Watch & Jewellery Care Guide
OD's Jewellers Complete Jewellery Care Hub
Universal Care Principles for Precious Metals, Gemstones & Pearls
Why This Hub Exists
At OD's Jewellers, we believe beautiful jewellery deserves beautiful care. This hub compiles universal care principles that apply across all our brands—from Vivienne Westwood fashion pieces to Citizen watches, from Thomas Sabo silver to Clogau gold.
While each brand has specific recommendations (linked throughout), the principles here form the foundation of proper jewellery maintenance. Follow these guidelines to preserve brilliance, prevent damage, and extend the life of your treasured pieces.
Universal Care Principles
The Golden Rules (Every Brand, Every Day)
- Apply perfume, lotion, hairspray, and makeup before putting on jewellery
- Remove jewellery before bathing, swimming, cleaning, exercising, or sleeping
- This single habit prevents 80% of avoidable jewellery damage
- Keep pieces separate in soft pouches or lined boxes to prevent scratching
- Store away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity
- Fasten chains and necklaces to prevent tangling
- Use anti-tarnish strips for silver jewellery
- Use a soft, dry cloth for regular polishing (microfiber or jeweller's cloth)
- Avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive materials, and ultrasonic cleaners unless brand-approved
- Never immerse pearls, leather, or porous gemstones in water
- Annual inspection for loose stones, worn prongs, and clasp integrity
- Professional cleaning every 1-2 years
- Service interval checks for watches (typically every 3-5 years)
Common Care Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Material-Specific Care
Precious Metals
Sterling Silver (925)
Why it tarnishes: Natural oxidation when exposed to air, moisture, and sulphur compounds.
Prevention:
- Store in airtight containers with anti-tarnish strips
- Wear regularly (skin oils slow tarnishing)
- Remove before swimming (chlorine accelerates tarnishing)
Cleaning:
- Soft polishing cloth for light tarnish
- Mild soap + lukewarm water for deeper cleaning
- Rinse thoroughly and dry completely
- Professional silver dips only if brand-approved
- Rhodium-plated silver (Kit Heath, Diamonfire): Tarnish-resistant but still requires gentle care
- Blackened silver (Thomas Sabo Rebel at Heart): NEVER use silver dips—removes intentional darkening
Gold (9ct, 18ct, 24ct)
Why it dulls: Daily wear, cosmetic residue, and oils create buildup on the surface.
Prevention:
- Remove before applying lotions and cosmetics
- Avoid harsh chemicals (bleach, chlorine)
- Store separately from harder metals that can scratch
Cleaning:
- Warm water + mild dish soap
- Soft brush for intricate details
- Rinse thoroughly and dry with soft cloth
- Professional polishing for deep scratches
- Rose gold (Clogau, Thomas Sabo): Naturally darkens over time—this is normal patina, not damage
- Welsh gold (Clogau): Contains rare Welsh gold traces—handle with extra care
Gold/Rhodium Plating
Typical lifespan: 1-3 years with daily wear, depending on friction and exposure, before re-plating needed.
What wears plating faster:
- Water exposure
- Friction (rings, bracelets)
- Cosmetics and perfumes
- Body chemistry (some skin types wear plating faster)
Preservation:
- Minimize water contact
- Rotate between pieces
- Store in original pouches
- Clean only with soft, dry cloth
Re-plating:
- All re-plating work is completed by accredited UK workshops in compliance with hallmarking standards
- Cost-effective way to restore original brilliance
- Triple plating (UNOde50): 15-20 micron thickness lasts longer than standard plating
- Fashion watches (Tommy Hilfiger, BOSS, Olivia Burton): Expect faster plating wear than fine jewellery
- Diamonfire triple plating: Premium durability with proper care
Stainless Steel
Durability: Highly corrosion-resistant, hypoallergenic, and low-maintenance.
