Jewelry Care Guide

Jewelry Care Guide

At 1986 Boutique, we want your jewelry to look its best for as long as possible. Most of our pieces are crafted from stainless steel with 18K gold plating. Understanding what that means — and how to care for it — will help you get the most out of every piece.

Understanding Your Materials

Stainless Steel Base

Stainless steel is the metal foundation beneath your jewelry. It is highly resistant to rust and corrosion, making it one of the most durable base metals used in fashion jewelry. On its own, stainless steel holds up very well to daily wear.

18K Gold Plating

Gold plating is a thin layer of real gold applied over the stainless steel surface. It gives pieces a rich, warm gold finish — but because it is a coating rather than solid gold, it can wear away over time, especially with frequent contact with water, skin oils, chemicals, and friction. How long your gold plating lasts depends largely on how you care for it.

Water Exposure

This is one of the most common questions we get: Is gold-plated jewelry waterproof?

The honest answer: the stainless steel base is water-resistant, but the gold plating is not truly waterproof. Brief, occasional contact with water (like washing your hands) is generally fine, but repeated or prolonged exposure will gradually wear down the gold layer.

Avoid wearing your jewelry during:

  • Showers and baths
  • Swimming (pools, lakes, ocean)
  • Hot tubs or saunas
  • Washing dishes or heavy hand washing

Chlorine, salt water, and hot water are particularly hard on gold plating and will accelerate fading. If your piece does get wet, pat it dry immediately with a soft cloth rather than leaving it damp.

Perfumes, Lotions & Chemicals

Chemicals found in everyday products can dull and strip gold plating faster than almost anything else.

  • Perfume & body spray: Apply before putting on your jewelry, never after. Alcohol in fragrance is especially harsh on plating.
  • Lotion & sunscreen: Let these fully absorb into your skin before wearing your pieces.
  • Cleaning products & hand sanitizer: Remove your jewelry before using these.
  • Hairspray & makeup: Put jewelry on last, after your routine is complete.

A good rule of thumb: jewelry goes on last and comes off first.

Tarnish — What It Is and Why It Happens

Tarnish is a natural process that occurs when the metal surface reacts with moisture, oxygen, skin oils, and chemicals over time. Even high-quality gold plating will tarnish eventually — it is not a defect, it is simply the nature of plated jewelry.

What speeds up tarnishing:

  • Frequent water exposure
  • Sweat and skin oils
  • Contact with perfumes and lotions
  • Humid storage environments
  • Wearing jewelry during exercise or sleep

The good news: with consistent care, you can significantly slow down tarnishing and keep your pieces looking bright much longer.

Cleaning Your Jewelry

Regular, gentle cleaning removes oils and buildup that cause tarnish.

  1. Use a soft, dry microfiber or lint-free cloth to wipe your jewelry after each wear.
  2. For a deeper clean, lightly dampen the cloth with plain water and gently wipe the surface, then dry immediately and thoroughly.
  3. Avoid soaking pieces in water or using harsh jewelry cleaning solutions, ultrasonic cleaners, or abrasive cloths — these can damage or strip the gold plating.
  4. Never scrub with anything abrasive (paper towels, rough fabrics, baking soda pastes).

Storage Tips

How and where you store your jewelry matters just as much as how you wear it.

  • Keep pieces separate: Store each piece individually, or in a jewelry box with dividers, to prevent scratching.
  • Use an airtight bag or pouch: Limiting air exposure slows oxidation. A small zip-lock bag or velvet pouch works well.
  • Avoid humid areas: Don't store jewelry in the bathroom. Choose a cool, dry spot like a dresser drawer or jewelry box.
  • Include an anti-tarnish strip: These small inserts absorb moisture and pollutants and can extend the life of your plating.

Daily Wear Tips

  • Remove jewelry before exercising, sleeping, or doing household chores.
  • Take off pieces before entering water — pools, showers, and ocean included.
  • Wipe pieces with a soft cloth after every wear to remove skin oils and sweat.
  • Rotate your jewelry to give each piece a rest.

Realistic Expectations

We believe in being upfront: all gold-plated jewelry will show some wear over time. This is true of every brand, every price point. The difference is in the quality of the base metal and thickness of the plating — and in how well you care for your pieces.

Our jewelry is made with a stainless steel base specifically because it is more resistant to rust and corrosion than brass or copper alternatives. This means that even as the gold layer wears, the metal underneath holds up well. With good care, your pieces can stay bright and beautiful for a long time.

Shop by Collection

Browse our full range of jewelry — all crafted with care and designed to be worn every day:

Have questions? Contact us — we're happy to help.