Many people unknowingly damage their jewellery through simple daily habits. Whether you wear gold-filled pieces, natural stone necklaces, or everyday earrings, knowing how to care for your jewellery properly can extend its life significantly. This guide covers the six most common jewellery care mistakes and exactly how to avoid them.
Jewellery is designed to be loved and worn daily — but the way you wear, clean, and store it makes all the difference. Here are the six most common mistakes we see, and why they matter.
Can you wear gold-filled jewellery while swimming?
Swimming with your jewellery on might seem harmless, but chlorine and salt water can cause serious damage over time. Chlorine is especially harsh on metals — it can weaken gold, dull the shine, and affect delicate stone settings. Salt water accelerates tarnishing and leaves residue behind that builds up with repeated exposure.
Even if your jewellery is gold-filled and more resistant than gold-plated, repeated contact with pool chemicals and ocean water will shorten its lifespan and affect its finish.
Tip: Remove your jewellery before swimming whenever possible.
Does perfume damage gold jewellery?
Yes — and it's one of the most overlooked causes of jewellery damage. Perfume, hairspray, lotions, and other beauty products contain chemicals that react with metals and natural stones. Over time, this leads to tarnishing, discolouration, and a dull, flat finish.
Most people spray perfume after getting dressed, which means their jewellery absorbs those chemicals directly. This affects gold-plated pieces most severely, but even gold-filled jewellery benefits from being kept away from direct chemical contact.
Tip: Apply perfume and beauty products first, let them dry completely, then put your jewellery on last.
Should you sleep with your jewellery on?
Sleeping in jewellery is one of the easiest ways to damage it without realising. Chains can twist or snap under body weight. Claws can loosen. Rings can bend from pressure. Fine pieces can catch on bedding or hair, causing unnecessary wear that adds up over time.
For permanent jewellery, occasional sleeping is usually fine. For delicate necklaces, earrings, and rings — nightly removal is the single best habit you can build.
Tip: Remove delicate jewellery before bed and store it in a dry pouch or jewellery box.
How often should you clean your jewellery?
More often than most people think. Jewellery collects dirt, skin oils, skincare products, and daily buildup quickly — and over time, this causes pieces to lose their brilliance and can affect the security of stones and clasps.
Regular cleaning not only restores the original finish but also gives you the chance to spot early signs of wear before they become costly repairs. At D'ÁVILA Jewels, we offer complimentary in-store cleans on the Sunshine Coast to keep your pieces looking exactly as they should.
Tip: Clean your jewellery regularly at home with warm water and a soft cloth, and have it professionally checked every few months.
Can you wear jewellery to the gym?
Sweat, friction, and heavy movement all take a toll on jewellery during workouts. Rings can scratch against equipment. Chains can stretch or snap under tension. Sweat contributes to tarnishing over time, and the physical nature of exercise increases the chance of catching or knocking a piece accidentally — especially during weight training or high-intensity sessions.
Tip: Remove valuable or delicate jewellery before exercising. Your pieces will thank you.
How should you store jewellery to prevent tarnishing?
Storage is often the last thing people think about — and one of the biggest causes of preventable damage. Leaving jewellery on bathroom counters exposes it to humidity and steam. Tossing pieces into a drawer together causes scratching. Open air and direct sunlight speed up oxidation, particularly in silver and mixed-metal pieces.
Each piece deserves its own space. A fabric-lined jewellery box or individual pouches are the simplest way to prevent tarnishing, scratching, and tangled chains.
Tip: Store jewellery in a dry jewellery box or pouch, away from humidity, direct sunlight, and other pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jewellery Care
Is gold-filled jewellery waterproof? Gold-filled jewellery is significantly more durable than gold-plated, but repeated exposure to chlorine, salt water, and harsh chemicals can still affect its finish over time. Remove it before swimming when possible to extend its life.
How do I clean gold-filled jewellery at home? Use a soft cloth and warm water with a small amount of mild soap. Avoid abrasive cleaners or ultrasonic machines. Dry thoroughly before storing. For a deeper clean, visit us in-store.
Does gold-filled jewellery tarnish? Gold-filled jewellery is far more resistant to tarnishing than gold-plated because it contains a thicker layer of real gold bonded to the base metal. With proper care, it holds its colour for years — often a decade or more.
Where can I get my jewellery professionally cleaned on the Sunshine Coast? D'ÁVILA Jewels offers complimentary in-store cleans at our Sunshine Coast location. You're also welcome to shop our full collection of handcrafted, gold-filled jewellery online at davilajewelsau.com.
Protect your jewellery for years to come
Jewellery is an investment — in how you feel and how you show up. A few simple habits can keep your pieces looking exactly as they did on day one.
If your jewellery needs a refresh, visit D'ÁVILA Jewels on the Sunshine Coast for a complimentary professional clean.
Handcrafted in Brazil. Gold-filled, not plated. Built to last.
