How to Care for Fashion & Imitation Jewellery: Cleaning, Storage and Everyday Tips

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:28:40 +0530

Fashion jewellery can stay beautiful much longer when a few small habits become part of the way you wear, clean and store it.

Quick Answer

To care for fashion or imitation jewellery, keep it dry, avoid direct contact with perfume, sweat and chemicals, wipe it gently with a clean soft cloth after wearing, and store each piece separately. Avoid aggressive cleaning methods unless the product specifically says they are safe.

Fashion jewellery can include plated metals, jewellery alloys, synthetic stones, crystals, enamel, beads, faux pearls and decorative finishes. These materials do not all react to moisture, chemicals and friction in exactly the same way.

That is why good jewellery care is less about occasional deep cleaning and more about protecting the piece every time you wear it. If you are deciding when fashion jewellery makes sense versus precious pieces, read our fashion jewellery vs fine jewellery guide.

Jewellery Care

Three habits make the biggest difference

01Keep It Dry

Remove fashion jewellery before bathing, swimming or any activity where it may remain wet.

02Jewellery Goes On Last

Apply perfume, lotions, makeup and hair products before putting your jewellery on.

03Store Separately

Individual pouches or compartments reduce scratches, tangling and unnecessary friction between pieces.

How Do You Clean Fashion Jewellery Safely?

For routine care, fashion jewellery usually does not need aggressive cleaning.

A simple dry wipe after wearing is often the safest starting point, particularly for jewellery with plating, enamel, glued decorative elements, faux pearls or multiple materials.

Wash and Dry Your Hands

Clean hands help prevent transferring unnecessary oils, lotions or moisture back onto the jewellery while you handle it.

Use a Clean, Soft Cloth

Gently wipe the surface instead of scrubbing it. Pay attention to areas that have been in direct contact with the skin.

Clean Around Details Carefully

For textured pieces, stones and intricate metalwork, use gentle movements. Do not pull beadwork, chains or decorative components.

Make Sure the Piece Is Dry

Never put damp jewellery directly into an enclosed jewellery box or pouch.

Return It to Separate Storage

Once clean and completely dry, store the piece away from other jewellery to limit rubbing, scratching and tangling.

Can You Clean Imitation Jewellery With Toothpaste, Baking Soda or Vinegar?

Avoid treating household cleaning tricks as universally safe.

Fashion jewellery may contain plating, adhesives, synthetic stones, enamel, beads or faux pearls. A method that appears harmless on one material may damage the surface or decorative elements of another.

Unless the jewellery manufacturer specifically recommends a cleaning solution, the safer routine is usually gentle dry cleaning with a soft cloth.

Safer Routine

Use a clean, soft and dry cloth.
Use light pressure rather than vigorous rubbing.
Handle stone settings and beadwork carefully.
Follow product-specific care instructions.
Store only after the piece is completely dry.

Avoid Automatically Using

Toothpaste or abrasive powders.
Strong chemical cleaners.
Bleach or household cleaning liquids.
Long soaking in water.
Aggressive scrubbing or polishing.

Does Perfume Damage Fashion Jewellery?

Direct and repeated contact with perfume can shorten the life of plated and decorative jewellery finishes.

The easiest habit is to remember this order:

Skincare → makeup → perfume → hair products → jewellery.

Let sprayed products settle before putting on your earrings, necklace or bracelet.

That small change reduces unnecessary contact between jewellery and alcohol, oils, fragrance ingredients and cosmetic products.

Can Fashion Jewellery Get Wet?

It is better to keep fashion jewellery as dry as practical.

Remove it before bathing, swimming or prolonged exposure to water. If a piece becomes wet accidentally, gently dry it rather than returning it immediately to storage.

Moisture is especially undesirable when a piece contains multiple materials, beadwork, decorative stones or plated surfaces.

Does Sweat Affect Artificial Jewellery?

Repeated sweat and skin contact can leave moisture, salts and oils on jewellery.

This does not mean you cannot wear fashion jewellery for long events. It simply makes the after-wear routine more important.

After a wedding, party, long day or warm-weather outing, gently wipe the jewellery before storing it. For pieces you wear often, our everyday jewellery guide can help you choose styles that fit regular use and simpler care routines.

How Should You Store Artificial and Fashion Jewellery?

Good storage protects jewellery from scratching, tangling, moisture and unnecessary rubbing.

Separate Pieces

Give each important piece its own soft pouch or jewellery-box compartment.

Prevent Tangling

Fasten necklaces before storage and avoid placing chains in a loose pile.

Protect Details

Do not place heavy jewellery directly on top of delicate stones, beads or earrings.

For larger necklace sets, keeping the necklace and earrings positioned neatly rather than compressed together can also help protect decorative elements.

SVETARA The best jewellery-care routine is simple: wear thoughtfully, wipe gently, keep dry and store separately.

How Should You Care for Different Types of SVETARA Jewellery?

The same basic care principles apply across fashion jewellery, but the shape and construction of a piece can change what you should pay most attention to.

Stud Earrings • Everyday

Elara Black Dual Circle Gold-Tone Stud Earrings

Compact earrings are easy to store, but the front surface and posts still benefit from a gentle wipe after wear. Keep the pair together in its own compartment.

View Elara

Necklace • Delicate

Solara Radiant Heart Sunburst Pendant Necklace

Fasten delicate necklaces before storage and keep the chain separated from other jewellery to reduce tangling. Avoid spraying perfume directly onto the necklace.

