A few simple habits go a long way:

• Put your jewellery on last, after perfume, moisturiser, and hairspray have settled. Chemicals in beauty products are one of the fastest ways to dull a finish or wear down plating.
• Remove your jewellery before swimming, showering, exercising, or doing dishes. Prolonged water exposure, especially chlorinated or saltwater will accelerate tarnishing and weaken plating over time.
• Keep pieces away from direct sunlight and heat for extended periods, as both can affect colour and finish.
• Store each piece separately to avoid scratching. Small pouches, compartmentalised jewellery boxes, or soft-lined trays all work well.
• When in doubt, take it off. The less your jewellery is exposed to friction, moisture, and chemicals, the longer it holds its finish.
  

All Ruasmi pieces, whether crafted on a brass or 925 sterling silver base are finished with gold plating ranging from 16kt to 20kt, with sterling silver pieces receiving 1 micron gold plating for enhanced durability and a richer finish.
The gold-plated surface is what you see, feel, and interact with every day, so caring for the plating is the priority regardless of the base metal underneath.

• Keep plated pieces away from water, sweat, and chemicals wherever possible, these are the primary causes of plating wear.
• Always put your jewellery on last, after beauty products have fully settled on the skin.
• Clean with the included cleaning cloth after wearing to remove oils and moisture. This single habit extends the life of your plating significantly.
• Avoid polishing cloths designed for solid gold or silver, these can be too abrasive for plated surfaces and will wear down the coating over time.
• Never use ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, or chemical dips on plated jewellery.
• Avoid rubbing plated pieces against hard surfaces or other jewellery during storage.
• Some softening of the finish over time is natural with any plated piece.

Different stones have different needs, so it is worth knowing what you are working with. As a general rule, treat gemstones gently and avoid anything harsh.

Soft or porous stones — including pearls, opals, turquoise, and coral are the most sensitive. Keep them away from water, acids, perfume, and ultrasonic cleaners. Wipe clean with a dry or barely damp soft cloth only. These stones can absorb chemicals and moisture, which causes permanent damage.

Hard stones — including diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and moissanite are more resilient, but still benefit from gentle care. Clean with warm water, a drop of mild soap, and a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely before storing. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning if the stone is set in a plated piece, the vibration can affect the plating around the setting.

Semi-precious stones — such as amethyst, citrine, garnet, and topaz sit in the middle. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, which can fade colour over time. Clean gently with mild soap and water, and store away from harder stones that could scratch the surface.
For all gemstone pieces, when uncertain, a soft dry cloth and careful storage is always the safest choice.

How you store your pieces matters as much as how you clean them.

• Store pieces individually to prevent scratching and tangling.
• Keep jewellery in a cool, dry place away from humidity — bathrooms are one of the worst places to store jewellery long-term.
• Use the pouch or box your Ruasmi piece arrived in — it is designed with storage in mind.
• For delicate chains, fasten the clasp before storing to prevent knotting.

Every piece of jewellery changes slightly with wear, and that is not a bad thing. Patinas develop, plating softens, stones pick up small scratches. These are signs of a life lived, not a failure of quality. With proper care, your jewellery will age gracefully and remain beautiful for years.
If you ever have a question about caring for a specific piece, our team is always happy to help.