Jewelry Care Guide
Overview
Most ATHENAIE pieces are 925 sterling silver with a platinum-plated finish, which is why they stay white and bright longer than untreated silver. They still need a little care — and Murano glass, enamel and pavé each need something slightly different. Here's what to do and what to avoid, material by material, plus how to store it all.
Care at a glance
| Material | After wearing | Deeper clean | Never |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling silver (platinum-plated) | Soft, dry cloth | Lukewarm water, a drop of mild soap, dry completely | Silver dip, toothpaste, baking soda, abrasive cloths |
| Murano glass | Damp lint-free cloth, dry straight away | Same — never soak | Sudden heat or cold, knocks, loose storage |
| Enamel | Soft damp cloth, dry immediately | Same | Alcohol, acetone, solvents, long direct sun |
| Rose gold-tone | Dry cloth only | Same | Abrasives, tight stacking, sleeping in it |
| Pavé & stone settings | Dry cloth | Soft toothbrush, mild soapy water, rinse, pat dry | Drops on hard floors, ultrasonic cleaners |
Sterling silver (platinum-plated)
Our 925 silver charms and bracelets are finished with a layer of platinum, the same treatment used on fine white-metal jewelry. It resists the yellowing untreated silver picks up, but it isn't a force field.
Do
- Wipe each piece with a soft, dry cloth after wearing.
- For a deeper clean: a few seconds in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap, then dry completely.
- Put jewelry on last — after perfume, lotion and hairspray. Take it off for workouts and chores.
Avoid
- Silver-dip solutions, toothpaste and baking soda.
- Polishing cloths treated with abrasives — they cut through plating, not just tarnish.
- Leaving soap film to dry between charms.
Murano glass
Each bead is hand-formed glass over a 925 sterling silver core. The core is unthreaded and mirror-polished, so it slides over the chain without catching and there's nowhere for grime to sit.
Do
- Clean with a damp, lint-free cloth and dry straight away.
- Give each bead its own slot so they don't knock against each other or against metal parts.
Avoid
- Sudden temperature changes — hot dishwater, a cold windowsill.
- Knocks against hard surfaces, and prolonged soaking.
- Storing beads loose in a bag or drawer.
Enamel
Do
- Wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth; dry immediately.
- Keep enamel away from sharp edges.
Avoid
- Alcohol, acetone and any solvent — they dull the surface.
- Long stretches of direct sun, which can fade some colors over time.
Rose gold-tone pieces
Some rose gold-tone pieces are plated over 925 silver; others are made from a solid copper-rich alloy, colored all the way through. Both like the same treatment.
Do
- A light wipe with a dry cloth is all they need.
- Take them off before bed — skin oils and sweat dull the finish over time.
Avoid
- Tight stacking with other metals — it scuffs plating.
- Abrasive creams and every abrasive listed above.
Pavé & stone settings
Many ATHENAIE designs carry micro-pavé settings. The stones are small and set close, so the rule is simple: gentle cleaning, no impact.
Do
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soapy water, rinse, pat dry.
- Check the settings now and then. If a stone feels loose, stop wearing the piece and write to us.
Avoid
- Drops onto tile or stone floors; sports and housework while wearing it.
- Ultrasonic cleaners.
Storage & gift-ready packaging
- Cool, dry, and out of direct sun. A closed box keeps air off silver.
- One slot per piece: silver, glass, plated and pavé pieces kept apart don't scratch each other.
- Anti-tarnish strips or a silica gel pack in the box take care of humidity.
- Putting a bracelet away for a season? Wipe it first — skin oils left on are what dull it while it sits.
Gifting tip: a starter set — bracelet plus three to five charms — in one box makes a complete gift.
Shop Bracelet Organizer BoxGift-ready details
Every ATHENAIE order ships in our signature gift packaging, so a charm or bracelet is ready to give as it arrives. The box is also the best place to keep it between wears.
Materials & craftsmanship
How we choose silver, form Murano glass and set stones across the collections: Our Materials & Craftsmanship
Questions we get asked
Does platinum-plated silver tarnish?
Far more slowly than untreated silver, and what does appear wipes off. Plating is thin, though, so abrasive cleaners are the one thing that shortens its life.
Can I shower or swim in my charm bracelet?
We'd take it off. Chlorine and salt water are hard on every metal, and soap film builds up between charms where a cloth can't reach.
How often should I clean it?
A dry wipe after wearing is usually enough. A soap-and-water clean every month or two if you wear it daily.
A charm looks duller than the others — is it faulty?
Usually it's been in contact with something — lotion, a second bracelet, a coin in a pocket. Try the soap-and-water clean first; if it doesn't come back, send us a photo.
Which size should I buy as a gift?
Charms fit any ATHENAIE bracelet, so they never need a size. For a bracelet, our size guide covers measuring and the safe pick when you can't.
Need advice on a specific piece?
Send a photo and tell us what happened — we'll tell you what to do next. Email support@athenaie.com.
Last updated: September 2026