How to Care for and Store Imitation Jewellery (So It Lasts)

Imitation and fashion jewellery needs a different care routine than solid gold or diamond pieces — and treating it the same way (dunking it in jewellery cleaner, scrubbing it, or storing it however happens to be convenient) is the fastest way to dull the plating, loosen stones, or tarnish the metal base. Here's what actually helps a Kundan set, necklace set, or any imitation piece keep its shine and last through many wears.

Why imitation jewellery care is different

Fine gold and diamond jewellery is solid metal and genuinely hard stone all the way through, so it can handle a fair amount of exposure to water, soap, and friction. Imitation jewellery is built differently: a base metal (often brass or a similar alloy) is plated with a thin gold-tone finish, and stones are frequently set with adhesive or foil-backing (as in Kundan work) rather than prong-set the way a diamond would be. That thin plated layer and the adhesive-set stones are exactly what makes this jewellery affordable and lightweight — but it also means moisture, chemicals, and rough handling affect it much faster than they would a solid gold piece.

The basics: what shortens the life of plated and stone-set jewellery

• Perfume, deodorant, and hairspray: these are the single biggest cause of dulled plating. The chemicals in most sprays react with the plated surface over time. The simple fix: get dressed, apply perfume and hairspray first, and put your jewellery on last.
• Water and sweat: plating can tarnish with repeated moisture exposure, and adhesive-set stones (common in Kundan-style work) can loosen if they're regularly wet. Take jewellery off before a shower, swimming, or a workout.
• Direct sunlight and heat: leaving jewellery on a sunlit windowsill or in a hot car for long periods can affect both the plating's colour and the stone adhesive.
• Rough contact: tossing pieces into a bag with keys or other jewellery causes scratching and can bend delicate settings, especially on layered necklace sets and jhumka-style earrings.

Cleaning: gentle, dry, and infrequent

Resist the urge to use jewellery cleaning solutions, ultrasonic cleaners, or anything with water and chemicals — these are made for solid gold and genuine stones and can strip plating or dissolve the adhesive holding Kundan-style stones in place. Instead:

• Wipe the piece gently with a soft, dry microfibre cloth after each wear to remove any oils or residue from skin contact.
• If a piece looks visibly dusty, use a dry, soft-bristled brush (a clean, soft makeup brush works well) rather than water.
• Avoid rubbing directly over stone settings — go around them, not across them, so you don't loosen the foil-backing or adhesive.

Storage: the single biggest factor in how long plating lasts

How you store jewellery between wears matters as much as how you clean it. A few practical habits:

• Store pieces separately, ideally each in its own soft pouch or a compartmentalised box — letting pieces touch and rub against each other is one of the most common causes of scratched plating.
• Keep it dry. A cool, dry drawer or box is better than a humid bathroom cabinet — humidity accelerates tarnishing on plated metal.
• Keep necklace sets flat or gently coiled, rather than hung, especially heavier layered sets — hanging can stretch the dori (thread) closure or strain the clasp over time.
• Close pouches or boxes fully to limit air and moisture exposure, which slows the natural tarnishing process on the plated surface.

Wearing it right, not just storing it right

A few small habits during the day extend a piece's life as much as storage does: put jewellery on as the last step of getting ready, take it off as the first step of getting undressed, and avoid wearing statement pieces during activities where they'll be under constant friction or pressure (tight scarves, seatbelts pressing against a necklace, sleeping in earrings). None of this is about being precious with the jewellery — it's just the practical version of "last on, first off" that keeps plating and stone-settings intact through many wears.

When it's time to retire a piece

Even with good care, plated jewellery has a natural lifespan, and that's normal — it's part of what makes imitation and fashion jewellery an affordable way to keep up with trends and outfits without the cost of fine jewellery. If plating starts visibly wearing through to the base metal, or a stone comes loose, it's usually not worth attempting a home repair with glue, which rarely holds as well as the original setting.

Good care isn't complicated — it mostly comes down to keeping pieces dry, storing them separately, and putting jewellery on last and taking it off first. Follow that, and a well-made necklace set or Kundan piece will comfortably see you through many festive seasons and functions.