Short answer: care for jewellery according to its material. Keep 925 silver dry and stored separately to slow tarnish. Treat rhodium-plated and 14K gold-plated pieces gently: a soft dry cloth only, never polishing paste, silver dip or toothpaste. Keep freshwater pearls away from water and perfume. Put every piece on last and take it off first.
Jewellery care by material at a glance
| Material | Main risk | Clean with | Never use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 925 sterling silver | Tarnish from air and moisture | Soft dry cloth | Chlorine, damp storage |
| Rhodium-plated 925 silver | Plating wear from friction | Soft dry microfibre cloth | Silver dip, polishing paste |
| 14K gold-plated 925 silver | Thin plating wears fastest | Soft dry microfibre cloth | Toothpaste, abrasive cloths |
| Freshwater pearls | Water, perfume, scratches | Soft dry cloth after wearing | Soaking, chemicals |
| Cubic zirconia | Dull film from cosmetics | Soft dry cloth | Ultrasonic cleaners |
Four habits apply to all of them: put jewellery on after perfume and lotion, take it off before water, sport, cleaning and sleep, store each piece separately, and keep it dry. Our jewellery care guide lists these in full.
How to care for 925 sterling silver
Sterling silver darkens because it reacts with sulphur compounds in the air, and moisture speeds this up.
- Store silver dry, away from the bathroom, each piece in its own pouch or compartment. The Loretana box is made for storage, not just for the gift.
- Take silver off before swimming: chlorine and salt water are the fastest way to dull it.
If a piece has already darkened, our guide on why silver turns black and how to clean it explains what is safe, and how to stop silver tarnishing covers prevention. For the full routine, read our silver jewellery care guide.
How to care for rhodium-plated silver
Most of our silver-tone pieces, such as the Minimalist Hoops (€42.99), are hallmarked 925 sterling silver with a rhodium finish. Rhodium gives a bright white colour and helps the silver resist tarnish while the layer is intact.
Rhodium is a surface finish, and like every finish it wears with use. Pendants and earrings keep their finish much longer than rings and bracelets, which rub against skin and surfaces all day. Thinning shows first at high-friction points, such as the underside of a ring band or the back of a clasp. Clean it with a soft dry microfibre cloth only. Silver dip and polishing paste are made for bare silver and strip plating. More in our article on what rhodium plating does to silver.
How to care for gold-plated silver
Our gold-tone pieces are 14K or 18K gold-plated 925 silver. The gold is a thin surface finish, so it needs the gentlest care of all:
- Perfume, sunscreen and hand cream first, jewellery afterwards, once they have dried.
- Take gold-plated rings off for washing up, cleaning and the gym. A ring such as the gold-plated Essential Stacking Band Ring (€18.99) takes more friction than any earring.
- Wipe with a soft dry cloth. No toothpaste, polish or abrasive cloth.
Underneath the plating is hallmarked 925 sterling silver, so a piece whose gold has worn can be re-plated by a jeweller. Normal plating wear is not covered by our 24-month warranty, which covers manufacturing defects. Our article Gold-plated silver: is it real gold? explains the finish in detail.
How to care for freshwater pearls and cubic zirconia
Pearls, freshwater or shell, are softer than metal or stone. Put them on last, wipe them with a soft dry cloth after wearing, and never soak them. Store pearl pieces such as our Clover Shell Pearl Necklace (€35.99) apart from other jewellery so harder pieces do not scratch them.
AAAAA cubic zirconia is hard and does not lose its sparkle, but lotion and soap leave a film that makes it look dull. A wipe with a soft dry cloth brings the shine back, even on open settings such as our Round Solitaire CZ Studs (€32.99). Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, which can loosen settings and thin plating.
How to care for earrings and interchangeable pieces
Earrings touch skin directly, so wipe the posts and hoop closures after wearing. Our sterling silver earring care guide covers this step by step.
On interchangeable pieces, the screw thread needs the most attention. Change elements with clean, dry hands, turn slowly, and never force a thread that resists. Keep spare elements in the box so grit cannot get into the threads. All our pieces that swap parts are in the interchangeable jewellery collection.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use toothpaste to clean gold?
Not on gold-plated jewellery. Toothpaste is abrasive, and on thin gold plating it rubs the gold away and exposes the silver underneath. Use a soft dry microfibre cloth instead.
Can I shower with silver jewellery?
It is better not to. Water, soap and shampoo dull plating and leave a film on stones. Take jewellery off before showering, bathing or swimming.
How should I store jewellery so it lasts?
Dry, and each piece separately. A lined box or soft pouch in a bedroom drawer is better than a bathroom shelf, where humidity darkens silver.
Does the warranty cover plating wear?
No. Our 24-month warranty covers manufacturing defects. Plating wear is normal and not a defect. If you are unsure which you are seeing, email a photo to info@loretana.com and we will tell you.
Loretana MB is registered with the Lithuanian Assay Office and has a registered responsibility mark. Every piece carries the 925 hallmark and our responsibility mark, and orders ship from Lithuania.
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