How do I clean artificial jewellery at home?

Wipe with a dry microfibre cloth, then clean crevices with a soft brush dipped in lukewarm water and one drop of mild soap. Pat dry immediately and store airtight. Never soak plated jewellery.

How do I remove rust from artificial jewellery?

Dab light rust spots with a cotton bud and a paste of baking soda and water, rub gently for a few seconds, rinse the spot with a damp cloth and dry fully. Heavy rust means the base metal is exposed and the piece is best replaced.

What is artificial jewellery made of?

Most artificial or imitation jewellery uses a brass or alloy base finished with 18k gold, rose gold or rhodium plating, set with pearls, kundan, American diamond or enamel work.

How long does gold plated artificial jewellery last?

Anti-tarnish 18k gold plated jewellery keeps its colour for a year or more with regular wear if you put it on last, take it off first, and store it dry and airtight.

Can artificial jewellery be worn in water?

Only waterproof, anti-tarnish pieces tolerate brief splashes. Remove all imitation jewellery before showering, swimming or workouts — chlorine, salt and sweat strip plating fastest.

Care guide

How to Clean, Polish & Store Artificial Jewellery

Artificial jewellery does not fail because it is imitation — it fails because of moisture, perfume and the wrong cleaning cloth. Here is exactly how we care for gold plated, oxidised and pearl pieces so a ₹699 set still looks new a year later.

1. What artificial jewellery actually is

Artificial jewellery — also called imitation or fashion jewellery — is built on a brass or alloy base and finished with 18k gold, rose gold or rhodium plating, then set with pearls, kundan, American diamond or enamel. The metal underneath is what decides how long the piece lasts, and the plating is what you are protecting every time you clean it.

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2. How to clean artificial jewellery at home

Start dry: a microfibre cloth removes most sweat, perfume and body oil. If a piece is genuinely dirty, dip a soft baby toothbrush in lukewarm water with one drop of mild soap, work through crevices for a few seconds, then pat dry at once. Never soak plated jewellery, and never use toothpaste, vinegar, sanitiser or alcohol wipes — they strip plating in a single clean.

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3. Removing rust and tarnish spots

Rust on artificial jewellery is base metal reacting to trapped moisture. For light spots, use a cotton bud with a thin baking soda paste, rub gently, wipe with a damp cloth and dry completely. Oxidised silver jewellery is the opposite case — its dark finish is intentional, so polish only the raised areas with a dry cloth and leave the recesses alone.

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4. Polishing gold plated pieces without damage

A jewellery polishing cloth with a dry side and a treated side restores shine on gold plated brass in under a minute. Work in straight lines, not circles, and stop as soon as the shine returns — over-polishing thins the plating. Pearls and enamel get the dry cloth only.

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5. Storage: the step that actually decides lifespan

Humidity does more damage than wear. Keep one piece per zip pouch or lined compartment, drop a silica gel sachet into the box, and keep it out of the bathroom and off sunny windowsills. Chains stay knot-free when clasped and laid flat rather than dropped in a bowl.

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6. The wear rules that keep plating intact

Jewellery goes on last, after perfume, moisturiser and hairspray, and comes off first, before workouts, showers and sleep. Rotate favourites instead of wearing one set daily. Follow this and anti-tarnish 18k gold plated artificial jewellery holds colour for a year or more.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I clean artificial jewellery at home?: Dry wipe with microfibre, then a soft brush with lukewarm water and one drop of mild soap for crevices. Dry immediately — never soak plated pieces.
How do I remove rust from artificial jewellery?: A cotton bud with baking soda paste on the spot, a gentle rub, a damp wipe and full drying. Heavy rust means the base metal is exposed.
What is artificial jewellery made of?: A brass or alloy base with 18k gold, rose gold or rhodium plating, set with pearls, kundan, American diamond or enamel.
How long does gold plated artificial jewellery last?: A year or more of regular wear when it goes on last, comes off first, and is stored dry and airtight.
Can I wear artificial jewellery in water?: Only waterproof anti-tarnish pieces handle splashes. Remove everything before showers, swimming and workouts.

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