Good gold plated jewellery is made to be worn – not saved for special occasions. A few small habits make a big difference to how long that golden shine lasts. Here are our ten rules.

1. Last on, first off

Put jewellery on after perfume, lotion, sunscreen and hairspray. Take it off before you remove make-up at night.

2. Rinse after salt and chlorine

Our waterproof pieces are fine in water, but sea water and pool chlorine leave residue. A quick rinse in fresh water fixes that.

3. Dry before you store

Pat pieces dry with a soft cloth. Moisture trapped in a box is the enemy of any jewellery.

4. Clean gently

Warm water, a drop of mild soap, a soft cloth. Rinse and dry. That is all you ever need.

5. Never use abrasives

No toothpaste, baking soda, silver dip or polishing powder. They are designed to remove a layer – and on plated jewellery, that layer is the gold.

6. Store pieces separately

Keep each piece in its own pouch or compartment so chains do not tangle and stones do not scratch plating.

7. Take rings off for heavy work

Lifting weights, gardening and scrubbing create friction, which wears plating fastest on rings.

8. Rotate your favourites

If you wear the same ring every day, its plating will wear faster than pieces you rotate. Building a small stack of rings spreads the wear.

9. Keep silver and gold apart

925 sterling silver naturally darkens with air; store it in an airtight pouch. A silver polishing cloth is fine for pure silver pieces, but not for gold plated ones.

10. Choose the right base metal from the start

The biggest factor in how long plating lasts is what is underneath. Gold plating on stainless steel resists tarnish far better than plating on brass or alloy – which is why most Sorele gold-tone pieces are 18K gold plated on stainless steel. Read more in our guide to waterproof jewellery.

What to do if a piece looks dull

Most dullness is just a film from skin oils and products. Wash with mild soap and warm water, dry thoroughly, and buff gently with a soft cloth. If it still looks dull after that, write to us – we are happy to help.

Frequently asked questions

Can I wear gold plated jewellery every day?

Yes – good-quality, waterproof gold plated jewellery is designed for daily wear. Follow the habits above and it will last a long time.

Why did my old jewellery turn green?

Green marks come from copper-based alloys reacting with sweat. Stainless steel bases do not react this way.

How should I store jewellery while travelling?

Use a small zip pouch or travel case with separate compartments, and keep it out of humid bathrooms.