# Caring for your Awe jewelry > Your Awe pieces are made to last and a little regular care keeps them looking their best This guide covers everyday habits cleaning at home care for each me Source: https://aweinspired.kustomer.help/en_us/caring-for-your-awe-jewelry-S1M_tu4_fg Last updated: 2026-09-01T16:18:33.154Z Your Awe pieces are made to last, and a little regular care keeps them looking their best. This guide covers everyday habits, cleaning at home, care for each metal, gemstone care, and storage. ## Everyday care * Put jewelry on last, after lotion, perfume, sunscreen, and hairspray have dried. * Take it off before showering, swimming, working out, and sleeping. * Wipe each piece with the included cloth after wearing. * Store pieces dry and separate from one another. ## Cleaning at home For most metal pieces, use lukewarm water with a drop of mild dish soap, lift dirt from the details with a soft brush, rinse, and dry right away with a soft cloth. Avoid toothpaste, baking soda, and abrasive or ultrasonic cleaners. If your piece has gemstones, check the gemstone section first. ## Care by metal ### 14k Gold Vermeil _A thick layer of 14k gold over solid sterling silver._ * **Everyday:** Put it on after lotion, perfume, and sunscreen have dried. Take it off before showers, pools, hot tubs, and workouts. * **Cleaning:** Wipe with the included soft cloth after wearing. For grime, use a cloth dampened with lukewarm water and a drop of mild soap, then dry right away. * **Avoid:** Do not soak vermeil or run it under heavy water, and skip toothpaste, baking soda, ultrasonic or steam cleaners, and chemical dips, which strip the gold. * **Storage:** Store dry and separate; an anti-tarnish pouch helps the silver base. * **Good to know:** Some softening of the gold tone after years of wear is normal. A jeweler can re-plate vermeil if the finish wears through. ### Sterling Silver _Solid .925 sterling silver, not plated._ * **Everyday:** Made for regular wear, and wearing it often actually slows tarnish. Remove it for chlorine, salt water, and harsh chemicals. * **Cleaning:** Use mild soap, warm water, and a soft brush; rinse and dry. Wipe with the included cloth between cleanings. * **Storage:** Store dry with an anti-tarnish strip and low air exposure. * **Good to know:** Tarnish is normal and cleans off. On styles with intentional darkened detailing, the finish sits in the recessed areas, so regular cleaning will not lift it. ### 14k Solid Gold _Solid gold throughout, our most durable material._ * **Everyday:** It will not tarnish or fade and handles daily wear. Still remove it for heavy impact and harsh chemicals to avoid scratches and protect any stones. * **Cleaning:** Warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush; rinse and dry. * **Storage:** Store separately so harder pieces do not scratch it. * **Good to know:** Light surface scratches are normal with wear and can be professionally polished. ## Gemstones, pearls & delicate stones Match care to the stone. Harder stones can be cleaned with mild soap, lukewarm water, and a soft brush, then dried. Softer and porous stones, like opal, turquoise, moonstone, and pearl, should only be wiped with a soft, barely damp cloth, never soaked, and kept away from perfume, lotion, and heat. * Put gemstone pieces on after cosmetics. * Never submerge pearls, opals, turquoise, or emeralds; wipe them clean instead. * Check settings now and then so stones stay secure, and stop wearing a piece if a stone feels loose. * Store stones separately so harder pieces do not scratch softer ones. * Carved or thin stones chip more easily, so remove them for anything with impact. ## Storage * Store each piece separately in a dry, well-ventilated space to prevent scratches. * Use a pouch or lined box, and add an anti-tarnish strip for silver and vermeil. * Keep pieces out of humid rooms like bathrooms, since damp is the main cause of tarnish. ## What is normal over time Sterling silver tarnishes naturally, which is a surface reaction to air and skin chemistry rather than a defect, and it cleans off. Gold vermeil can soften in tone after years of wear, and a jeweler can replate it. Light surface scratches on solid gold are normal and can be polished. For anything that looks like a manufacturing issue, [contact our care team](https://www.claudeusercontent.com/[care-team%20link]).  ## Think it's a quality issue? If you've followed the care above and believe your piece has a manufacturing defect, we can help. Orders placed on or after March 23, 2026, carry a lifetime warranty from the date of purchase; orders placed before that date carry a 2-year warranty from the date of purchase. The warranty covers manufacturing defects, such as a clasp that fails from faulty construction, a stone that was not set correctly, a soldering fault, or plating that peels or flakes due to a manufacturing issue. It does not cover normal wear and tear (scratches, dents, natural tarnish, or plating that fades or wears with use over time), accidental damage (bending, pulling, dropping, or impact), or damage from improper care or exposure to water, perfume, lotion, and chemicals. Lost or stolen pieces and repairs made by a third party are also not covered. If your piece has a manufacturing defect, we'll make it right—submit a warranty claim [here](https://claims.aweinspired.com/start) with your order number and clear photos.