How to Care for Your Gold Jewellery — Tips from Kanakaa's Expert Team

Gold jewellery being carefully cleaned and cared for

Aapka zewar aapki pehchaan hai — aur ussi ki tarah, thodi si care se woh saalon tak chamakta rahega.

At Kanakaa by Chandukaka Jewels, we've been crafting and selling jewellery since 2014, and the one question we hear most often from our 10,000+ happy customers is: "How do I keep my jewellery looking as beautiful as the day I bought it?"

The good news? It's simpler than you think. Here's everything you need to know.

1. Store it right — always

The biggest reason jewellery loses its shine is not how it's worn, but how it's stored. Always keep your pieces in the pouch or box provided. Avoid tossing jewellery into a drawer where pieces knock against each other — that's how stones get loose and coatings get scratched.

For sets, keep the necklace and earrings together so you never lose a piece. If you have a lot of jewellery, a small soft-cloth jewellery organiser works beautifully.

2. Keep it away from water and chemicals

This is the golden rule (pun intended). Always remove your jewellery before:

  • Bathing or swimming
  • Doing household chores
  • Applying perfume, lotion, or hairspray
  • Cooking (especially with oils and steam)

Water and chemicals are the #1 enemy of 1-gram gold plating. Even sweat can affect the shine over time, so after wearing, give your piece a gentle wipe before storing.

3. Cleaning — gentle is the way

If your jewellery looks a little dull, don't panic. A soft, dry cloth — like a cotton dupatta or microfibre cloth — is usually all you need. Gently buff the surface in small circular motions and you'll see the shine return.

For stubborn grime, dip a soft toothbrush in plain water (no soap, no chemicals), lightly scrub, and dry immediately and thoroughly. Never soak gold-plated jewellery — not even for a few minutes.

Avoid: ultrasonic cleaners, commercial jewellery cleaners, toothpaste, baking soda, or lemon juice. These may work on solid gold but will damage plated pieces.

4. Last on, first off

A simple habit that makes a huge difference: put your jewellery on last when getting dressed (after makeup, perfume, and clothes) and take it off first when getting undressed. This minimises exposure to chemicals and reduces the risk of catching pieces on fabric.

5. When to get it re-plated

All 1-gram gold jewellery will eventually need re-plating — it's the nature of the craft. How quickly this happens depends on how often it's worn and how well it's cared for. With proper care, good quality pieces can look beautiful for 2-3 years or more of regular wear.

When you notice fading or discolouration, don't throw the piece away — a local jeweller can re-plate it at a modest cost, giving it a whole new life.

6. Special care for stone-set pieces

If your jewellery has stones — kundan, meenakari, glass, or coloured stones — be extra gentle. Avoid any liquid near the stones as they can loosen the settings. Store these pieces flat rather than hanging, and never press hard on the stones while cleaning.

💛 Remember: Jewellery that's cared for tells a story. Woh piece jo aapki naani ki shaadi mein tha, aur aaj bhi chamakta hai — woh sirf quality nahi, care bhi hai. Trusted since 2014, we at Kanakaa are always here to help. WhatsApp us anytime for care advice or product questions.

Browse our full collection at Kanakaa Jewellery — all pieces come with care instructions and the Kanakaa quality promise.