Stainless steel jewellery is built to last — but a little care goes a long way. Here's how to keep your 18k gold PVD pieces looking exactly as they did on day one.
What You Need
Nothing complicated. For routine cleaning you only need:
- Warm (not hot) water
- A small amount of mild soap — washing-up liquid works fine
- A soft cloth or microfibre towel
- Optionally: a very soft toothbrush for getting into detailed areas
The Right Way to Clean It
Mix a small amount of mild soap with warm water. Submerge or dampen your jewellery and gently work the solution over the surface with your fingers or a soft cloth. If there are any detailed areas — a textured band, a stone setting — use a soft toothbrush to work the soap in gently. Rinse thoroughly under clean water and dry with a soft cloth immediately. Don't leave it to air dry, as water spots can form on any polished surface.
What to Avoid
A few things that can dull or damage a PVD-coated surface:
- Abrasive cloths or polishing pads — these scratch the surface and dull the finish over time
- Commercial jewellery cleaning solutions — many contain chemicals designed for gold or silver that aren't appropriate for PVD coatings
- Ultrasonic cleaners — the vibration can stress stone settings and affect the coating
- Bleach, chlorine or strong household chemicals — prolonged exposure to these can affect any metal surface
Day-to-Day Care
Because PVD-coated stainless steel is waterproof, you don't need to take your pieces off for the shower, gym or sea. But a few habits extend the life of any piece of jewellery:
- Put your jewellery on after applying perfume, lotion or sunscreen — not before
- Wipe pieces dry after prolonged exposure to saltwater or chlorinated water
- Store pieces in a soft pouch when not wearing them — this prevents surface scratches from contact with other jewellery
How Often Should You Clean It?
For pieces worn daily, a gentle clean once or twice a month is enough to keep them looking their best. More frequently if you wear them to the gym or in the sea. The cleaning itself takes less than two minutes — it's genuinely low-maintenance jewellery.