How to Care for Your Jewellery

Jewellery is made to be worn and loved, but a little care can make a big difference to how your favourite pieces look over time.

At Willow Collective, our collections include a mix of sterling silver, gold-plated finishes, stainless steel, freshwater pearls and moissanite. Each material has slightly different needs, so we’ve put together a simple guide to caring for the pieces you reach for again and again.

Everyday care

A good rule for almost all jewellery is last on, first off.

Put your jewellery on after applying perfume, moisturiser, hairspray and other beauty products, and remove it before showering, swimming, exercising or sleeping where possible.

Water, perspiration, cosmetics and household chemicals can all affect jewellery over time, particularly plated finishes and delicate natural materials such as pearls. GIA specifically recommends keeping pearls away from perfume, hairspray and cosmetics because these can damage their surface.

Caring for gold-plated jewellery

Gold plating gives you the beautiful warmth of gold while keeping jewellery accessible for everyday wear.

Because plating is a surface finish, it can gradually wear with time. How quickly this happens depends on how often a piece is worn and what it comes into contact with.

To help your gold-plated Willow pieces stay looking their best:

• Remove them before swimming and showering.
• Avoid spraying perfume directly onto your jewellery.
• Allow moisturiser and beauty products to dry before putting jewellery on.
• Gently wipe pieces after wearing.
• Store jewellery separately so pieces aren't rubbing against each other.

A soft jewellery polishing cloth is generally all you need for regular cleaning. Avoid aggressive polishing or abrasive cleaners on plated jewellery, as these can wear away the finish more quickly.

Caring for sterling silver

Sterling silver can naturally tarnish when it reacts with substances in the air and environment. This is normal and doesn't mean there is anything wrong with your jewellery.

Keeping sterling silver dry and storing it properly when you're not wearing it can help reduce tarnishing.

For unplated sterling silver, a suitable silver polishing cloth can help restore its shine.

If a sterling silver piece has a gold or rhodium-plated finish, be gentler with polishing so you don't wear down the plating.

Caring for your pearls

We love using freshwater pearls throughout Willow because no two are exactly alike.

That natural beauty also means pearls require a little extra care. Pearls are relatively soft — around 2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale — so they can scratch more easily than harder gemstones.

For your Willow pearl pieces:

• Put pearls on after perfume and cosmetics.
• Keep them away from harsh cleaners and chemicals.
• Wipe them gently with a soft, clean cloth after wear.
• Store them separately from harder jewellery that could scratch them.
• If they need a deeper clean, use warm water and a very mild soap rather than harsh jewellery cleaners.

GIA advises against ultrasonic and steam cleaning for pearls.

And remember: because freshwater pearls are natural, small variations in shape and size are part of what makes each one unique. Willow pieces such as our Florence and Everly necklaces feature freshwater pearls, with the natural variations acknowledged in the product specifications.

Caring for moissanite

Moissanite is much harder than pearl and is extremely resistant to scratching, making it well suited to jewellery you wear regularly. It measures around 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale.

Like any sparkling stone, though, oils from your skin, moisturiser and everyday dirt can build up on the surface and reduce its sparkle.

For a gentle at-home clean:

1. Mix warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap.
2. Allow the piece to soak briefly.
3. Very gently clean around the stone with a soft brush.
4. Rinse carefully.
5. Pat dry with a soft lint-free cloth.

Mild soap and warm water are widely recommended for at-home moissanite cleaning.

How should I store my jewellery?

Keep pieces separated wherever possible.

A jewellery box, individual pouch or divided storage case helps stop chains tangling and prevents harder pieces from rubbing against more delicate surfaces.

Pearls in particular should be kept away from harder jewellery that may scratch them.

Jewellery is made to be worn

We don't believe your favourite jewellery should spend its life sitting in a box.

Wear it. Enjoy it. Make memories in it.

Just give it a little care along the way, and your Willow favourites can stay part of your collection for years to come.

Designed to be treasured.