A gold jewel is never just an accessory. Each PIAPARIS creation is designed to accompany everyday life, then to be passed on. Looking after your rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings calls for the right care. This guide covers gold jewellery care and explains how to look after yellow or white gold jewellery with the attention each piece deserves.
Yellow gold, white gold: two types of care, two simple approaches
Yellow gold and white gold do not call for the same care. The rule is simple to remember.
Yellow gold: a shine that develops a patina over time
Yellow gold needs no special treatment. Its tone develops a natural patina over the years, without ever losing character. A gentle, regular clean is enough to preserve its shine season after season, including on the Ophélie Ring.
White gold: a mirror-like shine kept up with rhodium plating
White gold is coated with a thin layer of rhodium, which gives it its mirror-like shine. This layer gradually fades with wear. Rhodium plating every three to five years is enough to restore its original shine.
What are the right steps to protect jewellery and set stones?
Beyond the colour of the gold, a few simple steps are enough to bring back a piece's shine and protect its setting over the long term.
The gentle soapy water clean
A bath of lukewarm water with a few drops of mild soap is enough to remove everyday residue. Leave the piece to soak for fifteen to thirty minutes, then gently brush with a soft-bristle brush, paying attention to any recesses. Rinse with clean water, then dry with a soft, lint-free cloth or a chamois. This simple step suits both yellow and white gold, and works for every creation, including fine-chain necklaces such as the Baby Ophélie Necklace.
Protecting the most detailed creations
Some pieces, set with more stones, need a little more attention. The Ophélie Ring, with the interlacing of stones that is the House's signature, tends to pick up marks a little faster than more understated designs. It remains, however, very simple to clean with the soapy water method, gently working into the gaps between the stones. The Alaïa Ring, with its more intricate shape and design, calls for the same care: a gentle brush between each stone is enough to bring back its full shine. For creations set with diamonds that are exclusively lab-grown, such as the Rivière Ring or the Elya Ring, the same approach applies: a careful brush beneath the setting, never pressed too hard, to let the light pass through each cut.
Knowing when to take your jewellery off
Rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings should be removed before certain everyday activities. Sport, showering, household chores and applying perfume or cream all expose gold and set stones to unnecessary wear. This simple habit considerably extends a piece's shine, whether it is a Maya Ring worn every day or a Couronne Necklace kept for special occasions.
A case for each piece, to withstand time without scratches
Gold is a precious metal, but also a soft one. Left loose, it scratches on contact with other jewellery. Each creation deserves its own case or individual pouch, away from direct light and humidity. This simple habit protects rings as much as necklaces, bracelets or earrings.
Trust in our House's expertise
Caring for a gold jewel is not a household chore. It is looking after a treasured memory, meant to be passed down through generations.
For a personalised assessment or advice, our Customer Care team is available at customercare@piaparis.com, with the same rigour applied on the day each piece was made.
To find out more, take a look at our related article: Pia's Guide: how to clean your gold jewellery.
