Jewellery Care Guide
Your Stara piece was built to last a lifetime — and with the right daily habits, it will. Here's everything you need to keep it looking exactly as extraordinary as the day it arrived.
Daily wear
The golden rule — last on, first off.
The simplest habit that extends the life of any fine jewellery piece: put it on last when getting ready, and take it off first when you're done. This single routine keeps your jewellery away from perfume, hairspray, lotions, and makeup — all of which dull stones and damage metal over time.
Do
- Put your jewellery on after applying perfume, lotion and makeup
- Remove rings before washing hands with soap
- Take jewellery off before cooking, gardening, or manual work
- Store each piece separately to avoid scratching
- Have your piece professionally cleaned once a year
- Check prongs and settings every 6–12 months for security
Don't
- Wear jewellery in the shower — soap residue builds up and dulls stones
- Swim with fine jewellery — chlorine attacks gold alloys and loosens prongs
- Sleep in rings or bracelets — metal bends and prongs catch on bedding
- Apply hand cream or sanitiser while wearing rings
- Hit your ring against hard surfaces — even diamonds can chip
- Store multiple pieces loose together — they will scratch each other
At-home cleaning
How to clean your piece safely at home.
A gentle clean every few weeks removes the oils, soap film, and daily buildup that gradually dim a stone's brilliance. You don't need any special equipment — just a few household items used carefully.
Prepare a warm soak
Fill a small bowl with warm (not hot) water and a few drops of mild dish soap — the kind you'd use on glasses. Nothing stronger. Harsh soaps and chemicals strip gold plating and can damage certain gemstones.
Soak for 20–30 minutes
Place your piece in the solution and let it sit. This loosens built-up skin oils, lotion, and soap residue from around the stone and under the setting. Don't scrub yet — let the water do the work first.
Brush gently with a soft toothbrush
Use a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush (baby toothbrush size is ideal) to gently brush around the stone, under the setting, and around the band. Be gentle — you're cleaning, not scrubbing.
Rinse thoroughly
Rinse under warm running water until all soap is gone. Do this over a bowl rather than directly over a drain — just in case. Soap residue left behind is actually what makes stones look dull.
Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth
Pat dry gently — don't rub — with a microfibre cloth or soft jewellery polishing cloth. Let it air dry completely before storing or wearing. A hair dryer on cool setting can help reach tight areas.
Ultrasonic cleaners — use with caution
Ultrasonic cleaners work brilliantly for diamonds in secure settings, but can damage softer gemstones (emerald, opal, pearl, tanzanite) and loosen stones in older or delicate settings. When in doubt, bring it to us — your annual professional clean at Stara is free within the first year.
By material
Specific care for each material.
Diamonds
The hardest — but not invincible.
- Diamonds attract grease — oils from skin dull brilliance quickly
- Clean regularly; a clean diamond sparkles dramatically more
- Diamonds can chip if struck hard at certain angles
- Remove before boxing, heavy gym work, or rock climbing
- Safe with warm soapy water and a soft brush
Gold — 14K & 18K
Beautiful but reactive with chemicals.
- Chlorine is gold's biggest enemy — avoid pools and hot tubs
- Remove before applying bleach-based household cleaners
- Rose gold develops a warm patina over time — this is natural
- White gold may need rhodium re-plating every 1–2 years
- Safe with warm soapy water; avoid abrasive cloths
Yellow Gold
A classic, timeless choice.
- Yellow gold is a classic and popular choice for engagement and wedding rings.
- It is durable and long-lasting.
- Yellow gold can be polished and replated to maintain its shine.
Coloured Gemstones
Each stone has its own needs.
- Sapphires & rubies: very durable, safe with warm soapy water
- Emeralds: often have natural fractures — no ultrasonic cleaning
- Opals & pearls: very delicate — wipe with damp cloth only
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight — some stones fade over decades
- Always ask us about your specific stone's care requirements
Storage
How you store it matters as much as how you wear it.
The biggest cause of invisible damage to fine jewellery is improper storage — pieces knocking against each other, stones scratching metal, and chains tangling and straining their links. A little organisation goes a long way.
Separate compartments
Store each piece in its own compartment, pouch, or small zip-lock bag. Never leave pieces loose together — even diamonds scratch gold.
Cool, dry location
Avoid storing jewellery in bathrooms — humidity accelerates tarnishing. A bedroom drawer or dedicated jewellery box is ideal.
Away from sunlight
Extended direct sunlight can gradually fade certain coloured gemstones and discolour some metals. Store away from windowsills.
Travelling with your jewellery
When travelling, carry fine jewellery in your hand luggage — never checked bags. Use a dedicated travel jewellery roll or case with individual pouches. Consider leaving irreplaceable pieces at home. And make sure your piece is covered under your travel insurance policy before you depart.
Professional care
When to bring it back to us.
Even with perfect daily care, fine jewellery benefits from professional attention. A trained jeweller can spot issues you can't see — a prong beginning to wear thin, a stone slightly loosened, a link showing early fatigue — and address them before they become a problem.
As a Stara client, you receive one complimentary professional cleaning within your first year. We also recommend a prong and setting check every 12–18 months, regardless of where you go. And if something ever seems off — a stone looks looser, a clasp feels different — don't wait. Bring it in.
Remember: any repair or work carried out by a third party voids your Stara warranty and complimentary resizing benefit. If your piece needs attention, please contact us first. We're always here and always happy to help.