You invested in beautiful pieces — here's how to keep them looking that way for years. At Aurora Sparkle, we use 18k gold plating over solid brass with a protective e-coating that resists tarnish better than cheap fashion jewelry. But a little regular care goes a long way toward keeping your pieces bright, shiny, and beautiful.
The golden rule: put your jewelry on last and take it off first. Perfume, hairspray, lotion, and sunscreen all contain chemicals that can dull plating over time. Wait until your skin is fully dry after applying products before putting on your jewelry. This single habit will dramatically extend the life of your pieces.
Store each piece separately. Our jewelry comes with individual pouches for a reason — storing necklaces tangled together causes chain stretching, while rings bumping against each other can cause scratches. A jewelry box with individual compartments or even small ziplock bags works perfectly. The goal is keeping each piece from touching anything else when you're not wearing it.
Clean with a soft, dry cloth. When your pieces start looking dull, a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth (the kind that comes with eyeglasses or phone screens) is usually all you need. For a deeper clean, mix a drop of mild dish soap with warm water, soak for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Never use jewelry cleaners, polishing cloths with abrasives, or ultrasonic cleaners — they'll strip away the protective e-coating we worked so hard to apply.
Be mindful of water and sweat. Our pieces are water-resistant, but prolonged exposure to saltwater, chlorine, or heavy sweat can accelerate tarnishing. Remove rings before swimming, take off anklets before heading to the beach, and wipe down bracelets after a particularly intense workout. A quick rinse with fresh water after these activities is all it takes.
Rotate your pieces. The most well-loved pieces tend to fade the fastest simply because they're worn constantly. Having a rotation — three necklaces you wear in a week, four pairs of hoops, five rings — gives each piece a little break and helps your collection last longer overall. Plus, it's fun to rediscover pieces you haven't worn in a minute.
Keep them away from extreme temperatures and sunlight. Don't leave jewelry in your car on a hot day, and avoid storing pieces in direct sunlight. Our photosensitive birth month crystals in particular should be kept in the dark when not worn to preserve their color.
If a piece does start to tarnish, don't panic. Real tarnish is a natural patina that develops over time, especially on silver-plated pieces. Many of our customers actually love how their jewelry evolves and becomes uniquely theirs. If you prefer the shiny look, send it back to us — we offer a free re-plating service for life.
Jewelry is meant to be worn, celebrated, and loved. With these simple habits, your Aurora Sparkle collection will keep shining for years to come.