How to care for gold-plated stainless steel jewellery (so it looks new for years)

One of the best things about 316L stainless steel jewellery with an 18K PVD finish is how little it asks of you. You can shower, swim and sweat in it. But a few small habits make the difference between "still looks great" and "looks brand new" a year from now.

1. Clean it the easy way

Once a week or so, rinse your pieces in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap, then pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. That's it. Skip jewellery dips and silver polish, which are made for other metals.

2. Rinse after the pool

Sea water and sweat are fine. Chlorine is the one thing that's hard on any gold finish over time, so give your pieces a quick fresh-water rinse after a swim in a pool.

3. Put it on last

Perfume, hairspray, sunscreen and body lotion can leave a film on the surface. Let them dry before you put your jewellery on, and your pieces will stay brighter.

4. Store pieces separately

PVD is tough, but steel is too. Pieces rubbing against each other in a drawer can scratch. Keep them in the pouch they came in, or in a lined box with separate compartments, especially chains, which can tangle.

5. Avoid abrasives and harsh chemicals

• No toothpaste, baking soda or scrubbing pads
• No bleach or strong household cleaners
• Take pieces off for long soaks in hot tubs

Restoring shine

If a piece looks dull, it's almost always a film from skin products, not tarnish. Wash with mild soap and warm water, dry thoroughly and buff gently with a soft cloth.

Covered if something goes wrong

If your finish fades with normal wear, our colour warranty has you covered. For anything else, WhatsApp us and we'll help. Read more in our care guide.