Caring for 22ct gold jewellery in Fiji and overseas

Your new 22ct bangles looked perfect at the wedding in Lautoka. Then you went to the beach the next morning, flew back to Auckland a week later and wore them through a cold winter. Gold handles all of this well, but a little care keeps it looking the way it did on the day you bought it.

This guide covers 22ct gold and diamond jewellery, wherever you wear it.

Rich and pure, so treat it kindly

22ct gold is 91.6% gold. That is what gives it the deep, rich colour many Fiji Indian families love. Treat it kindly and it will be worn for years, and often handed down. If you want to compare purities, our post on 22ct vs 18ct vs 14ct gold explains the differences.

Take it off for these activities

The easiest way to look after your jewellery is to take it off before anything rough or messy.

• Swimming. Sand and pool chlorine aren't kind to fine jewellery, and rings slip off easily when fingers are cold and wet.
• The gym and sport. Leave bangles and rings off while you lift and play.
• Gardening and yard work. Soil and grit are best kept away from your pieces.
• Cleaning the house. Bleach and household cleaners are best kept away from gold and stones.
• Cooking with your hands. Dough, oil and spices get into settings and chains.

Keep a small dish by the sink or bed so you always know where your pieces are.

Perfume and lotion go on first

Get ready in this order: lotion, sunscreen, perfume and hairspray first, let them dry, and put your jewellery on last. Creams and sprays leave a film that dulls gold and collects behind diamonds.

In Fiji's heat, people often use more sunscreen and insect repellent, so this matters even more on holiday.

Gentle cleaning at home

You don't need special products. For most gold pieces:

1. Fill a small bowl with warm water and a few drops of mild soap, such as gentle dishwashing liquid.
2. Soak the piece for a few minutes.
3. Clean it gently with a soft brush, such as a soft baby toothbrush, paying attention to links and patterned areas.
4. Rinse in clean water. Close the sink plug or use a bowl so nothing slips away.
5. Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Skip toothpaste, baking soda, rough cloths and harsh chemicals. Warm soapy water is all you need.

If a piece has soft stones or beads, enamel, coloured stones or glued parts, ask your jeweller before soaking it.

Diamond rings need extra attention

Diamonds attract oil and grease. Lotion, soap and natural skin oils build up behind the stone, and a diamond that looked bright in the shop can start to look cloudy.

When you clean a diamond ring, use the soft brush to clean behind and underneath the stone, where the grime collects. You will often be surprised how much brighter it looks afterwards.

If the setting ever feels loose, bring it in and we'll take a look.

From Fiji's humidity to dry winters overseas

If you live overseas, your jewellery probably spends time in two very different climates.

In Fiji, heat and humidity mean more sweat, sunscreen and sea air. Wipe your pieces with a soft cloth at the end of the day and clean them more often.

In cooler, drier places such as Melbourne, Christchurch or Toronto, fingers shrink in the cold, so take care when you pull off gloves. Thick jumpers and scarves can catch on claws and chains. Hand cream gets used more in winter, so remember the "lotion first" rule.

Storage: give each piece its own space

Storing pieces separately keeps them looking their best and stops chains tangling.

• Keep each piece in its own soft pouch or a separate compartment.
• Fasten chains before storing them so they don't tangle.
• Store bangles flat or upright so they hold their shape.
• Keep jewellery away from damp bathrooms in humid weather.

Travelling with your jewellery

Whether you are flying home from Nadi or travelling for a Fiji wedding:

• Always pack jewellery in your carry-on, never in checked luggage.
• Use a small travel case or individual pouches.
• Keep any diamond's Certificate of Authenticity safe at home, separate from the piece.
• If you are claiming the Tourist VAT Refund, remember that items generally have to be unused when you leave Fiji, so don't wear them before you fly. Check the rules first in our VAT refund guide.

Care and repairs at Shreeji Jewellers

Jewellery repairs are available in store, so if a clasp feels loose or a piece needs attention, bring it in and we'll tell you what's possible. For a ring that no longer fits comfortably, ask us whether it can be adjusted. If you have a question about caring for a piece you bought from us, ask at the counter or contact us.