Care guide

How to keep it looking new

Our pieces are made to be worn every day, and a little care goes a long way. Here's everything we know about keeping them looking like the day they arrived.

Get to know your piece

Every piece is stainless steel with a gold PVD finish. The steel underneath won't rust and won't turn your skin green. The gold is a finish bonded to that steel, and how long it looks brand new depends mostly on what it comes into contact with. More on the materials on our Our stainless steel page.

Your polishing cloth

Every order comes with a polishing cloth. It's the easiest habit you can build:

After you take a piece off, give it a gentle wipe to lift skin oils, sweat and product before you put it away.
Use it dry, on dry jewellery, and buff lightly. There's no need to press hard or scrub.
Keep it with your jewellery so it stays clean and is always there when you need it.

Last on, first off

Put your jewellery on after lotion, perfume, sunscreen and hair products have dried. Take it off before you wash or treat your hair, or clean with anything strong. Chemicals wear a finish down far faster than water ever will.

Water, sweat and everyday life

Showers, rain and a sweaty gym session are fine. After a swim in the sea or a chlorinated pool, rinse your piece in clean water and pat it dry. Always let it dry completely before you store it, especially chains, where water can sit between the links.

What to keep away from

Perfume and body spray. Spray first, let it dry, then put your jewellery on.
Lotions, body oils, sunscreen and self-tan.
Hair relaxer, hair dye and styling products. Take your pieces off before a wash day or a salon visit.
Bleach, household cleaners and hand sanitiser.

When to take it off

Sleeping: chains can tangle and kink, and clasps take strain while you move.
Heavy lifting and contact sport: knocks and pressure are what bend links and open clasps.
Cleaning and cooking: harsh products and heat are hard on any finish.

How to clean it

Rinse in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap.
Rub gently with your fingers or a soft cloth. For chains, work slowly along the links.
Rinse again and pat completely dry with a soft towel.
Finish with a light buff using your polishing cloth.

Skip toothpaste, baking soda, silver polish, jewellery dips and anything abrasive. They scratch or strip the finish.

Earrings

Earrings sit in your skin, so keep them clean. Before you put a pair in, wipe the posts and backs with an alcohol swab (just the posts and backs, not the gold front). Make sure the backs are pushed on snugly so you don't lose one.

How to store it

Store each piece separately, in a soft bag, a lined jewellery box or its own compartment, so nothing scratches or tangles. Close necklace and bracelet clasps before you put them away, and lay chains flat. Keep them somewhere dry rather than in a steamy bathroom. When you travel, wrap each piece separately so they don't rub against each other.

Why pieces age differently on different people

Two people can wear the exact same piece and get different results. Body oils, sweat, skin pH and the products you use all affect how a finish wears over time. It's not a sign that anything is wrong with the piece or with you. It just means your care routine matters more for some pieces than others.

Tarnish vs colour change: the honest version

Tarnish is when metal reacts and darkens, or turns your skin green. Our steel doesn't do that.

Colour change is different. The gold on our pieces is a finish, so with a lot of wear, friction and contact with lotions or perfume, it can soften very slowly over time. That's true of all plated jewellery, including designer pieces that cost ten times more. How fast it happens depends on how often you wear a piece and how you care for it. The habits above slow it right down.

Sensitive skin or irritation?

Most people wear our pieces all day with no trouble. If you notice redness or itching, take the piece off and clean both it and your skin. Often it's a lotion or product trapped underneath rather than the metal. If the irritation carries on, stop wearing the piece and speak to your doctor, and let us know at support@rameliajewels.co.za.

Still unsure about something? Email support@rameliajewels.co.za and we'll help.