Jewellery Care Guide

Brava pieces are made to be worn often, not saved for special occasions. A little bit of care goes a long way in keeping them looking their best for years to come, here's everything you need to know.

Know Your Materials

Brava jewellery comes in two main types, and knowing which one you've got makes all the difference in how to look after it.

Gold-plated stainless steel

All of our anklets, most of our necklaces, and some of our bracelets and earrings are made from 18K gold-plated stainless steel. It's waterproof, more durable and tarnish-resistant than older-style gold-plated jewellery, and genuinely fine for everyday wear.

Sterling silver (with or without gold plating)

Some of our pieces are made from 925 sterling silver, either left silver or finished with a 14K gold plating on top. Sterling silver is a beautiful, hypoallergenic material and it's water-resistant, but it naturally tarnishes over time with exposure to air. This is completely normal, not a fault, and it can be polished away.

Not sure which one your piece is? You'll find the material listed under the product description on its page.

Everyday Care

A few simple habits will keep any Brava piece looking its best for longer:

• Stainless steel pieces: you can wear them in the shower, pool, or ocean. Rinse with fresh water after swimming and pat dry
• Sterling silver pieces: take them off before showering, swimming, or exercising. A little splash is fine, but keep them out of prolonged contact with water
• Avoid direct contact with perfume, lotion, hairspray, and hand sanitiser, these products are one of the most common causes of premature wear on plated jewellery
• Put your jewellery on last, after you've finished getting ready, and take it off first when you get home
• Store pieces in a pouch, box, or jewellery organiser, away from direct sunlight and heat, rather than left out on a windowsill or dish
• Give your pieces an occasional wipe with a soft, dry cloth to keep them looking fresh

Keeping Tarnish at Bay (Sterling Silver Pieces)

If you've got a sterling silver piece, a little tarnish over time is completely normal, silver reacts naturally to the air, it's not a sign anything's gone wrong.

• Store sterling silver pieces in an airtight pouch or box when not in use, this is the single best way to slow tarnishing down
• If tarnish does appear, a gentle buff with a silver polishing cloth will usually bring the shine straight back
• Avoid chlorine, saltwater, and household cleaning products, these can speed up tarnishing significantly

Adjusting Your Jewellery

A few of our pieces are designed to be adjusted at home:

• Adjustable bracelets (like Romy) slide along the chain, gently pull the sliding bead to loosen or tighten it to your wrist
• Loose or stiff earring backs are totally normal, a gentle wiggle or squeeze usually sorts it right out
• Extendable chains (on most of our necklaces, bracelets and anklets) give you a few centimetres of adjustment, simply choose the clasp loop that sits most comfortably

If something still doesn't feel right after adjusting it yourself, get in touch, we're happy to help.