18k Gold Care & Wearability Guide

About 18k Gold

18k gold contains 75% pure gold alloyed with other metals for added durability. This composition gives it a rich, warm colour while providing greater resistance to everyday wear compared to higher-karat golds.

Everyday Wear

18k gold is well-suited to regular wear and holds up to the demands of daily use better than 22k or 24k gold. However, even durable gold jewellery benefits from mindful habits to preserve its finish and shine over time. We recommend removing your pieces before activities that place direct stress on them, such as heavy lifting, sport, or manual work.

Cleaning Your Jewellery

• Gently clean with a soft, lint-free cloth after each wear to remove skin oils and light residue.
• For a deeper clean, soak briefly in lukewarm water with a small amount of mild, fragrance-free soap. Use a soft-bristle brush (such as a baby toothbrush) to gently clean around settings and detail work.
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water and pat dry with a soft cloth. Allow to air-dry completely before storing.
• Do not use ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaning without first consulting a professional jeweller, as these methods may not be suitable for all stone settings or finishes.

Products & Activities to Avoid

• Chemicals: Remove jewellery before contact with chlorine (swimming pools, hot tubs), bleach, household cleaners, perfumes, hairspray, and lotions. These can dull the surface or affect metal alloys over time.
• Cosmetics: Apply perfume, sunscreen, and body products before putting on your jewellery, and allow them to dry first.
• Water exposure: Remove pieces before swimming in the sea or pool, showering, or washing up, as prolonged water exposure and soaps can affect the finish.
• Impact & abrasion: Store each piece separately to prevent scratching. Avoid contact with harder materials such as diamonds or other gemstones when storing multiple pieces together.

Storage

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity.
• Use a fabric-lined jewellery box or individual soft pouches to keep pieces separate and protected.
• Keep clasps fastened and chains laid flat to prevent tangling.

When to Seek Professional Care

• Have your jewellery professionally inspected periodically, particularly if stones appear loose, clasps feel weak, or the surface shows signs of significant wear.
• Professional polishing can restore lustre to pieces that have become scratched or dull — we recommend doing this sparingly to preserve the original finish.
• A qualified jeweller can re-plate, re-polish, or re-set stones as needed.

For care questions specific to your piece, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.