The most common complaint about artificial jewellery isn't the look β it's the lifespan. The good news: how long a piece lasts depends more on how you treat it than what you paid for it. Seven rules, in order of importance:
1. Perfume first, jewellery last
Perfume, hairspray and lotion are the number one killers of artificial finishes. Make jewellery the final step of getting ready, after everything has dried on your skin.
2. Keep it dry β always
Take off bangles and rings before wuzu, washing dishes or showering. Moisture trapped against the metal is what causes the dark tarnish and green marks.
3. Wipe after every wear
Ten seconds with a soft dry cloth removes the sweat and oils that would otherwise eat the finish overnight. This one habit doubles the life of gold-tone pieces.
4. Store pieces separately
A drawer where everything tangles together means scratched finishes and bent hooks. Keep earrings in a compartment box β if you bought a jhumka box, the box itself is the storage; that's the point of it.
5. Airtight beats open air
For pieces you wear rarely, a small ziplock bag with the air pressed out prevents the slow tarnish that happens even in a drawer. Cheap and remarkably effective.
6. Don't sleep or exercise in it
Sweat is salty water (see rule 2), and sleeping bends hooks and posts out of shape.
7. Rotate your pieces
Wearing the same pair daily wears it out fast. A varied collection isn't a luxury β it's how each piece survives longer. (Yes, this is also us telling you to browse the new arrivals. But it's still true.)
ASH Collections β artificial jewellery with cash on delivery across Pakistan, free delivery over Rs 2,500.
