HOW TO TAKE CARE
OF YOUR JEWELLERY
THE WARDROBEThere is a moment when a piece of jewellery stops being something you wear and becomes something that belongs to you. A necklace you put on without thinking. A ring that has been with you on every trip. Earrings that have quietly become part of how you present yourself to the world.
For your piece to last longer and be part of more moments in your life, it needs to be cared for. Most jewellery doesn't deteriorate from poor quality, it deteriorates from what it comes into contact with, day after day, without us noticing. Understanding what your pieces are made of, and what they need, is the simplest way to make them last.
1. What Sofia Godinho Pieces Are Made Of
Gold or Silver Plated Pieces
Most SG pieces are made from a worked metal base, shaped, textured and finished with gold or silver plating. This process gives each piece its colour and surface quality: the warm, matte gold or the cool, refined silver. These pieces are not made of solid gold or silver; they have a finish that, with the right care, retains its beauty over time.
Sterling Silver Pieces
Some pieces in the collection are made from sterling silver. Silver interacts with air and skin over time, which gives it depth. It can be polished and renewed, making it one of the most durable materials in jewellery when well cared for.
Stainless Steel with PVD Coating
The only water-resistant material in the collection. The PVD coating is applied at a molecular level, making it exceptionally durable. These pieces can accompany you to the beach, the pool, or through an entire day without concern.
Natural Stones, Freshwater Pearls and Mother of Pearl
Living materials, with natural variations in colour and texture that make each piece unique. They are sensitive to chemicals, heat and direct impact, and more beautiful for it.
"The true enemy of jewellery is not time, it is contact."
2. What Actually Damages Jewellery
The true enemy of jewellery is not time, it is contact. There are three factors that significantly reduce the durability of your pieces and that, in most cases, are completely avoidable.
Water
With the exception of stainless steel pieces, no Sofia Godinho piece should come into contact with water. This includes the sea, the pool, the shower and even washing your hands while wearing them. Chlorine, salt and moisture are particularly aggressive to metal finishes, accelerating oxidation in ways that are difficult to reverse.
Cosmetics and Perfume
Perfume, moisturiser, sunscreen, dry shampoo and hairspray all contain compounds that react with metal finishes. The rule is simple: jewellery goes on last, after your full routine, and comes off first, before any contact with products.
Skin pH
Every person has a different skin acidity. Some skin is naturally more acidic, which means it interacts with metals more quickly and more visibly. This is not a flaw in the piece or in the person wearing it — it is chemistry. The answer is not to stop wearing the piece, but to clean it more regularly and store it well.
3. The Essentials for Caring for Your Jewellery
Store Each Piece Separately
Contact between different metals accelerates oxidation. Keep each piece in its own pouch or compartment, away from others, from moisture and from direct light or heat. A closed drawer or jewellery box is the ideal place.
Last On, First Off
Put your jewellery on after your complete routine, including makeup, perfume, moisturiser and hairspray. Take it off before the shower, the gym, sleep. This single habit extends the life of a piece more than any other care.
Clean After Each Use
A soft, dry cloth after each wear removes the skin's oils, sweat and residue before they have time to affect the finish. For accumulated dirt, a slightly damp cloth followed by immediate and thorough drying is sufficient. Never use cleaning products, alcohol or abrasive materials.
Always Keep It Dry
If a piece gets wet, dry it immediately and completely with a soft cloth. Don't leave it to air dry, moisture is what allows oxidation to take hold.
Avoid Heat and Direct Light
Heat expands metals and degrades finishes over time. Keep pieces away from windowsills, bathroom surfaces and anywhere that warms up.
4. When the Piece Has Already Changed
If a piece has started to oxidise or lose its tone, early intervention still makes a difference. A jewellery polishing cloth can treat surface oxidation before it deepens. What cannot be reversed at home is a finish that is completely worn away. Most pieces reach that point far sooner than they should, not because of time or quality, but because of avoidable contact.
A well-cared-for piece doesn't just last longer. It holds its history better, the places it has been with you, the moments it was part of. Care for your jewellery the way you care for the moments you live.
