Guides
Jewelry Care Instructions
How to preserve your gold-plated moissanite jewelry — from daily habits to cleaning, storage, and long-term care.
Almost all of our jewelry is gold-plated — a genuine gold surface that looks stunning but needs a small amount of consistent care to stay that way.
The moissanite stone itself is virtually indestructible. What varies is how long the gold finish and setting look their best.
This guide gives you everything you need to keep both the stone and the metal in excellent condition for years to come.
Stone care
Minimal effort
Hardness 9.25 — no special treatment needed
Plating care
Daily habits
Remove before water · Apply cosmetics first
Cleaning
Monthly
Soap + soft brush + lint-free cloth
Overview
Why Jewelry Care Matters More Than You Think
Moissanite is one of the hardest, most durable gemstones on the planet. The stone itself is almost indestructible under normal wear conditions. But the jewelry piece around it — the metal setting, the finish, the plating — tells a different story. Most of our collection is finished in gold plating, which is a real, genuine gold surface that requires a little consistent attention to stay beautiful long-term.
The good news: caring for gold-plated moissanite jewelry is straightforward. A few daily habits account for the vast majority of a piece's longevity. This guide gives you the full picture — from the science of plating wear to practical step-by-step cleaning — so your jewelry looks as stunning in three years as it does the day it arrives.
Stone hardness
9.25 Mohs
Near diamond-grade scratch resistance
Plating lifespan
1–3 years
With proper daily care habits
Home cleaning
Monthly
Soft brush + mild soap is all you need
Gold plating care
Understanding Gold Plating — and How to Protect It
Gold plating means a layer of real gold has been bonded to the surface of a base metal (usually sterling silver, brass, or stainless steel). The gold layer is genuine — it has the warm colour, the luster, and the feel of solid gold — but it is a surface finish rather than a solid gold piece throughout. This distinction matters because it tells us exactly how to care for it.
The core principle
Gold plating is worn away by friction and chemical exposure — not time alone. Reduce those two factors, and your gold finish lasts dramatically longer.
The most common causes of premature plating wear are water and chemical contact (shower water, chlorine, perfume, lotions, sweat) and abrasion (rubbing against hard surfaces or other metals). Both are largely preventable with simple habits.
Remove before water
Take off all gold-plated jewelry before showering, washing dishes, swimming, or entering a pool or hot tub. Even clean tap water softens and loosens the bond between the gold layer and the base metal over time.
Last on, first off
Put your jewelry on after applying makeup, perfume, hairspray, lotion, and sunscreen. Remove it before cooking, exercising, or doing any activity that causes sweating. This single habit is the biggest predictor of how long your plating lasts.
Avoid prolonged sunlight
UV radiation and heat can dull the gold finish and dry out any microscopic oils that keep the metal surface looking polished. Store pieces away from sunny windowsills and never leave them in a hot car.
No direct skin friction
Bracelets and rings naturally rub against skin and surfaces. For these pieces in particular, be mindful of friction. Rotating ring styles occasionally — or wearing gloves during housework — extends the plating noticeably.
Daily habits
The Daily Habits That Make the Biggest Difference
Most of the damage to gold-plated jewelry happens not from single incidents but from cumulative daily exposure. These habits, once routine, will add years to your jewelry's life.
Build these habits
- Remove jewelry before showering, swimming, or washing hands
- Apply perfume and skincare before putting on jewelry
- Clean gently with mild soap and a soft toothbrush monthly
- Store each piece separately in a soft pouch
- Pat dry immediately after any moisture contact
- Check stone prongs every 6 months
Avoid these habits
- Wear in pools, hot tubs, or the ocean
- Apply lotion, hairspray, or perfume while wearing
- Use ultrasonic cleaners, steam, or abrasive cloths
- Sleep with rings or necklaces on
- Store pieces touching each other
- Use toothpaste or household cleaners
A simple rule to remember
“Jewelry goes on last before you leave, and comes off first when you get home.”
This single habit protects against perfume, moisturiser, and hairspray contact in the morning, and removes pieces before cooking, washing up, or showering in the evening.
Cleaning at home
How to Clean Your Jewelry at Home
Regular gentle cleaning is the second most impactful thing you can do for your jewelry, after building good daily habits. Clean your pieces once a month, or whenever you notice the moissanite looking less vivid than usual. The process takes less than 10 minutes and makes a noticeable difference.
What you need
Lukewarm water · Mild dish soap · Soft toothbrush · Lint-free cloth
- 01
Fill a small bowl with lukewarm (not hot) water and add 2–3 drops of mild dish soap — plain dish soap, not antibacterial or exfoliating formulas.
- 02
Submerge the piece and let it soak for no more than 5 minutes.
- 03
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush (baby toothbrush works perfectly), gently scrub around the stone settings, under the prongs, and along any textured surfaces.
- 04
Rinse thoroughly under a gentle stream of lukewarm running water. Hold the piece tightly — rinsing over an open drain is a common accident.
- 05
Pat dry immediately with a clean, lint-free cloth or microfibre towel. Do not rub aggressively. Let air dry on a dry cloth for 5 more minutes before storing.
Important: Do not soak gold-plated jewelry for longer than 5 minutes. Extended soaking can penetrate any micro-gaps in the plating and begin to separate the gold layer from the base metal.
