Key takeaway

Most jewellery damage is avoidable. Keep jewellery away from water, chemicals and abrasives, store it dry and separate, and fix small problems quickly. These habits protect your collection, and your investment, for years.

Written by

HANSINI369 Editorial Team

Our editors research jewellery types, materials, care and craft, and review guides when materials, standards or recommendations change. Read our editorial policy.