Cart
0
Dubai's climate is harder on jewellery than most people realise — heat, humidity, sunscreen, chlorine, and salt water all build up faster here than they do in cooler, drier climates. None of it causes real damage overnight, but a few minutes of care every so often keeps a piece looking the way it did on day one, for years rather than months.
The safe at-home clean
Warm water, a drop of mild soap, and a soft-bristled brush — an old, clean toothbrush works well — is enough for most 18K gold and diamond pieces. Gently work around the setting, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely with a soft cloth before putting it away. Damp storage is where tarnish and discolouration actually start, far more often than the cleaning itself.
This routine works well across our necklaces, bracelets and bangles, and rings — all 18K gold, so the same gentle approach applies regardless of which piece you're cleaning.
Why 18K specifically matters here
Gold purity affects how a piece handles everyday wear, not just its value — our 18K vs 22K vs 24K guide explains the difference in detail, but the short version is that 18K's added durability is also what makes it safe to clean at home with the method above, where a softer, higher-purity gold would need more caution.
What to skip, even if it's tempting
- Chlorinated pool water and sea water — both can dull gold's finish and, over time, weaken certain settings
- Direct contact with sunscreen, perfume, or lotion — apply these first, and put jewellery on after they've absorbed
- Leaving pieces in a hot car — the UAE sun through a windscreen gets hot enough to stress enamel and certain stone settings
- Household cleaning products, toothpaste, or anything abrasive, even on a "stubborn" mark — these are more likely to scratch than clean
- Ultrasonic cleaners at home for anything with enamel, pearl, or a loose-feeling stone — they're safe for solid gold but not for every setting
Storing it properly
Keep pieces separated — in individual pouches or a lined box with dividers — so they're not rubbing against each other, which is one of the most common causes of fine scratching, especially between diamond pieces. A bathroom cabinet is usually the worst place to store jewellery, since humidity there is consistently higher than in a bedroom drawer, and humidity is what accelerates tarnish.
A simple seasonal habit
Rather than cleaning everything at once, a short check every couple of months — a quick look over each piece, a clean for anything that needs it — catches small issues early and takes less time overall than one big annual clean. It also doubles as a natural moment to confirm nothing's come loose.
When to bring it in instead
A loose-feeling stone, a piece with enamel detailing, or anything with heavy pavé settings is worth having professionally checked rather than cleaned at home — what looks like a smudge can sometimes be a setting that's started to loosen, and it's easier to catch early than after a stone is lost.
Ready to see it in person?
Explore the full Rings, Earrings, and Necklaces collections, every piece handcrafted in 18K gold with certified diamonds. Free UAE shipping, split payments with Tabby and Tamara, complimentary lifetime care, and a portion of every Soul Initiative piece given back — message us on WhatsApp if you'd like help choosing.
