Jewelry Care Guide

Jewelry Care Guide

Your CARISSIE jewelry is crafted from 925 Sterling Silver with 18K Gold plating, set with AGL Certified Moissanite. With proper care, your pieces will maintain their brilliance and beauty for years to come. Follow these guidelines to keep your jewelry looking its best.

Daily Care Tips

  • Put it on last, take it off first. Apply all lotions, perfumes, sunscreen, and hair products before putting on your jewelry. Remove your jewelry before washing your hands, showering, or going to bed.
  • Remove before contact with water. Take off your jewelry before swimming, bathing, showering, or doing dishes. Chlorine, saltwater, and even prolonged freshwater exposure can damage gold plating and accelerate tarnishing.
  • Remove during exercise. Sweat contains salts and acids that can affect plating and cause tarnishing. Remove your jewelry before workouts, sports, or any strenuous physical activity.
  • Avoid chemicals. Keep your jewelry away from household cleaners, bleach, hand sanitizer, acetone, and other harsh chemicals. These can damage both the plating and the sterling silver base.
  • Handle with clean, dry hands. Oils from your skin can build up on the stone's surface, reducing its sparkle over time. Handle your jewelry with clean hands when putting it on and taking it off.

Cleaning Your Jewelry

Regular cleaning keeps your moissanite sparkling and your settings looking fresh. We recommend cleaning your jewelry every 2–4 weeks, or whenever you notice a decrease in sparkle.

  1. Prepare a cleaning solution. Fill a small bowl with warm (not hot) water and add a few drops of mild dish soap. Avoid harsh detergents or jewelry cleaners that contain ammonia or abrasives.
  2. Soak. Place your jewelry in the solution and let it soak for 10–15 minutes. This loosens oils, lotions, and everyday grime.
  3. Gently brush. Using a soft-bristle brush (a baby toothbrush works well), gently brush around the stone, the setting, and the band. Pay attention to the back of the stone and any crevices where buildup tends to accumulate.
  4. Rinse thoroughly. Rinse under clean, lukewarm running water. Make sure to plug the drain or rinse over a bowl to prevent accidental loss.
  5. Pat dry. Gently pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth (microfiber works best). Do not rub vigorously, as this can affect the plating over time. Allow the piece to air dry completely before storing.

Do not use ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, or abrasive polishing cloths on gold-plated jewelry, as these can strip or damage the plating layer.

Storage

  • Store pieces separately. Keep each piece of jewelry in its own compartment, pouch, or soft cloth bag to prevent scratching. Even moissanite, at 9.25 on the Mohs scale, can scratch softer metals and gemstones.
  • Keep in a cool, dry place. Humidity accelerates tarnishing. Store your jewelry in a low-humidity environment, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
  • Use anti-tarnish strips. Place anti-tarnish strips (available at most jewelry supply stores) inside your jewelry box or storage bag. These absorb moisture and sulfur compounds that cause tarnishing, significantly extending the life of your pieces.
  • Use the CARISSIE box. Your jewelry arrives in a protective CARISSIE gift box — this is an ideal storage container. Keep it and use it.

Gold Plating Maintenance

18K gold plating adds warmth and luxury to your jewelry, but it is a surface treatment that requires mindful care. Here's how to maximize its longevity:

  • Minimize friction. Avoid wearing rings on your dominant hand when doing manual tasks. Friction is the primary cause of plating wear.
  • Rotate your pieces. If you wear jewelry daily, consider rotating between pieces to reduce continuous wear on any single item.
  • Avoid contact with hard surfaces. Be mindful when wearing rings — tapping them on desks, counters, or steering wheels can accelerate plating wear on the band.
  • Re-plating is an option. If your plating wears thin over time, many local jewelers offer re-plating services at a reasonable cost. This can restore your piece to its original luster.

Moissanite Stone Care

The good news: moissanite is one of the most durable gemstones on Earth. Unlike cubic zirconia, moissanite will never cloud, dull, or lose its brilliance. It will sparkle just as brightly in 20 years as it does today. The key to maintaining that sparkle is simply keeping the stone clean — oils and buildup on the surface are the only things that can temporarily reduce its fire.

Questions?

If you have any questions about caring for your CARISSIE jewelry, don't hesitate to email us at voice@carissie.com. We're always happy to help.