Warm water, a drop of mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush will bring back the sparkle on almost every piece you own. Diamonds and moissanite don't actually get dull; a thin film of skin oil, lotion and soap sits on the back of the stone and blocks light from bouncing back out. Silver dulls for a different reason: it reacts with air and sweat and slowly tarnishes.

This guide covers lab-grown diamonds, moissanite, 925 sterling silver and gold, and when it's time to hand your piece to us instead.

What you need

• A small bowl of warm water (comfortable to the touch, not boiling)
• Mild, plain dish soap: no moisturisers, bleach or strong fragrance
• A soft baby toothbrush (keep it only for jewellery)
• A lint-free microfibre cloth for drying
• A silver polishing cloth, for 925 silver pieces only
• A small strainer or tea filter, so nothing slips away while rinsing

How to clean diamonds, lab-grown diamonds and moissanite

A 20-minute soak and a gentle brush, once every week or two, keeps stones looking brand new. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds and need exactly the same care as mined ones; moissanite is nearly as hard and cleans the same way.

1. Mix a few drops of dish soap into the bowl of warm water.
2. Soak the piece for 20 to 30 minutes to loosen oil and dirt.
3. Brush gently with the soft toothbrush, focusing on the back of the stone and under the prongs, where most of the build-up hides.
4. Rinse under warm running water inside the strainer, with the sink plugged.
5. Dry with the microfibre cloth. Avoid tissues and paper towels: they leave fibres and can catch on prongs.
6. Hold the piece to the light and gently tap it near your ear. If a stone moves or rattles, stop wearing it and bring it to us.

Home ultrasonic cleaners are fine for solid pieces with secure stones. Skip them for pavé or micro-pavé, plated pieces, or anything with a loose stone, because the vibration can shake small stones free.

How to clean 925 sterling silver

Wash silver the same way as above, then buff it dry with a silver polishing cloth to lift light tarnish. Wearing silver often actually slows tarnish, because gentle friction keeps it polished.

For yellowing or darker tarnish on plain, unplated silver:

1. Rub with the polishing cloth using straight back-and-forth strokes, not circles.
2. If that isn't enough, make a thin paste of baking soda and water and rub it on lightly with your fingers.
3. Rinse well and dry completely before storing.

Check your finish first. A very bright, white, mirror-like silver piece is usually rhodium-plated. Clean rhodium-plated silver with soap and water only; polishing cloths and baking soda can wear the plating away and expose the silver underneath. Avoid liquid silver dips on any piece with stones.

How to clean gold and plated pieces

Solid gold (14K, 18K) is easy: use the same soak, soft brush and microfibre dry as for diamonds.

Gold-plated and rose-gold-plated silver needs a lighter hand. Soak briefly, wipe instead of scrubbing, and pat dry. Never use a silver polishing cloth, baking soda or toothpaste on plated pieces. They are mildly abrasive and will strip the colour over time.

What to avoid

• Chlorine and bleach: pool water and household cleaners can weaken gold alloys and blacken silver.
• Toothpaste and scouring powders: they leave fine scratches on metal.
• Hard brushes and pins: they can bend prongs and loosen stones.
• Boiling water: some earrings and pendants have glued parts that boiling water can loosen.
• Cleaning over an open drain: always plug the sink or use a strainer.

Everyday care and storage

• Last on, first off: put jewellery on after perfume, lotion, sunscreen and hairspray, and take it off before bed.
• Take it off for the gym, swimming, cleaning, cooking with your hands, and applying creams.
• Store pieces separately in soft pouches or a lined box. Diamonds and moissanite are hard enough to scratch other jewellery, and each other.
• Keep silver airtight: a small zip-lock bag, with an anti-tarnish strip or silica sachet, slows tarnish a lot.
• Wipe after wearing: a quick pass with the microfibre cloth removes the day's oils before they build up.

When to bring it to us

A professional check every six months catches loose prongs before a stone is lost. Visit our store or message us if:

• A stone moves, rattles or sits crooked
• Prongs look bent, flattened or are catching on clothes
• A stone still looks cloudy after a home clean
• Plating has worn through and the metal underneath is showing
• A clasp, chain or earring back feels loose