Care Guide

— Care Guide —

Make It Last

Five minutes of care = years of wear. Here's how to keep your MAEVA pieces looking new.

The Big Rule

Gold-plated jewelry is durable, but it's not indestructible. The plating wears slowly with daily friction — and faster with chemicals. Take it off before water, perfume, or workouts and a single piece will last 3–5+ years of regular wear.

✓ DO

  • Store flat in the included pouch or a soft cloth bag
  • Wipe gently with a dry soft cloth after wearing
  • Put it on after perfume, lotion, hairspray
  • Take it off before showering or swimming
  • Clean once a month with warm water + a drop of dish soap, dry immediately

✗ DON'T

  • Sleep in your jewelry — friction with bedding wears plating
  • Shower, swim, or work out in it (chlorine, salt, sweat)
  • Use jewelry cleaner, ammonia, or bleach
  • Toss pieces loose in a drawer (chains tangle, pearls scratch)
  • Wear lotion or perfume on top of pieces

Pearl-Specific Care

Freshwater pearls are organic and porous, which makes them slightly more delicate than the gold-plating around them. Two extra rules:

  • Never use ultrasonic cleaners — the vibration damages the pearl surface
  • Pearls need humidity — don't store in airtight bags long-term, they can dry out and crack

Common Questions

My piece tarnished — is it real?

Tarnish-resistant doesn't mean tarnish-proof. With heavy daily wear + exposure to perfume or sweat, even quality gold-plated pieces can dull over 12–18 months. A gentle warm-water cleaning usually brings the shine back. If it doesn't, email us.

Will the plating wear off?

Gold plating naturally wears down with daily friction over years — most common spots are clasps and the back of necklaces. With proper care, expect 3–5 years before noticeable wear on any piece you wear daily.

Can I wear my MAEVA in the pool?

Please don't. Chlorine and salt water both strip gold-plating fast. A single pool day can cut years off a piece's life.

What if my pearl breaks or my chain snaps?

Within 30 days of delivery — email us and we'll replace it free. After that, we offer a repair service at cost. Just email hello@maevajewelry.com with a photo.

Questions we didn't answer? We respond within 24 hours.

Contact Us