How to care for your Universal Jewels piece

Real jewelry can last generations — if you take care of it. Here's how we recommend caring for each of our metals and stones.

Solid 10K and 14K Gold

Solid gold is durable but not indestructible. Treat it well and it lasts a lifetime.

  • Daily wear: Solid gold is fine for daily wear. The patina that develops over time is normal and adds character.
  • Cleaning: Soak in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap for 10 minutes. Brush gently with a soft baby toothbrush. Rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth.
  • Storage: Store in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box, separate from other pieces. Gold scratches gold.
  • When to take it off: Before showering with harsh soaps, swimming in chlorinated pools, applying perfume or lotion, or exercising heavily.

Sterling Silver (.925)

Sterling silver tarnishes naturally — this is oxidation, not damage. A polish cloth brings it back to bright.

  • Cleaning: Use a sterling silver polishing cloth (we recommend Sunshine cloths). Rub gently to restore shine.
  • Deep clean: Soak in warm water + mild soap for 5–10 minutes, brush gently, rinse, dry completely.
  • Storage: Anti-tarnish bags or pouches slow oxidation. Avoid humid bathrooms.
  • Avoid: Chlorine, salt water, sulfur-based hot springs, harsh chemicals like bleach.

Gold-Plated Sterling Silver

Gold-plated pieces have a sterling silver core with a thin layer of gold on the surface. The plating is more delicate than solid gold.

  • Pat clean with a soft dry cloth. Do not scrub.
  • Avoid water exposure when possible — showers, pools, ocean, sweat.
  • Apply perfume and lotion before putting jewelry on, not after.
  • With normal care, plating lasts years. With heavy water exposure, it wears faster.

Cubic Zirconia, Diamonds, and Stones

Stones get filmy from soap, lotion, and skin oils. A regular clean restores their sparkle.

  • Warm water + mild soap, soft toothbrush, rinse, dry on a lint-free cloth.
  • Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for pearls, opals, turquoise, and any porous stones.
  • Have prong settings checked once a year — loose prongs are how stones get lost.

Pearls

Pearls are the most delicate stone we sell. Treat them like silk.

  • Wipe with a soft damp cloth after each wear to remove skin oils.
  • Never submerge in water or use chemical cleaners.
  • Store flat in a soft pouch — pearl strands can stretch if hung vertically.
  • Apply perfume, hairspray, and lotion before pearls — the acids dull the nacre.

Engravable pieces

If you ordered an engravable piece (ID bracelet, dog tag, cross), do not engrave it yourself. We recommend a local professional jeweler with experience on the specific metal. The engraving is permanent and not eligible for return once done.

When to come back to us

Lost a stone. Clasp broke. Chain snapped. Email us at support@universaljewelsinc.com with a photo and your order number. Many repairs we can handle. Some need a local jeweler. We will tell you honestly which it is.

Universal Jewels. Family-owned since 2014. Real jewelry, made to last.