Sunday Letters jewelry care

Keep the meaning bright.

A beautiful piece lasts longer when it is treated gently. This guide keeps everyday jewelry fresh and comfortable without complicated rituals.

Start with the 30-second routine

Gold-tone jewelry resting on a soft cloth beside a care brush, water bowl, and jewelry pouch

The everyday rule

Thirty seconds after wearing is better than a rescue clean later.

Most dulling comes from moisture, sweat, cosmetics, sunscreen, perfume, chlorine, salt, and pieces rubbing together. The goal is simple: keep jewelry clean, dry, and separate.

Last on, first off

Put jewelry on after lotion, perfume, sunscreen, and hairspray. Take it off before sleep, workouts, cleaning, showering, pools, hot tubs, and the ocean.

Wipe after wear

Use a soft dry cloth to remove skin oils, sweat, makeup, and product residue before the piece goes back in its pouch.

Store separately

Close clasps, lay chains flat, and keep each piece in its own pouch or compartment so finishes do not rub and chains do not tangle.

Hands gently wiping a gold necklace with a soft polishing cloth

The soft wipe

A calm wipe after wearing keeps shine from fading into a later rescue.

Skin oils, lotion, and perfume leave a quiet film. One soft cloth pass before the pouch is the easiest habit that protects plating, stones, and clasps.

Care by material

Match the care to the piece.

When in doubt, choose the gentlest method: a soft cloth, minimal moisture, no harsh chemicals, and complete drying before storage.

Gold-plated and gold-tone pieces

Clean: Wipe with a soft dry microfiber cloth. For buildup, use a barely damp cloth, then dry completely right away.
Avoid: Avoid jewelry dips, polishing pastes, baking soda, toothpaste, alcohol, bleach, chlorine, salt water, and repeated friction.

Sterling silver

Clean: Polish gently with a silver polishing cloth. If needed, use lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap, rinse carefully, and dry fully.
Avoid: Humidity and chemicals speed tarnish. Keep silver away from chlorine, bleach, rubber, and damp bathrooms.

Stainless steel

Clean: Wash gently with lukewarm water and mild soap when needed. Rinse well and dry with a lint-free cloth.
Avoid: Do not soak with pearls, glued stones, enamel, or plated details. Avoid abrasive pads that can scratch the finish.

Pearls, shells, opals, and soft stones

Clean: Wipe with a soft slightly damp cloth after wearing. Let the piece air-dry flat before storing.
Avoid: Avoid soaking, ultrasonic cleaners, steam, perfume, sunscreen, harsh soaps, and sealed plastic storage for long periods.

Crystals and glass stones

Clean: Use a dry lint-free cloth. For settings, clean around the stone with a soft dry brush.
Avoid: Avoid soaking and hard scrubbing, especially when stones are set with adhesive or delicate prongs.

The no list

A few things are never worth the risk.

Many internet cleaning tricks work on one material and damage another. Sunday Letters care stays conservative so stones, plating, and delicate finishes are protected.

Do not clean plated jewelry with toothpaste, baking soda, vinegar, alcohol, or abrasive cloths.
Do not wear rings while lifting weights, gardening, moving furniture, or using tools.
Do not store tangled necklaces loose in a bag. Clasp them first and keep each chain separate.
Do not put pearls, opals, shell, enamel, glued stones, or plated pieces in ultrasonic cleaners.

Jewelry pouches and a travel case with clasped gold chains packed separately — Own pouch. Clasped chain. Dry before packing. That is the whole storage ritual.

Storage and travel

Separate, dry, clasped, and easy to find.

Good storage prevents scratches, bends, broken chains, missing earrings, and tarnish. It also makes the next wear feel like opening the gift again.

Before packing

Wipe each piece dry and fasten every clasp.

In the bag

Use individual pouches or small zip bags for chains, leaving the clasp just outside the seal to help prevent knots.

At arrival

Keep jewelry out of humid bathrooms and away from perfume trays, sunscreen, and makeup spills.

The pieces

How do I know what a piece is made of?

The product page is the source of truth for each piece. Review its material, finish, dimensions, included parts, care guidance, and price there. We do not describe jewelry as precious metal or an investment unless the product page expressly supports that claim.

Is your jewelry made for everyday wear?

Some pieces are suited to regular wear, while plated finishes, pearls, opals, glued stones, and other delicate details need more protection. Follow the care notes on the product page, keep jewelry dry when possible, and remove it for sleep, exercise, showering, swimming, cleaning, and heavy work.

Care & wear

What is the safest way to care for my jewelry?

Wipe the piece gently with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth after wearing. Store it dry, clasped, and separately in a pouch or compartment. Avoid perfume, lotion, sunscreen, hairspray, chlorine, salt water, bleach, abrasive cleaners, and prolonged moisture. When the material is uncertain, use the gentlest method and contact support before trying a stronger cleaner.

Can I shower, swim, or work out in my jewelry?

We recommend removing jewelry first. Water, sweat, chlorine, salt, friction, and cosmetics can dull finishes, accelerate tarnish, loosen settings, and affect delicate stones or plating. Dry the piece completely before putting it away.

What should I do if my jewelry changes color or looks dull?

Start with a soft, dry cloth and review the care guidance for that specific material. Skin oils, cosmetics, moisture, chemicals, and normal wear can affect the appearance of jewelry, especially plated finishes. If gentle cleaning does not help, or if a stone, clasp, or finish seems faulty, contact support with a photo before using a polishing product.

Returns

What is your return policy?

You may request a return for an unused, unworn, and undamaged nonpersonalized item within 30 days after delivery. The item must include its original packaging and included parts. Contact support first with your order number and wait for return instructions before mailing anything.

What if my order arrives damaged, incorrect, or defective?

Contact us within 7 days after delivery with your order number and clear photos of the item and packaging. We will review the issue and, when appropriate, arrange a replacement or refund without charging you for the correction. Please keep the item and packaging until support tells you what to do next.

Not sure what your piece needs?

Send us a photo before trying a stronger cleaner.

If a clasp feels loose, a stone shifts, plating looks uneven, or a piece arrived as a gift without care notes, support can help you choose the safest next step.

Email support