JEWELRY CARE GUIDE
Keep Your Jewelry Beautiful for Years to Come
Jewelry becomes more meaningful the longer you keep it.
With a little everyday care, your KeepSake Ever pieces can continue to look beautiful and remain part of your story for years to come.
Our collection includes 925 Sterling Silver and genuine freshwater pearls, both of which benefit from thoughtful handling and proper storage.
1. Everyday Jewelry Care
The simplest way to protect your jewelry is to avoid unnecessary exposure to moisture, chemicals, and friction.
As a general rule:
Jewelry should be the last thing you put on—and the first thing you take off.
Put your jewelry on after:
- Perfume
- Lotion
- Moisturizer
- Makeup
- Sunscreen
- Hair spray
- Other beauty products
And remove your jewelry before:
- Showering
- Bathing
- Swimming
- Exercising
- Sleeping
- Cleaning
- Using household chemicals
This simple routine can help preserve the appearance of your jewelry over time.
2. Caring for 925 Sterling Silver
Why does Sterling Silver change over time?
925 Sterling Silver contains 92.5% pure silver.
Like genuine silver jewelry generally, Sterling Silver can naturally tarnish when exposed to oxygen, moisture, skin oils, cosmetics, perfumes, and other environmental elements.
This is a normal characteristic of silver and does not necessarily mean that the jewelry is damaged or defective.
With proper care, the appearance can be refreshed.
How to clean Sterling Silver
For light everyday buildup:
- Use a soft, clean jewelry cloth.
- Gently wipe the surface of the jewelry.
- Avoid aggressive rubbing.
- Pay attention to areas that come into frequent contact with skin.
- After cleaning, store the jewelry in a dry place.
For pieces containing pearls, gemstones, coatings, or other delicate components, do not use aggressive silver-polishing products unless you know they are safe for the entire piece.
What should I avoid with Sterling Silver?
Try to minimize contact with:
- Perfume
- Lotion
- Makeup
- Hair products
- Chlorine
- Salt water
- Household cleaners
- Bleach
- Strong chemicals
- Excessive moisture
Avoid using abrasive materials that can scratch the surface.
3. Caring for Freshwater Pearls
Pearls Need a Little Extra Care
Freshwater pearls are naturally delicate.
Their beauty comes from their organic, layered structure, which means they should be treated more gently than many harder gemstones.
The best approach is simple:
Wear them thoughtfully. Store them carefully. Clean them gently.
Keep Pearls Away From Chemicals
Pearls should be protected from direct contact with:
- Perfume
- Hair spray
- Makeup
- Lotion
- Sunscreen
- Household cleaners
- Chlorine
- Other harsh chemicals
These substances can affect the appearance of pearls and may damage delicate surfaces over time.
Our recommendation:
Put your pearl jewelry on after your beauty routine is complete.
4. Can I Shower or Swim With Pearl Jewelry?
We recommend removing pearl jewelry before showering, bathing, swimming, or exercising.
Avoid:
🚿 Showering
🏊 Swimming pools
🌊 Ocean / salt water
🏋️ Exercise
🧴 Direct exposure to lotions and cosmetics
🧪 Household chemicals
The less unnecessary exposure your pearls have to moisture, chemicals, and physical impact, the better.
5. How to Clean Freshwater Pearls
Pearls should be cleaned gently.
After wearing:
- Take the jewelry off.
- Use a soft, clean cloth.
- Gently wipe the pearls to remove surface oils or residue.
- If needed, lightly dampen the cloth with clean water.
- Gently wipe the surface.
- Allow the piece to dry completely before storing.
Avoid:
Abrasive cloths
Rough brushes
Scrubbing
Strong jewelry cleaners
Bleach
Household cleaning products
Ultrasonic cleaners unless specifically confirmed safe for that particular piece
Never aggressively rub a pearl.
6. How to Store Your Jewelry
Proper storage is one of the easiest ways to extend the life of your jewelry.
When you're not wearing your piece:
Keep it dry.
Store your jewelry somewhere:
Cool
Dry
Clean
Away from direct sunlight
Away from excessive humidity
Keep pieces separate.
Silver jewelry can scratch other jewelry, while harder materials can potentially scratch pearls.
Whenever possible, store individual pieces separately in:
- A soft jewelry pouch
- A lined jewelry box
- A dedicated jewelry compartment
7. Storing Pearl Necklaces
For pearl necklaces, avoid storing them underneath heavy jewelry or in a place where the strand can become tangled or compressed.
When putting a necklace away:
- Gently close the clasp.
- Lay the necklace flat or place it carefully inside a soft jewelry pouch.
- Keep it separate from other jewelry.
- Store it in a dry environment.
Avoid tightly wrapping or bending delicate components.
8. Caring for Your Ring
Rings naturally experience more contact with everyday surfaces than many other types of jewelry.
To help preserve your ring:
Remove it before:
- Washing dishes
- Cleaning
- Exercising
- Showering
- Swimming
- Gardening
- Handling harsh chemicals
- Sleeping, especially if the design could catch on fabric
After wearing, gently wipe it with a soft cloth before storing.
9. What About Scratches?
Jewelry can develop minor surface marks through normal wear.
To minimize unnecessary scratches:
Store pieces separately.
Avoid placing jewelry directly on hard surfaces.
Don't store rings and necklaces loosely together.
Keep jewelry away from abrasive materials.
Avoid wearing delicate pieces during strenuous activities.
Natural signs of wear can develop over time and are not necessarily defects.
10. Freshwater Pearl Variation Is Normal
One of the beautiful characteristics of genuine freshwater pearls is that they are not perfectly identical.
You may notice subtle differences in:
- Shape
- Size
- Color
- Luster
- Surface characteristics
- Natural markings
These differences can occur naturally and are part of the individual character of each pearl.
No two natural-origin pearls need to look exactly alike.
That individuality is part of what makes pearl jewelry special.
11. What NOT to Do
For quick reference, avoid:
❌ Don't wear jewelry in the shower.
❌ Don't swim with jewelry.
❌ Don't spray perfume directly onto jewelry.
❌ Don't apply lotion while wearing your jewelry.
❌ Don't expose jewelry to bleach or harsh chemicals.
❌ Don't scrub pearls.
❌ Don't use abrasive materials on pearls.
❌ Don't store pearls next to hard or sharp jewelry.
❌ Don't use aggressive cleaning products without confirming they are appropriate for your specific piece.
❌ Don't leave jewelry in damp environments.
12. A Simple Routine to Remember
You don't need a complicated jewelry-care routine.
Just remember:
Wear → Wipe → Store
1. WEAR
Put your jewelry on after perfume, cosmetics, lotion, and hair products.
2. WIPE
After wearing, gently wipe away oils and residue with a soft cloth.
3. STORE
Place your jewelry somewhere dry and protected, preferably separately from other pieces.
That's it.
A few seconds of care can make a meaningful difference over time.
Caring for Jewelry That Holds Meaning
Jewelry isn't meant to sit untouched in a box forever.
It's meant to be worn.
To become part of your everyday moments.
To be there for celebrations, milestones, quiet days, and memories you'll carry with you.
So don't be afraid to enjoy your KeepSake Ever pieces.
Just give them the care they deserve.
Wear them thoughtfully.
Care for them gently.
Keep them close.
KeepSake Ever
Jewelry That Holds Meaning.