Gold-plated jewellery gives you the beautiful look of gold while offering an accessible way to enjoy different styles, from delicate everyday pieces to statement necklaces and earrings. With the right care, you can help your favourite jewellery maintain its shine and beautiful finish for longer.
Gold plating is a thin layer of gold applied over another metal. Because the gold layer can gradually wear with regular exposure to moisture, chemicals, friction and everyday activities, the way you wear and store your jewellery makes a difference.
Here are some simple habits that can help extend the life of your gold-plated jewellery.
1. Keep Your Jewellery Away From Water
One of the easiest ways to protect gold-plated jewellery is to minimise its exposure to moisture.
Try to remove your jewellery before:
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Showering or bathing
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Swimming in a pool or the ocean
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Exercising
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Washing dishes
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Spending extended periods in humid or wet environments
Chlorine, salt water and prolonged moisture can affect the finish of gold-plated jewellery over time. Aster & Aura also recommends removing its jewellery before swimming or showering to help preserve the colour.
If your jewellery accidentally gets wet, gently dry it with a soft microfiber cloth before storing it.
2. Apply Perfume and Skincare Before Your Jewellery
Perfume, moisturisers, lotions, sunscreen and other beauty products can come into contact with your jewellery throughout the day.
Rather than putting these products on after your jewellery, apply your perfume and skincare first. Allow them to dry or absorb into your skin before putting your jewellery on.
This simple change can reduce the amount of product that comes into contact with the plated surface.
3. Take Jewellery Off Before Exercise
Sweat and moisture are part of everyday life, but they aren't ideal for gold-plated jewellery.
If you're heading to the gym, going for a run or doing another activity that causes you to sweat, consider removing your jewellery beforehand.
This is particularly helpful for pieces that sit directly against your skin, such as necklaces, bracelets and rings.
4. Avoid Sleeping in Your Jewellery
It can be tempting to leave your favourite necklace or earrings on overnight, especially if you wear them every day.
However, sleeping in jewellery can create unnecessary friction. Chains can become tangled, delicate pieces can catch on bedding and repeated movement can contribute to wear.
Taking your jewellery off before bed gives your pieces a break and also gives you the opportunity to store them properly overnight.
5. Store Each Piece Carefully
How you store your jewellery is just as important as how you wear it.
Keep your gold-plated pieces somewhere:
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Dry
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Cool
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Away from direct sunlight
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Protected from unnecessary friction
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Separate from pieces that could scratch or tangle them
Aster & Aura recommends storing its jewellery in the card insert, envelope and silk bag provided with the jewellery.
Keeping individual pieces separated can also help prevent necklaces from becoming tangled and reduce unnecessary rubbing between jewellery pieces.
6. Be Gentle When Putting Jewellery On and Taking It Off
Gold-plated jewellery should be handled with care.
Avoid pulling, twisting or bending pieces unnecessarily. When removing necklaces, gently undo the clasp rather than pulling the chain. For earrings, hold the appropriate part of the earring when removing them instead of putting pressure on delicate sections.
Small habits like these can help reduce unnecessary stress and friction on your jewellery.
7. Give Your Jewellery a Quick Wipe After Wearing
You don't need to deep-clean your jewellery every time you wear it.
Instead, make it a habit to gently wipe your pieces with a soft, clean microfiber cloth after wearing them. This can help remove moisture, oils and everyday residue before the jewellery goes back into storage.
For a more detailed cleaning routine, see our guide on How to Clean Gold-Plated Jewellery Without Damaging It.
8. Don't Use Harsh Cleaning Products
More cleaning doesn't necessarily mean better cleaning.
Avoid using abrasive products or harsh chemicals on gold-plated jewellery. Rough materials can create friction against the surface, while strong chemicals may affect the finish.
For everyday care, gentle handling and a soft microfiber cloth are usually the better approach.
9. Rotate Your Favourite Pieces
If you have a few favourite jewellery pieces, you don't have to wear the same ones every single day.
Rotating your jewellery gives each piece a chance to rest and can help reduce repeated exposure to moisture, skincare products, friction and everyday activities.
It also gives you more opportunities to enjoy different combinations and create new jewellery looks.
10. Remember That Gold Plating Naturally Wears Over Time
Even with excellent care, gold plating won't last forever.
Because the gold layer is applied over another metal, repeated wear will eventually cause some areas to become thinner. How quickly this happens can depend on factors such as the thickness of the plating, how frequently the piece is worn and how it is cared for.
The goal of good jewellery care isn't to prevent natural wear completely. Instead, it's about slowing the process and helping your pieces look beautiful for as long as possible.
Your Gold-Plated Jewellery Care Checklist
For an easy reminder, keep these habits in mind:
DO:
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Keep jewellery away from water and moisture.
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Apply perfume and skincare before putting jewellery on.
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Remove jewellery before swimming and showering.
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Take jewellery off before exercising and sleeping.
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Wipe pieces gently with a soft microfiber cloth.
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Store pieces somewhere dry and protected.
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Handle delicate jewellery gently.
DON'T:
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Swim or shower while wearing your jewellery.
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Expose pieces unnecessarily to chlorine or salt water.
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Apply perfume directly onto your jewellery.
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Use abrasive cleaning products.
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Pull or twist delicate chains and components.
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Store jewellery where it can rub against other pieces.
Enjoy Your Jewellery for Longer
Gold-plated jewellery is designed to be enjoyed, and a little extra care can make a big difference to how long your favourite pieces maintain their beautiful finish.
You don't need a complicated routine. Keeping jewellery dry, storing it carefully, avoiding unnecessary exposure to chemicals and handling it gently are simple habits that can help extend its life.
At Aster & Aura, our 18k gold-plated jewellery is designed for effortless everyday styling, from delicate earrings and necklaces to statement pieces. With the right care, you can continue wearing and enjoying your favourite pieces for longer.
Discover the Aster & Aura collection and find your next everyday favourite.