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Common Jewelry Care Mistakes (and What to Do Instead)
â 8â9 min read
Why Your Jewelry Looks Older Than It Really Is
Picture this: weâre sitting in a cafĂ©, and you empty your jewelry pouch onto the table. A few pieces are still shiny, but others look dark, scratched, or tangled. Itâs easy to think, âTheyâre just old now,â but most of the time itâs not ageâitâs care habits.
The good news? You donât need to be a jeweler to fix it. Many people make the same simple mistakes with their everyday bracelets, rings, and necklaces. Once you know what to avoid, your pieces stay bright and wearable for much longer.
In this guide, weâll walk through the most common jewelry care mistakes and what to do instead, so you can keep your collection looking fresh, not fragile.
If you want a full, step-by-step routine after this, you can also check our complete jewelry care guide for cleaning, storage and travel tips in one place.
Mistake #1: Wearing Jewelry Everywhere (Shower, Gym & Sleep)
We get it. When you really love a piece, you never want to take it off. But some of the most common damage happens in three places: the shower, the gym and your bed.
Why Water Is a Problem
- Soaps and shampoos can leave a dull film on stones and metal.
- Chlorine and pools can weaken certain metals and damage plating.
- Constant soaking can loosen glue in fashion jewelry and crystal settings.
Workouts & Sleep
- Sweat can speed up tarnish on silver and fashion metals.
- Heavy movement can bend rings and pull on chains.
- Sleeping in jewelry can twist necklaces, catch earrings, and stress clasps.
Better habit: create a tiny âdrop zoneâ by your sink or bed so itâs easy to take pieces off before showers, workouts, or sleep. If you need more daily-care ideas, our jewelry care 101 guide breaks down simple habits that protect your jewelry all day.
Mistake #2: Using Harsh or âHackyâ Cleaning Methods
A quick search online and youâll see all kinds of wild jewelry hacks: toothpaste, baking soda scrubs, strong chemicals, even rough kitchen sponges. Some of these might get short-term shine, but they can quietly scratch, strip or weaken your pieces.
What to Avoid
- Toothpaste or baking soda pastes: too abrasive for many metals and stones.
- Bleach, ammonia or strong cleaners: can damage finishes and loosen settings.
- Hard brushes or scouring pads: leave micro-scratches that dull shine over time.
What Works Better
- Lukewarm water + a drop of mild liquid soap.
- A very soft toothbrush or makeup brush for detailed areas.
- A lint-free cloth or microfiber cloth for polishing.
For an easy, safe routine you can reuse every month, save our step-by-step jewelry cleaning tutorial with gentle, home-friendly instructions.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Metals, Skin Reactions & Tarnish
Not all metals behave the same. If your wrist turns green or your ears feel itchy, it doesnât always mean jewelry âisnât for youââit usually means the metal isnât right for your skin or lifestyle.
Common Metal Mismatches
- Wearing fast-tarnishing fashion metals every day in hot, humid weather.
- Choosing delicate plating for pieces that never come off.
- Ignoring skin reactions and continuing to wear the same metals.
If you have sensitive skin, look for materials like stainless steel or other hypoallergenic options. You can explore comfortable, low-maintenance choices in our hypoallergenic stainless steel collection for pieces that are kinder to your skin.
Not sure what you already own? Our jewelry metals guide explains silver, steel, gold-plated and fashion metals in simple language.
Mistake #4: Tossing Everything in One Pile
Weâve all done itâearrings, rings, and chains all thrown into the same little dish or pouch. It takes five seconds in the moment, and then ten minutes to untangle later. Worse, pieces can scratch, bend and knot when theyâre all stacked together.
What Happens in a Jewelry Pile
- Chains knot themselves and can snap when you try to undo them.
- Harder metals scratch softer ones and softer stones.
- Earring backs go missing and lone studs get lost.
Smarter Storage Alternatives
- Use sections or small dishes for different types: rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings.
- Hang or lay necklaces flat to keep them tangle-free.
- Keep silver away from open air as much as you can to slow tarnish.
If youâre ready to upgrade from the âeverything in one bowlâ system, a dedicated jewelry organizer makes it much easier to see what you have and prevent damage at the same time.
Mistake #5: Traveling Without Protection & Skipping Regular Care
Suitcases and handbags are rough on jewelry. Tossing pieces into a side pocket is a fast way to end up with scratches, missing stones, or mystery tangles. Add dust, sweat, and sunscreen from vacation, and your pieces can come home looking tired.
Travel Mistakes to Avoid
- Throwing loose pieces into a makeup bag or random zipper pocket.
- Taking your entire collection instead of a small, easy-to-care-for capsule.
- Not wiping pieces down after long days of sweat, beach time or city exploring.
Better Travel Habits
- Pack jewelry in a structured travel jewelry case with separate sections for rings, bracelets, and necklaces.
- Bring a tiny soft cloth to wipe pieces at night before you put them away.
- Choose a few everyday-friendly metals so you donât worry about every single piece.
Skipping care completely is a mistake too. A quick wipe here, a gentle clean there, and smart storage can keep your jewelry shiny for years, not months.
You donât have to do everything perfectlyâjust avoid a few common jewelry care mistakes and your favorite pieces will already last longer.
When your current collection is clean, comfy, and organized, itâs the perfect time to add a new favorite. Explore our everyday jewelry collection and find pieces youâll actually enjoy caring for and wearing on repeat.