Gift Guide
How to Clean Costume Jewelry the Right Way
On This Page
Jewelry care
Costume jewelry needs a gentler touch than fine jewelry.
Fashion and costume pieces are built differently from solid gold or sterling silver — a base metal core, a plated finish, and often glued-in stones instead of prong-set ones. That means the usual soap-and-water routine can do more harm than good. Here's what actually works.
Use this guide alongside the general Jewelry Care Guide for solid gold and sterling silver pieces — costume and fashion jewelry needs a different approach, covered here.
Quick Answer: How Do You Clean Costume Jewelry?
Wipe costume jewelry with a dry or barely-damp soft cloth instead of soaking it in water. Avoid soap, harsh cleaners, and ultrasonic cleaners entirely — the plating and any glued-in stones common in costume pieces can react badly to moisture and chemicals that solid gold or silver would tolerate fine.
Key Takeaways
- Costume jewelry is typically a base metal (like brass or alloy) with a thin plated finish, not a solid precious metal — treat the surface with more caution.
- Never soak costume jewelry — many stones are glued in, not prong-set, and water can loosen the adhesive over time.
- Skip ultrasonic cleaners entirely for costume pieces; they're one of the fastest ways to damage plating and glued settings.
- Plating wears down with contact, not just time — the less it touches skin, water, and fabric, the longer it lasts.
The Safe Cleaning Method
- Start dry. A soft, lint-free cloth (like a microfiber cloth) removes most everyday oils and light residue without introducing any moisture at all.
- If more is needed, barely dampen the cloth. A cloth that's damp, not wet, is usually enough for a deeper clean — avoid direct contact with running water or submerging the piece.
- Work gently around stones. Glued-in stones are more vulnerable at the edges where they meet the setting — avoid pressing or scrubbing directly on or around them.
- Dry immediately if any moisture was used, with a separate dry cloth, before storing.
What to Avoid
- Soaking of any kind — even brief soaking can loosen glued stones or accelerate plating wear in ways that aren't always immediately visible.
- Ultrasonic and steam cleaners — these are designed for solid precious metals and can strip plating or shake loose glued settings.
- Household chemical cleaners, including many jewelry-specific dips made for gold or silver — these can be too harsh for a plated finish.
- Perfume, lotion, and hairspray contact — put costume jewelry on last, after these products have dried, since plating wears faster with repeated chemical contact than solid metal does.
- Water exposure generally — showering, swimming, and washing hands while wearing costume pieces speeds up plating wear more than it does with fine jewelry.
Making the Plating Last Longer
Plating is a thin layer, and while nothing keeps it looking brand-new forever with regular wear, a few habits make a real difference:
- Take it off for physical activity — exercise, cleaning, and swimming all expose plating to more friction and chemical contact than everyday wear.
- Store pieces separately, not tangled together with other jewelry, since metal-on-metal contact in a drawer or dish causes surface scratches that wear through plating faster.
- Keep pieces dry when not worn — a closed box or pouch protects plating from ambient moisture better than an open dish.
Shop Ready-to-Order Jewelry
Related Guides
- Jewelry Care Guide (Gold & Silver)
- Pearl Jewelry Care Guide
- What Does 925 Mean on Jewelry?
- What Is Gold Vermeil?
- How to Clean Tarnished Jewelry
- Shop All Jewelry
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all costume jewelry plated?
Most is, though the base metal and plating type vary by piece. Check the specific product page for material details rather than assuming from the look or price alone.
Can I use a jewelry cleaning cloth made for silver on costume jewelry?
A plain soft polishing cloth is generally fine, but cloths pre-treated with cleaning chemicals meant for solid silver can be too harsh for a plated finish — a dry or barely-damp plain cloth is the safer default.
Why does costume jewelry tarnish or fade faster than fine jewelry?
Plating is a thin surface layer rather than solid metal all the way through, so everyday contact with skin, water, and fabric wears through it faster than it would wear a solid gold or silver piece.
What should I do if a stone feels loose?
Stop wearing the piece until it's checked, since continued wear can cause a loose stone to fall out entirely. A jeweler can often reset or re-glue a loose stone.
Looking for your next piece? Browse all ready-to-order jewelry, or see the Jewelry Care Guide for gold and silver pieces.