Cleaning:
- Mild soap + lukewarm water
- Soft brush for textured surfaces
- Rinse thoroughly and dry completely
- Buff with soft cloth for shine
What to avoid:
- Abrasive cleaners or scouring pads
- Prolonged exposure to chlorine or saltwater
- 316L surgical steel (Coeur de Lion, Nomination): Premium grade for sensitive skin
- Super Titanium™ (Citizen): Approx. 5× harder and 40% lighter than conventional stainless steel—requires no special care
Gemstones
Diamonds & Cubic Zirconia
Hardness: 10/10 (diamond), 8-8.5/10 (CZ)
Cleaning:
- Warm soapy water + soft brush
- Rinse thoroughly and dry
- Professional ultrasonic cleaning safe for most settings
What dulls brilliance:
- Lotion, cosmetic, and oil buildup (creates film on stone surface)
- Diamonfire 57-facet Ideal Cut CZ: Hand-polished to diamond standards—clean regularly for maximum brilliance
- Clogau diamonds: Conflict-free, ethically sourced—professional cleaning recommended annually
Pearls (Freshwater, Cultured, Baroque)
Fragility: 2.5-4.5/10 hardness (soft and porous)
- Wipe after each wear with soft, dry cloth (removes acidic body oils)
- NEVER immerse in water—pearls absorb moisture and can crack
- Apply perfume/cosmetics before putting on pearls
- Store separately in soft cloth (pearls scratch easily)
Cleaning:
- Dry, soft cloth only
- Slightly damp cloth for stubborn marks (dry immediately)
- Professional restringing every 1-2 years for necklaces
What destroys pearls:
- Water, perfume, hairspray, cosmetics
- Ultrasonic cleaners
- Harsh chemicals
- Dry heat or direct sunlight
- Kit Heath baroque pearls: "Perfectly imperfect" natural irregularity—embrace unique character
- Coeur de Lion cultured pearls: Individually matched—handle with extra care
Semi-Precious Stones
Different stones have different care needs based on hardness and porosity:
Hard stones (7-9/10): Amethyst, citrine, topaz, quartz
- Warm soapy water safe
- Can withstand gentle brushing
- Dry thoroughly after cleaning
Softer/porous stones (5-6/10): Turquoise, opal, lapis lazuli, malachite
- Wipe with barely damp cloth only
- Never immerse in water (absorbs moisture and can crack)
- Store away from heat and sunlight
Organic stones: Amber, coral, jet
- Extreme fragility—handle like pearls
- Dry cloth only
- Avoid all chemicals and water
- ChloBo semi-precious stones: Symbolic meaning attached—see brand guide for specific stone properties
- Coeur de Lion gemstones: UV-stable anodised surfaces—colors won't fade in sunlight
Other Materials
Leather Components
Expected lifespan: 6-12 months with daily wear (natural material ages faster than metal).
Preservation:
- Apply leather protector before first wear
- Keep away from water, heat, and direct sunlight
- Condition with unscented moisturizing cream or saddle soap (sparingly)
- Wipe gently with barely damp cloth for stains
Natural aging:
- Darkening, fading, or color change is normal—not a defect
- Leather develops patina with wear
- UNOde50 leather + metal fusion: Never submerge—wipe leather separately from metal components
- Olivia Burton leather straps: Rotate between straps to extend lifespan
Enamel
Fragility: Hard but brittle—can chip or crack from impact.
Cleaning:
- Soft, dry cloth only
- Slightly damp cloth for stubborn dirt (dry immediately)
- NEVER use ultrasonic cleaners or harsh chemicals
What damages enamel:
- Impact (dropping, knocking)
- Temperature extremes (hot water, direct sunlight)
- Abrasive cleaners
- Thomas Sabo hand-enamelling: Adds depth and color—handle gently to preserve detail
- Nomination enamel links: Vibrant hand-painted designs—avoid water exposure
Water Resistance Guide
Jewellery Water Resistance
Most jewellery is splash-resistant only—not designed for swimming or showering.
