Jewelry Care Guide

At AANI & RU, we design pieces meant to be worn and cherished. With a little care, your jewelry can stay beautiful for much longer. Follow these simple tips to protect your gold-plated and fashion pieces.

🧼 Gentle Cleaning

Gold-plated and fashion jewelry requires a gentler approach than solid gold or silver.

Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently buff your piece after each wear — this removes oils, sweat, and light residue before they build up.
For a deeper clean, dampen a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a tiny drop of mild, fragrance-free soap. Wipe gently, then immediately pat completely dry.
Let the piece air-dry on a clean towel before storing — never store damp jewelry.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush only if needed on textured surfaces, with minimal pressure.

🚫 What to Avoid

These are the most common causes of tarnish and plating wear on fashion jewelry:

Water exposure — Remove your jewelry before showering, swimming, or washing dishes. Chlorine and salt water are especially damaging.
Perfume, hairspray & lotions — Apply beauty products first; let them dry fully before putting on your jewelry. Chemicals in these products accelerate tarnish.
Sweat — Remove pieces before exercise or activities that cause heavy perspiration.
Harsh chemicals — Keep jewelry away from cleaning products, hand sanitizer, and bleach.
Ultrasonic cleaners & jewelry dips — These can strip plating quickly. Avoid for plated or fashion pieces.
Sleeping or showering in your jewelry — Even occasional overnight wear adds cumulative wear.

🗄️ Storage Tips

How you store your jewelry matters as much as how you clean it.

Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or compartmentalized jewelry box to prevent scratching.
Keep jewelry in a cool, dry place away from humidity and direct sunlight — both accelerate tarnish.
Anti-tarnish strips placed in your jewelry box or pouch can extend the life of plated pieces significantly.
Avoid storing jewelry in bathrooms, where humidity levels fluctuate daily.
For necklaces, hang or lay flat to prevent tangling and stress on delicate chains.

💎 Care by Material

Gold-Plated Pieces

Gold-plated jewelry has a layer of gold bonded over a base metal. The thickness of that layer determines longevity. To preserve it:

Minimize contact with moisture, sweat, and chemicals.
The soft-cloth wipe after every wear is your best daily habit.
Accept that plating will naturally wear over time — especially on high-contact areas like clasps and the inside of bangles.

Fashion & Alloy Jewelry

Fashion jewelry uses mixed metals and alloys to achieve beautiful designs at accessible price points. These pieces benefit from the same care as plated jewelry:

Keep dry, store separately, and clean gently.
If a piece develops surface tarnish, a gentle buff with a microfiber cloth can restore shine.

Pieces with Stones or Enamel

Avoid submerging pieces with stones or enamel details in water, as moisture can loosen settings or dull enamel over time.
Wipe around stones carefully rather than directly over them.

✨ Shop Pieces Worth Caring For

These AANI & RU favorites deserve a little extra love:

Eye Catcher — a bold, statement piece that pairs beautifully with everyday looks.
Aneela Butterfly Necklace — a delicate necklace to layer or wear alone.

Questions about a specific piece? Contact us — we're happy to help.