Storage
How to Store Your Jewelry Properly
Proper storage protects your jewelry from two main threats: physical scratching from contact with other pieces, and chemical tarnishing from humidity and airborne compounds. Both are easy to prevent with a few inexpensive additions to your jewelry routine.
One piece per pouch
Store each piece in its own soft fabric pouch or the original jewelry box. Pieces stored together scratch each other — even gold-on-gold contact leaves marks.
Anti-tarnish pouches or strips
Add a small anti-tarnish strip to your jewelry drawer or box. These absorb the sulfur compounds in the air that cause tarnishing and help gold-plated pieces stay bright between wears.
Cool, dry environment
Humidity accelerates tarnishing. Avoid storing jewelry in bathrooms, near open windows, or in humid climates without a dry box. A bedroom drawer or a closed jewelry box at room temperature is ideal.
Away from direct light
UV from windows fades certain finishes over time. Closed boxes or drawers are always preferable to open display trays near windows.
Travel tip
When travelling, place each piece in its own small ziplock bag or individual pouch before putting them in a travel case. Suitcases and bags shift during transit, and pieces stored loosely together will scratch each other. A few extra seconds before packing saves significant wear.
Moissanite stone
Caring for the Moissanite Stone Itself
While the gold finish needs ongoing care, the moissanite stone is remarkably self-sufficient. Its extraordinary hardness and chemical stability mean it requires only occasional cleaning — no special products, no professional treatments. Here is what you need to know about the stone specifically.
Extremely scratch-resistant
Moissanite ranks 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale — harder than virtually every household surface and most gemstones. Your stone will not scratch from normal everyday use or accidental contact.
Soap and water is safe
Unlike some gemstones, moissanite handles mild soapy water well. It is not porous and does not absorb liquids. A soft toothbrush with soapy water is all you need to keep the facets brilliant.
Brilliance stays intact
Moissanite does not lose its optical properties over time. If the stone looks dull, it is almost always a film of lotion, soap residue, or oils on the surface — not a change in the stone. A clean will restore the full sparkle instantly.
Prong check every 6 months
The stone itself needs no special maintenance, but the metal setting does. Check prongs and bezels every 6 months to ensure the stone is secure. If a prong feels loose or catches on fabric, stop wearing the piece and have a jeweler inspect it.
Key takeaway
If the stone looks dull, a 10-minute clean will restore it to full brilliance. Moissanite does not permanently dull, cloud, or lose its optical properties — any haziness is surface film, not stone degradation.
What to avoid
What to Avoid Completely
These are the items and situations most commonly responsible for premature wear, discolouration, and damage to gold-plated moissanite jewelry. Each one is preventable once you know what to look out for.
Ultrasonic cleaners
The vibrations can loosen prong settings and micro-fracture the plating layer.
Steam cleaners
High heat and pressure strip plating and can cause thermal shock to the stone.
Toothpaste
It is mildly abrasive and will scratch the gold surface, creating micro-grooves that trap dirt.
Bleach & household cleaners
These oxidize and permanently discolor the base metal, especially if the plating wears thin.
Abrasive cloths or paper towels
Even soft-looking paper towels have microscopic fibres that scratch polished metal.
Perfume & hairspray directly on jewelry
The alcohol and chemical compounds break down the gold bond and leave a hazy residue.
Chlorine & saltwater
Both aggressively attack gold plating. Remove all jewelry before pools, hot tubs, and ocean swims.
Sleeping with jewelry on
Pillow friction and body heat through the night add up quickly — rings, necklaces, and bracelets all benefit from being removed at bedtime.
Re-plating
Re-plating: Restoring Your Gold Finish
Even with perfect care, gold plating will eventually wear at high-friction contact points. This is normal, expected, and fully reversible. Re-plating gives your piece a brand-new gold surface, and the moissanite stone looks just as brilliant afterwards. Think of it as routine maintenance rather than a repair.
When does plating wear?
Gold plating naturally wears thinnest on contact points: the inside of ring bands, the clasp area of necklaces, and the back of earring posts. You may notice the base metal colour starting to show through, or the gold appearing lighter or slightly uneven in certain areas.
How often will I need re-plating?
With proper care — removing before water and chemicals, storing correctly, cleaning gently — most pieces maintain their finish for 1–3 years of regular wear. High-contact pieces like everyday rings may show wear sooner. Occasional pieces can last many years without needing attention.
Can any jeweler re-plate?
Yes. Re-plating is a straightforward service offered by most local jewelers and online plating services. The jeweler will clean the piece, polish out any surface scratches, and apply a fresh layer of gold. The stone is protected during this process.
What plating thickness lasts longest?
Plating is measured in microns. A 2.5-micron or thicker gold layer will last significantly longer than standard 0.5-micron flash plating. When you inquire about re-plating, ask specifically for a heavier plating weight for better longevity.
Our promise
We source our gold-plated pieces with care and finish quality in mind. Should you ever need re-plating advice or support, our team is always available to help you find the right service or answer your questions. Jewelry is meant to be worn and loved — we want yours to last.
Quick answers
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from customers caring for their gold-plated moissanite pieces.
Shop the Collection
Jewelry built to last — and to be loved.
Every piece in our collection is finished with care and designed for real life. With a little daily attention, your moissanite jewelry will look as brilliant years from now as it does today.
Browse Moissanite Jewelry