Caring for your Dashing Creation piece
Every necklace, bangle and keychain we make is engraved by hand and worn close to your story. Here's how to keep it looking the way it did the day it arrived.
Know what you're wearing
Our pieces are made from a few different materials, and each one asks for something slightly different.
Gold vermeil & gold-plated pieces
Most of our necklaces, bangles and bracelets are gold-plated over sterling silver or brass. The plating is durable but thin, so perfume, lotion and chlorine will wear it down faster than daily wear alone. Spray fragrance before you put your jewelry on, never after.
Engraved & custom name pieces
The engraving is what makes your piece one of a kind, so it's worth protecting. Avoid rubbing engraved surfaces with abrasive cloths or brushes, and keep them away from harsh soaps that can dull the fine detail of the lettering over time.
Engraved & custom name pieces
The engraving is what makes your piece one of a kind, so it's worth protecting. Avoid rubbing engraved surfaces with abrasive cloths or brushes, and keep them away from harsh soaps that can dull the fine detail of the lettering over time.
Engraved & custom name pieces
The engraving is what makes your piece one of a kind, so it's worth protecting. Avoid rubbing engraved surfaces with abrasive cloths or brushes, and keep them away from harsh soaps that can dull the fine detail of the lettering over time.
Storing pieces between wears
The box your order arrived in is built for this — but if you've moved it elsewhere, these three habits matter most.
One piece, one pouch
Store each necklace or bracelet separately in its own soft pouch or compartment. Gold chains left tangled together will scratch one another.
Last on, first off
Put jewelry on after getting dressed and doing your hair, and take it off before bed, exercise or housework. It's the single habit that extends plating the most.
Cool, dry, dark
Keep pieces away from windowsills, bathroom counters and radiators. Humidity and direct light both speed up tarnishing.
Daily habits that make the difference
None of this is complicated — it's mostly about the order you do things in.
Worth doing
- Wipe your piece with a soft, dry cloth after each wear to remove oils and residue
- Take rings and bangles off before washing dishes or applying hand cream
- Let your jewelry be the last thing you put on when getting ready
- Dry pieces fully with a soft cloth if they get damp
- Check clasps and jump rings occasionally so nothing slips loose unnoticed
Best avoided
- Swimming, showering or sleeping in gold-plated or gemstone pieces
- Perfume, hairspray or lotion applied directly onto jewelry
- Chlorine, saltwater and household cleaning products
- Ultrasonic cleaners or jewelry dips not made for plated metal
- Tossing pieces loose into a bag or drawer with keys and coins
How to clean it at home
A gentle clean once every few weeks is enough for most pieces.
Mix a mild solution
Warm (not hot) water with a small drop of gentle, fragrance-free dish soap is all you need. Skip anything abrasive or ammonia-based.
Dip a soft brush, not the piece
Warm (not hot) water with a small drop of gentle, fragrance-free dish soap is all you need. Skip anything abrasive or ammonia-based.
Rinse briefly and carefully
Rinse under lukewarm running water for a few seconds only, keeping gemstone settings out of direct water pressure. Skip this step entirely for photo or printed keychains — wipe them instead.
Pat dry immediately
Use a soft, lint-free cloth to dry the piece completely before putting it back in its pouch. Never leave jewelry to air-dry.
Common questions
Gold plating is a thin layer over another metal, so it will wear thinner with years of daily contact against skin, clothing and moisture. Following the habits on this page will slow that process considerably, but it isn't the same as solid gold and won't last forever with heavy daily wear.
We'd recommend against it. Water, especially chlorinated or salt water, is one of the fastest ways to wear down plating and loosen gemstone settings. Take pieces off before you get in.
Lay the chain flat and use two pins or fine needles to gently work the knot loose, rather than pulling. A drop of baby oil or cornstarch on the knot can help it slide apart without stressing the links.
Very light softening over years of wear against skin and clothing is normal for engraved plated jewelry. Cleaning with a soft brush rather than a cloth on the lettering itself, and avoiding abrasive cleaners, keeps it sharp for much longer.
Reach out to our support team with your order number and a photo of the piece, and we'll let you know the best next step for your specific item.
Still have a question about your piece?
Our team is happy to help with care questions specific to your order.
Contact us