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Because of its more fragile veneer, this kind of jewellery requires special care.
Avoid:
Gold does not oxidize and copper plating is varnished to avoid leaving green marks on the skin.
Silver-plated costume jewellery may need to be cleaned because the plating will tarnish just like solid silver jewellery.
Quick cleaning (2 or 3 seconds) in a liquid for silver, followed by a full rinse in clean water and total drying is possible, but not recommended.Such cleaning must be done as quickly, but as rarely, as possible. A piece of metal costume-jewellery or one decorated with stones reacts poorly to contact with liquid. Swarovski crystal stands up very well to such treatment, but the glue holding the stones gets soft. This method should be avoided for jewellery decorated with freshwater pearls, mother-of-pearl and natural stones.
It is better to clean the jewellery infrequently but to wear it and store it properly (see the section on 925 silver jewellery).
These tips are intended to help you avoid having your jewellery wear out prematurely. The lifespan of costume jewellery depends on how it is used and maintained.
People with acidic skin should avoid costume jewellery. Instead, they should choose indestructible jewellery in gold, silver, titanium or other materials. Sterling silver jewellery is another option, but it tends to tarnish on contact with acidic skin and often needs cleaning. |
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Costume jewellery is made with a pewter base, which is sometimes pure but often alloyed with other metals, and plated with a fine 22- or 24-carat-gold layer, or a layer of silver, copper, rhodium or other metal, 1 or 2 microns thick.
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