Jewelry Care

FERROUS LAB CARE FILE

JEWELRY CARE

FERROUS LAB pieces are built for daily styling, movement, and structure. Proper care helps preserve the finish, surface, plating, and overall shape of your jewelry and accessories.

Core Rule

Keep your jewelry dry, clean, and stored separately when not in use. Avoid chemicals, heavy moisture, perfume, lotion, sweat buildup, friction, and harsh environments whenever possible.

01 / General Care

General Care Rules

Jewelry and metal accessories can last longer when protected from chemicals, moisture, pressure, and repeated friction. Make care part of your routine, especially for plated or handmade pieces.

Before Wearing

  • Apply perfume, lotion, sunscreen, hairspray, or skincare before putting on jewelry.
  • Let products fully dry before wearing plated or pearl pieces.
  • Check clasps, hooks, rings, and chain connections before leaving home.
  • Avoid wearing jewelry during heavy workouts, swimming, showering, or sleeping.

After Wearing

  • Wipe the piece gently with a soft dry cloth.
  • Remove sweat, fingerprints, dust, and residue before storing.
  • Let the piece fully dry before placing it into a pouch or box.
  • Store pieces separately to avoid scratching, tangling, or rubbing.

Avoid Contact With

Risk Examples Why It Matters
Chemicals Perfume, lotion, sunscreen, hairspray, alcohol, cleaning products, hand sanitizer May dull, discolor, or wear down plating and finishes.
Moisture Water, sweat, rain, steam, shower, pool, ocean, hot spring Can affect plating, pearls, stones, and certain metal finishes over time.
Friction Rubbing against bags, denim, metal hardware, keys, rough fabric Can scratch surfaces or gradually wear down plated layers.
Pressure Sleeping, bending, pulling, dropping, storing under heavy items Can bend chains, loosen components, or damage handmade details.
02 / Materials

Material Care Guide

Different materials need different levels of care. Use the notes below based on the material listed on each product page.

Brass

Plated jewelry refers to a layer of precious metal, such as gold or rhodium, applied to the surface of a base metal. At FERROUS LAB, we only use genuine precious metals for all of our platings.

Whether it is gold, silver, or rhodium plating, each layer is carefully applied to support lasting beauty. Our plating is designed to be durable, but it is important to avoid contact with chemicals, moisture, and harsh environments.

If your jewelry comes into contact with water, gently dry it with a soft cloth or tissue to help keep it in its best condition.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel plated jewelry combines the strength and durability of stainless steel with a layer of genuine precious metal for added beauty. At FERROUS LAB, we use only precious metals such as gold or rhodium for our platings.

Stainless steel is waterproof and naturally tarnish-resistant, making it ideal for everyday wear. However, to maintain the luster of the precious metal plating, we still recommend avoiding harsh chemicals and excessive moisture.

If your jewelry comes into contact with water or chemicals, wipe it dry with a soft cloth to preserve its appearance.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver plated jewelry combines the timeless elegance of sterling silver with a layer of genuine precious metal, such as gold or rhodium. At FERROUS LAB, we exclusively use precious metals for our plating to ensure a high-quality finish.

While sterling silver is itself a precious metal, the plating adds an extra layer of protection and beauty. To keep your jewelry looking its best, avoid exposure to harsh chemicals and moisture, as these can wear down the plating over time.

If your jewelry comes into contact with water, dry it with a soft cloth or tissue to maintain its luster and help prevent tarnishing.

Freshwater Pearl

Freshwater pearls are organic and more delicate than metal components. Avoid contact with chemicals such as perfume, hairspray, lotion, sunscreen, alcohol, or cleaning products.

Wipe pearls gently with a soft cloth after each wear and store them separately in a soft pouch to prevent scratches.

Keep pearls away from heat, water, sweat, and abrasive materials. Do not use polishing cloths, ultrasonic cleaners, or harsh jewelry cleaners on pearls.

Plated Finish Notice

Plating is a surface finish and can naturally change over time depending on wear, storage, skin chemistry, humidity, friction, and exposure to chemicals or moisture. This is normal wear and not considered a manufacturing defect.

To extend the life of plated jewelry, wipe it after each wear, avoid harsh environments, and store it separately in a dry place.

