Jewelry Care

How to care for gold-plated, sterling silver, and stainless steel jewelry. Simple steps to keep your Suno pieces looking their best, every day.

STERLING SILVER

925 sterling silver — 92.5% pure silver, alloyed for everyday strength. A bright, cool-toned classic.

What to know: Silver tarnishes — it's a natural reaction to air and moisture, not a defect. The good news: tarnish is fully reversible, and the best prevention is simply wearing it. Pieces left sitting in a drawer tarnish faster than ones worn often.

Do:

  • Wear it often — skin contact actually keeps silver bright
  • Store it airtight when not in use (a zip bag or anti-tarnish pouch is ideal)
  • Wipe with a soft cloth after wearing
  • Keep it away from humidity — avoid the bathroom

Don't:

  • Expose it to chlorine, salt water, or household chemicals
  • Leave it in the open air for long stretches between wears

To clean: Use a proper silver polishing cloth for light tarnish — this is the one material where a polishing cloth is your friend. For more, use a little mild soap in warm water, rinse, and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Dry completely before storing.

STAINLESS STEEL

Surgical-grade stainless steel — the toughest, lowest-maintenance option we offer.

What to know: This is your worry-free material. Stainless steel is highly resistant to water, tarnish, and scratches, and it's hypoallergenic — a great choice if you have sensitive skin or want a piece you rarely have to think about. It won't tarnish or fade the way plated or silver pieces can.

Do:

  • Wear it with confidence — it handles daily life well
  • Clean it whenever it looks dull
  • Store it with other pieces without much worry (though a pouch still prevents surface scratches)

Don't:

  • Assume "waterproof" means "wear it everywhere forever" — chlorine and salt water still aren't ideal over time
  • Use harsh abrasives, which can scratch the finish

To clean: Warm water, a drop of mild soap, and a soft cloth. Rinse, dry, done. For a gold-toned (PVD-coated) steel piece, treat the coating gently — skip abrasive cleaners, same as with plating.

GOLD-PLATED

A layer of real gold bonded over a base metal — the warm look of gold, at an everyday price.

What to know: Plating is a surface. With good care it lasts a long time, but it's not permanent — over months or years of daily wear it can gradually fade, especially on high-friction pieces like rings and bracelets. That's normal for all gold-plated jewelry, everywhere. Treating it gently is what makes it last.

Do:

  • Take it off before showering, swimming, sleeping, and exercising
  • Apply all lotions, perfume, and hairspray before putting it on
  • Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth after each wear
  • Store in a dry pouch, away from other pieces

Don't:

  • Use jewelry dips, polishing cloths, or abrasive cleaners — these strip the gold layer
  • Scrub it — friction wears plating faster than anything
  • Wear it in pools, hot tubs, or the ocean

To clean: Wipe with a soft, dry (or very slightly damp) cloth. If needed, use a drop of mild soap in lukewarm water, rinse quickly, and pat completely dry. Never soak. Never scrub.