Jewelry Care Guide

At Artisan Mate, we craft each piece with high-quality base metals and premium plating to give you the look of fine jewellery at a fraction of the cost. To make your pieces last as long as possible, a few simple habits make all the difference.

Artificial or imitation jewellery is made from base metals (brass, copper, zinc alloy) coated with gold, silver, or rhodium plating. While stunningly beautiful and affordable, these pieces require a little extra care to maintain their shine and prevent tarnishing.

Different types of artificial jewellery need slightly different care. Scroll to see all types:

Cleaning artificial jewellery is simple — the key rule is gentle and dry. Avoid liquids wherever possible and always ensure pieces are fully dry before storing.

• Dry Soft Cloth — Gently wipe with a microfibre or soft cotton cloth after every use to remove oils and dust
• Dry Toothbrush — Use a very soft, dry toothbrush to gently clean intricate designs or stone settings
• Cotton Bud — Dab a dry cotton bud in tight corners or behind stone settings to remove dust
• Mild Soap (rare use) — Only if very dirty, use a tiny amount of mild soap on a damp cloth, then immediately dry thoroughly
• Air Dry Completely — If any moisture touches the piece, air dry completely before storing — never store damp

• Store each piece in a separate zip-lock pouch or anti-tarnish bag — pieces rubbing together cause scratches and plating loss
• Use the original Artisan Mate box or pouch your jewellery came in — it's designed to protect the pieces
• Keep jewellery in a cool, dry, dark place — avoid bathrooms or windowsills where humidity is high
• Add a small silica gel packet in your jewellery box to absorb moisture and prevent tarnish
• Store necklaces and chains flat or hung to prevent knotting and tangling
• Wrap kundan and stone-set pieces in soft tissue before storing to protect the stones

Certain everyday activities are the biggest enemies of artificial jewellery. Always remove your pieces before:

• 🚿 Bathing, showering or washing face
• 🏊 Swimming in pool, sea or any water body (chlorine & salt damage plating fast)
• 🏋️ Exercising or gym — sweat is highly corrosive to plated metals
• 🍳 Cooking — heat, steam and oil vapours can dull the finish
• 🧹 Household cleaning — detergents, chemicals and bleach destroy plating instantly
• 💆 Applying body lotion, sunscreen or oil — these coat the surface and accelerate tarnish
• 😴 Sleeping — pressure and movement during sleep can bend or break delicate pieces

Q: Why is my jewellery turning dark or black?

This is called tarnishing. It happens when the base metal reacts with moisture, air, sweat or chemicals. It's natural over time, but proper storage and keeping jewellery dry slows it down significantly.

Q: My skin is turning green. Is it safe?

Completely harmless. The green colour is caused by a reaction between copper (in base metal) and your skin's natural acids or sweat. It washes off easily. Keeping pieces dry and applying a thin layer of clear nail polish on the inner surface can reduce this.

Q: Can I re-plate or polish my artificial jewellery?

Yes! Most local jewellers offer gold or silver re-plating services at very affordable rates. If a piece has tarnished, re-plating can restore it to a near-new look.

Q: How long will my Artisan Mate jewellery last?

With proper care — keeping dry, storing separately, and avoiding chemicals — your pieces can easily last 2+ years while maintaining their original shine and beauty.