Jewellery Care: Taking Your Favourite Pieces from Summer into Autumn

As linen shirts give way to soft knitwear, scarves and warmer layers, it’s a good moment to give your jewellery a little extra attention too.

After a summer of warmer weather, holidays, sun cream and days spent outside, the pieces you have worn most may have picked up more body oils, lotions and residue than usual. Autumn then brings a new set of things to think about, from heavier fabrics catching delicate chains to richer hand creams sitting against rings and bracelets.

Knowing how to care for jewellery through the change of seasons comes down to a few small habits. Here’s how to prepare your favourite pieces for autumn and keep them looking their best.

Before packing away holiday favourites or bringing everyday pieces into your autumn rotation, give them a quick check in good light.

Lay each piece on a soft surface and look over clasps, chains, settings and pearls. Check that clasps close securely, chains have no obvious damage and stones or pearls feel firmly attached.

This is particularly useful before you start wearing scarves, jumpers and heavier layers regularly, as delicate jewellery can experience more pulling and catching once autumn dressing begins.

Summer products can also leave residue behind. Sun cream, body lotions and natural oils can build up on jewellery over time, dulling the finish.

For routine care, gently wipe your jewellery with a soft, lint-free cloth after wearing it. Every LILY & ROO order also comes with a cleaning cloth and care guide, so keep them somewhere easy to reach as a reminder to give frequently worn pieces a little attention.

The most important rule is to keep cleaning gentle. Different materials can react differently to moisture, products and abrasive cleaning, so more isn’t always better.

If you’re wondering how to clean gold-plated jewellery, start with a soft, lint-free cloth to gently remove oils and residue. Avoid vigorous polishing or abrasive products, as gold plating is a surface finish and repeated friction can affect it over time.

Sterling silver should also be wiped gently after wear, particularly if it has come into contact with body oils, lotions or moisture. Keeping the piece clean and dry between wears helps reduce the conditions that can encourage tarnishing.

When considering how to care for pearl jewellery, remember that pearls need a particularly gentle approach. Wipe them carefully with a soft cloth after wearing and keep them away from water, perfumes, hairspray and other beauty products.

Because many LILY & ROO pieces combine pearls, metals or stones, always choose a care method that is suitable for every part of the jewellery rather than focusing on just one material.

Autumn layers introduce something summer clothes usually don’t: more fabric sitting directly around your jewellery.

Chunky knits, scarves, close-fitting cuffs and textured fabrics can catch on clasps, chains and dangling details. Repeated pulling can put unnecessary pressure on delicate components.

Put necklaces and earrings on after pulling a jumper over your head, and remove them before getting undressed.

When wrapping a scarf, check that it hasn’t caught beneath an earring or pulled a necklace tight. Keep delicate bracelets clear of close-fitting cuffs, and take extra care when pulling gloves over rings.

If something does catch, stop and gently free the fabric rather than pulling the jewellery away. Support the piece while loosening the snag to avoid putting additional strain on a chain, clasp or setting.

Cooler weather often means richer hand creams, moisturisers and other skincare products become part of the daily routine.

These products can collect around settings, clasps and chains, which is why the order you get ready in matters.

Apply hand cream, body lotion, perfume and hairspray first and allow products to settle before putting your jewellery on. Think of jewellery as the final step in getting ready.

The same applies when reapplying hand cream during the day: remove your rings first and place them somewhere secure, away from the sink.

Autumn rain also means jewellery may occasionally become damp while you are out. Make sure pieces are completely dry before putting them back into storage, as moisture can encourage tarnishing.

And remember the year-round “5 S’s”: remove jewellery before sleeping, showering, swimming, using sprays and sweating through exercise.

As the seasons change, you may begin reaching for different pieces, which means some of your summer favourites will spend longer in storage.

Fasten necklaces before putting them away and store pieces separately where possible to help prevent tangling and scratching.

Choose somewhere cool, dry and away from direct sunlight or bathroom steam. An airtight container can also help reduce exposure to moisture.

Keep pearls away from harder jewellery that could rub or scratch their surface, and make sure every piece is completely dry before it is stored.

Keeping your most-worn autumn jewellery accessible also makes it easier to return each piece to its proper place at the end of the day.

Jewellery care doesn’t need to be complicated. Use the change of season as a reminder to check your most-worn pieces, gently remove any summer residue and take a little extra care around autumn layers, moisture and beauty products.

Small, consistent habits can make all the difference when looking after the jewellery you wear and love most.

Explore our jewellery care guide for more advice on caring for your LILY & ROO pieces.