Safe:
- Handwashing
- Light rain
- Brief accidental splashes
Remove before:
- Showering or bathing
- Swimming (chlorine/saltwater damages metals and gemstones)
- Exercise (sweat accelerates tarnishing)
- Cleaning with household chemicals
Why water damages jewellery:
- Dulls metal finishes
- Affects enamel colors
- Loosens gem settings
- Accelerates plating wear
- Destroys pearls and porous stones
Watch Water Resistance
| Rating | Safe For | NOT Safe For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ATM (10m) | Splashes, rain | Showering, swimming |
| 3 ATM (30m) | Handwashing, light rain | Swimming, showering |
| 5 ATM (50m) | Showering (briefly) | Swimming laps, diving |
| 10 ATM (100m) | Swimming (surface) | Diving, water sports |
| 20+ ATM (200m+) | Recreational diving | Professional diving (unless ISO 6425 certified) |
Important:
- Water resistance decreases over time (seals degrade)
- Test annually if you swim/dive regularly
- Replace gaskets during battery changes
- Olivia Burton: 1 ATM splash only—remove before showering
- Citizen Promaster: ISO 6425 certified dive watches—professional standards
- Tissot: 3-10 ATM typical—check specific model rating
For comprehensive watch care guidance, visit the Citizen Official Care Page.
OD's Jewellers Care Services
Complimentary Services (For OD's Customers)
✅ Annual Cleaning & Inspection
- Stone security check
- Clasp and chain integrity inspection
✅ Care Guidance
- Expert advice on brand-specific care requirements
- Demonstrations of proper cleaning techniques
- Storage recommendations
Professional Services (Fees Apply)
💎 Rhodium/Gold Re-Plating
- Restores original brilliance to worn plating
- 4-6 weeks turnaround
- Prices vary by piece size
💎 Pearl Restringing
- Recommended every 1-2 years for necklaces
- Prevents strand breakage
- Professional knotting between pearls
💎 Watch Battery Replacement
- While-you-wait service for most quartz watches
💎 Stone Tightening & Prong Repair
- Prevents stone loss
- Professional jeweller assessment
- Quick turnaround for simple repairs
FAQs
How often should I clean my jewellery?
Daily wearers: Wipe with soft cloth after each wear.
Deep cleaning: Every 2-4 weeks for frequently worn pieces.
Professional cleaning: Annually
Can I use toothpaste to clean silver?
No—toothpaste is abrasive and can scratch metals and damage gemstones. Use a proper polishing cloth or mild soap instead.
Why does my jewellery turn my skin green?
Natural reaction between metal (often copper in alloys) and skin chemistry/sweat. Not harmful, but indicates:
- Sterling silver (925) contains 7.5% copper
- Body chemistry varies (some people never experience this)
- Sweating accelerates reaction
Solution: Clean skin and jewellery regularly, apply clear nail polish to back of pieces, or choose higher gold content.
How do I know if a stone is loose?
- Gently tap the piece—listen for rattling
- Visually inspect prongs for gaps
- Professional check recommended if uncertain
- Don't wear pieces with loose stones—risk losing gemstone
Can I shower with my watch?
Check your specific model's water resistance rating.
- 1-5 ATM: Remove before showering
- 10+ ATM: Brief showers OK, but avoid soap (degrades seals)
- Best practice: Remove all watches before showering regardless of rating
How do I store jewellery when traveling?
- Use a travel jewellery roll or case with individual compartments
- Fasten chains to prevent tangling
- Pack in carry-on (never checked luggage)
- Photograph pieces before travel for insurance purposes
What's the white film on my diamonds?
Lotion, cosmetic, and oil buildup—not damage.
Solution: Warm soapy water + soft brush, rinse thoroughly. Regular cleaning prevents buildup.
Can I wear my jewellery to the gym?
No—sweat accelerates tarnishing and plating wear. Impact risk damages delicate pieces. Store safely in locker or leave at home.
For authoritative jewellery care standards and industry guidance, visit the National Association of Jewellers.
Brand-Specific Care Guides
For detailed care instructions specific to your brand, see: