How to Clean & Care for 925 Silver Jewellery

At ESMA, every piece is born from 92.5 sterling silver and finished with 22-karat gold plating — metals that carry the warmth of hands, coastlines, and centuries of craft. That gold layer is a surface finish, so it rewards a gentle hand. This guide shows you how to clean your gold-plated silver jewellery at home, keep it bright, and store each piece so it stays as luminous as the day it left our workshop.

First, a reassurance: if your jewellery ever darkens, nothing has gone wrong. Beneath the gold lies genuine 92.5 sterling silver, and real silver reacts gently with the world around it. Any dullness is a surface change, not damage, and it is almost always reversible.

Why gold-plated silver darkens

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver blended with 7.5% other metals — usually copper — for strength. Left bare, that copper reacts with sulphur compounds in the air and on the skin, which is why silver turns dark over time, faster in humid Indian summers and monsoon months. The 22-karat gold plating on every ESMA piece sits over the silver like a protective veil, keeping it bright — and because any change is only ever on the surface, gentle care keeps both the gold and the silver beneath looking their best.

Everyday habits that keep your jewellery bright

The gentlest care is the kind that prevents dullness before it forms. A few simple rituals go a long way:

Last on, first off. Wear your jewellery after perfume, lotion, hairspray, and makeup have settled — and take it off before you shower, swim, or exercise. Chlorine, sweat, and cosmetics are the quiet adversaries of gold plating.
Wipe after wear. A soft, dry cloth passed over each piece before you put it away lifts the oils and residue that dull its glow.
Wear it often. Jewellery worn close to the skin stays livelier than pieces left forgotten in a drawer.
Keep it away from sulphur. Rubber, wool, and foods like onion, egg, and mustard accelerate tarnish, so set your pieces aside during household chores and cooking.

How to clean your gold-plated silver jewellery at home

Because every ESMA piece is finished in 22-karat gold plating, gentle is the only rule. Plating is a fine surface layer, so the softest touch is always the safest.

The polishing cloth. A soft silver-polishing cloth is all that light dullness needs. Rub gently along the length of the piece — never in circles — turning to a clean section of cloth as needed. This is the safest method for every kind of jewellery we make.

Avoid paper towels and tissues, which can scratch the plated surface, and steer clear of harsh chemical dips altogether — more on that just below.

About your gold plating

Every ESMA design carries a layer of 22-karat gold plating, and plating is a surface finish that deserves a gentle hand. Never use baking soda, toothpaste, silver dips, or foil-and-salt baths on gold-plated jewellery — these strip the very layer that gives the piece its warmth. A soft dry cloth is all your plated jewellery ever needs. Worn with care, the plating lasts beautifully; and should it ever fade, every ESMA piece is backed by a one-year free plating warranty, with re-plating available so your favourites can be renewed rather than retired. All our pieces can also be re-plated at a nominal fee after the one year warranty period.

Caring for oxidised and antique finishes

Some of our pieces wear an intentionally darkened, antique finish — the shadowed depth that makes temple and heritage designs so striking. Here, resist the urge to polish. Aggressive cleaning lifts away the very oxidisation that is meant to be there. A light wipe with a dry cloth to remove dust is all these finishes ask for.

Caring for kundan, stones, and pearls

Kundan settings, uncut stones, and pearls call for extra tenderness. Never soak stone-set or kundan jewellery — water can seep beneath the settings and loosen them over time. Instead, wipe gently around the stones with a soft, barely-damp cloth, then dry at once. Our kundan collection and pearl-set designs stay radiant for years with this small kindness.

How to store your jewellery

Where you keep your jewellery matters as much as how you clean it. Air and moisture are what dull silver and plating alike, so the aim is to keep both away:

Store each piece in an airtight pouch or a lined jewellery box, ideally with an anti-tarnish strip or a small sachet of silica gel.
Keep pieces separate so chains do not tangle and edges do not scratch — necklaces and chains especially.
Choose a cool, dry spot away from bathrooms and direct sunlight.
Never store your jewellery damp; a moment's drying prevents weeks of dullness.

A quick list of what to avoid

Baking soda, toothpaste, silver dips, and foil-and-salt baths — they strip gold plating.
Perfume, hairspray, and lotion applied while wearing your jewellery.
Chlorinated pools, saltwater, and hot springs.
Paper towels and tissues for polishing.
Soaking stone-set or kundan pieces, or storing anything damp or loose.

When to let us help

Some pieces deserve a professional's hands — a deep clean, a re-plating, a repair to a clasp or setting. If your ESMA jewellery ever needs renewing, bring it to our Experience Center in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, or reach out to our care team. Every piece is also protected by our one-year plating warranty and 50% lifetime exchange, because we believe fine jewellery should grow old gracefully with you — never be quietly retired.

Frequently asked questions

Why did my jewellery darken?

Beneath the gold plating, every ESMA piece is genuine 92.5 sterling silver, and silver reacts naturally with sulphur in the air and on the skin. As plating wears with time, that reaction can show through as a darker tone. It is harmless and reversible — gentle cleaning, and re-plating when needed, restore the shine.

Can I wear my jewellery in the shower or pool?

It is best not to. Soap residue, chlorine, and saltwater all wear down gold plating and dull the finish. Take your pieces off before bathing, swimming, or exercising.

Does 22k gold plating wear off?

Plating is a surface layer and softens gradually with wear, especially on rings and bangles that meet friction. Gentle care extends its life for years, and ESMA offers re-plating and a one-year plating warranty so your pieces can be renewed.

How often should I clean my jewellery?

A quick wipe with a soft cloth after each wear is enough for most pieces — or whenever the shine begins to fade — to keep everything luminous.