How to Clean & Care for Crystal Jewellery

Crystals are perfect for enhancing your look on a night out. They sparkle under the light, and immediately add glamour to any outfit. We regularly use crystals in our  jewellery and fashion pieces, and they feature in everything from our elegant drop earrings to our characterful brooches.

To ensure your crystals continue to gleam for years to come, it’s vital to look after them. Here’s some advice on protecting and maintaining your crystal jewellery.

Caring for your crystals – some basic rules

Each of our crystals are carefully cut and polished. While they’re durable and strong, they can still be damaged or scratched, and dirt can marк their aesthetic appeal over time. Follow the tips below to keep your crystals looking their best for years to come.

Storing your jewellery

When you’re not wearing your crystals, keep them in a soft pouch or padded box. This ensures that they won’t get scratched while in storage. If you’re moving them from one place to another (e.g., in your handbag) make sure they don’t come into contact with any hard items, as these could chip their surface.

Avoid chemicals

Chemicals can cause serious damage to crystals. We’re not just referring to harsh chemicals like bleach; even everyday products like hairspray or washing up liquid can erode the crystal’s surface over time. Remove your jewellery when you’re washing your hands, styling your hair, or applying beauty products.

It’s also a good idea to minimise exposure to water. We recommend taking the jewellery off if you’re having a bath or shower, or going swimming.

Be careful of hard knocks

Your crystals can withstand some impact, but might get scratched if they come into contact with something hard and sharp. It’s particularly common to accidentally damage them while you’re getting dressed. Buttons and zips can knock against their surface, so it’s a wise idea to remove all jewellery while you’re getting changed.

How to clean your crystal jewellery

To prolong the lifespan of your crystal jewellery, we recommend cleaning it regularly.

Light cleaning

You should give your crystals a light polish fairly regularly, to remove dust or dirt on the surface, and to maintain their shine. A soft, lint-free cloth is perfect for this task. Simply polish each crystal with a dry cloth, using a gentle circular action.

Thorough cleaning

If your crystal jewellery has stubborn marks that won’t shift, it might need a deeper clean. This can be done with a soft-bristle toothbrush and some soapy water. Bear in mind, you only need a tiny amount of soap, as using too much can damage your jewellery. Apply a delicate circular motion when cleaning, and rinse the soap off thoroughly afterwards.

Crystal cleaning – some rules

• Don’t use a sharp object to pick dirt from your jewellery, as this could scratch the surface of the crystal.
• When rinsing soap off your jewellery, put the plug in – or risk losing your jewellery down the plughole!
• Make sure your crystals are completely dry before putting them back in their box or pouch.

With regular care, crystal jewellery will look incredible for many years. Many of our brooches, earrings, necklaces and bracelets feature crystals, and we also have a range of crystal accessories, which you can view here.