View Solara

Bracelet • Polished Finish

Valora Asymmetric Overlap Gold-Tone Cuff Bracelet

Polished surfaces show fingerprints and contact marks easily. A gentle wipe after wear helps keep the finish looking cleaner without aggressive polishing.

View Valora

Festive Set • Detailed

Mehrika Multicolour Enamel Choker Jewellery Set

Detailed sets deserve more careful storage. Keep the necklace, matching earrings and maang tikka positioned so beadwork, stones and decorative surfaces do not constantly rub against one another.

View Mehrika

How Can You Help Prevent Fashion Jewellery From Tarnishing?

No care routine can guarantee that every plated fashion jewellery piece will remain unchanged forever.

However, you can reduce unnecessary exposure that may accelerate changes in the finish.

Tarnish-Prevention Habits

Reduce unnecessary exposure

Keep jewellery away from prolonged moisture.

Avoid spraying perfume directly onto jewellery.

Wipe sweat and skin oils away after wearing.

Store jewellery separately instead of in a tangled pile.

Avoid aggressive home-cleaning methods.

Handle plated and decorative surfaces gently.

Do Gold-Tone, Oxidised, Enamel and Pearl Jewellery Need Different Care?

Jewellery Type	Pay Extra Attention To	Good Habit
Gold-Tone Jewellery	Plated surface and contact with chemicals	Keep dry and avoid spraying perfume directly onto it.
Oxidised Jewellery	Textured and intentionally darkened finish	Avoid harsh polishing that may alter the intended appearance.
Enamel Jewellery	Decorative coloured surfaces	Protect from scratches and aggressive rubbing.
Faux Pearl Jewellery	Pearl-like surface finish	Handle gently and avoid unnecessary chemical contact.
Stone Jewellery	Settings, adhesives and decorative stones	Avoid soaking and clean carefully around detailed areas.
Beaded Jewellery	Threads, wires and hanging elements	Store without pulling or compressing beadwork.

How Should You Pack Fashion Jewellery for Travel?

Travel is one of the easiest times for jewellery to become tangled or scratched.

Use separate soft pouches or compartments rather than putting all pieces into one bag. Fasten necklaces before packing them, keep pairs of earrings together and avoid placing heavy jewellery over delicate pieces.

For larger wedding jewellery sets, organise the components in the same arrangement you would use at home.

How Often Should You Clean Fashion Jewellery?

A quick wipe after wearing is more useful than waiting for jewellery to become visibly dirty.

Pieces that touch the skin frequently — such as earrings, necklaces and bracelets — can benefit from this simple routine after each significant wear.

Jewellery worn briefly and kept clean may require very little additional attention before returning to storage.

Should Jewellery Go On Before or After Perfume and Makeup?

Put jewellery on last.

Complete skincare, makeup, perfume and hair products first. Once everything has settled, add your jewellery as the final styling step.

When getting ready to change clothes or shower, reversing the process also helps: take jewellery off first.

Where Can You Explore More SVETARA Jewellery?

Explore SVETARA Earrings for everyday studs, statement earrings, jhumkas and chandbalis.

Browse SVETARA Necklaces and SVETARA Chokers for neckline styling.

For wrist jewellery, explore SVETARA Bracelets .

See recently added styles through New Arrivals .

If you are shopping specifically for fashion pieces, use our guide to buying artificial jewellery online in India as a practical starting point.

For more styling and jewellery information, continue through the SVETARA Journal .

Frequently Asked Questions About Fashion Jewellery Care

How do you clean fashion jewellery at home?

For routine cleaning, gently wipe fashion jewellery with a clean, soft and dry cloth after wearing it. Avoid aggressive cleaners or soaking unless the manufacturer specifically recommends that method for the piece.

How do you store artificial jewellery?

Store individual pieces in separate soft pouches or compartments. Fasten necklaces before storage and avoid placing heavy jewellery directly over delicate earrings, stones or beadwork.

How can you prevent fashion jewellery from tarnishing?

Reduce unnecessary exposure to water, perfume, sweat and chemicals, wipe jewellery after wearing it, and store each piece separately in a dry place.

Can you wear imitation jewellery in the shower?

It is better to remove fashion and imitation jewellery before showering or swimming because prolonged water exposure can affect plated and decorative materials.

Should you spray perfume before or after putting on jewellery?

Apply perfume before jewellery. Allow fragrance and other cosmetic products to settle, then put jewellery on as the final part of getting dressed.

Can toothpaste clean artificial jewellery?

Toothpaste is abrasive and should not be treated as a universally safe cleaner for fashion jewellery. Different finishes, stones, enamel and plating can react differently, so follow product-specific care instructions.

Can fashion jewellery be stored together?

Separate storage is preferable because it reduces tangling, scratches and repeated friction between different jewellery surfaces.

How often should fashion jewellery be cleaned?

A gentle wipe after significant wear is a useful routine, especially after long events, hot weather or any occasion where the jewellery has been exposed to sweat or cosmetic products.

Wear It. Love It. Care for It.

Discover fashion jewellery for everyday looks, celebrations and every version of your personal style.

Explore New Arrivals • Shop Earrings

SVETARA — Wear Your Story.

S V E T A R A - SVETARA Blog | Fashion Jewellery & Women's Accessories #Jewellery Care