Skin Chemistry Notice

Everyone’s skin chemistry is different. Natural oils, sweat, skincare products, humidity, and frequency of wear can all affect how quickly a plated finish, silver surface, or metal component changes over time.

This natural surface change may appear as dullness, darkening, fading, or slight discoloration and is usually related to wear conditions rather than a product defect.

03 / Watches

Stainless Steel Watch Care

Watches should be treated like jewelry. Even durable materials benefit from proper cleaning, storage, and handling.

Daily Watch Care

To best protect your watch, be mindful when spraying perfume, hairspray, sunscreen, or other products nearby. These substances may affect the finish, surface, or strap over time.

A jewelry polishing cloth can be used gently to polish the watch and remove fingerprints. Avoid abrasive cloths, harsh cleaners, and soaking.

Watch Handling Tips

  • Do not sleep with your watch if it may be pressed, pulled, or scratched.
  • Avoid direct contact with perfume, lotion, alcohol, and cleaning products.
  • Wipe fingerprints and sweat after wear.
  • Store separately from sharp objects, keys, and other metal accessories.
04 / Storage

Storage Guide

Proper storage helps prevent scratches, tangling, moisture buildup, and unnecessary surface wear.

Best Storage Practice

  • Store each piece separately in a pouch, box, or soft-lined compartment.
  • Keep jewelry in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity.
  • Do not store wet or damp jewelry in a sealed pouch.
  • Keep chains unclasped only when necessary; otherwise, clasp them to reduce tangling.

For Chains & Accessories

  • Store necklaces flat or hanging to reduce knots.
  • Keep pant chains and bag charms away from keys or sharp metal objects.
  • Avoid placing heavy items on top of chains or delicate components.
  • Separate pearls from metal pieces to prevent surface scratches.
05 / Cleaning

Cleaning Steps

Clean gently and avoid over-cleaning. Most pieces only need a soft dry cloth after wear.

Standard Cleaning

  1. Use a soft, dry, non-abrasive cloth.
  2. Wipe the surface gently to remove sweat, oils, fingerprints, or dust.
  3. If the piece touched water, dry it fully before storage.
  4. Store separately in a dry pouch or box.

Do Not Use

  • Bleach, alcohol, or household cleaners
  • Toothpaste or baking soda paste
  • Ultrasonic cleaners
  • Hard brushes or abrasive cloths
  • Jewelry dips unless specifically recommended for that material

Do Not Polish Plated Pieces Too Hard

Polishing plated jewelry too aggressively may wear down the surface layer faster. Use light pressure only, and avoid repeated heavy rubbing in the same area.

If a piece needs more than a gentle dry wipe, contact us before using any cleaning solution.

Quick Care Summary

Piece Type Care Level Main Advice
Plated Brass Higher care Avoid moisture, chemicals, sweat buildup, and friction. Wipe after wear.
Plated Stainless Steel Medium care Durable base, but protect plating from chemicals and repeated friction.
Sterling Silver / Plated Silver Medium to higher care Keep dry, wipe after wear, and store separately to reduce tarnish and scratches.
Freshwater Pearls High care Avoid water, heat, perfume, hairspray, and abrasive materials.
Watches Medium care Wipe fingerprints and sweat. Avoid harsh cleaners, perfume, and heavy impact.
06 / Special Notes

Special Care Notes

Certain environments can shorten the life of plated finishes, pearls, and delicate handmade components. Remove jewelry before entering these situations whenever possible.

High-Risk Environments

  • Ocean water, swimming pools, hot springs, saunas, and steam rooms
  • Heavy sweating during workouts or outdoor heat
  • Direct contact with perfume, lotion, sunscreen, hairspray, alcohol, or hand sanitizer
  • Long-term storage in humid bathrooms or sealed plastic bags while damp

Not Considered Product Defects

  • Natural oxidation or tarnishing over time
  • Plating wear from repeated friction or heavy use
  • Color changes caused by sweat, chemicals, skincare, or improper storage
  • Small handmade variations in finish, texture, shape, or measurement

Not Sure How to Care for a Piece?

Send us the product name or order number, and we can help you understand the best care method for that specific material or finish.

Contact The Lab
01
Keep Dry
02
Wipe After Wear
03
Store Separately