A complete care guide by Simmi Harpalani, Founder of Sims Blossoms
Living in the UAE is wonderful — except when it comes to taking care of your jewellery. Between Dubai’s coastal humidity, Abu Dhabi’s heat waves, and the constant air-conditioning shifts, your favourite gold-plated chokers and pearl earrings face challenges that women in cooler climates simply don’t experience.
After 13+ years selling fashion jewellery to UAE women, I’ve gathered the most practical, tested jewellery care advice — specifically tailored to the UAE climate. Follow these tips and your Sims Blossoms jewellery will look brand new for years.
Why UAE Climate is Tough on Jewellery
The UAE presents three unique challenges for fashion jewellery:
- High humidity (especially May-September coastal areas reach 70-90% humidity) — accelerates oxidation and tarnishing
- High temperatures (40°C+ summer days) — weakens plating and adhesives
- Saltwater exposure (beach trips, swimming pools) — corrodes metals
- Frequent perfume use — chemicals attack jewellery finishes
- Air conditioning condensation — moisture damage when entering/leaving cool spaces
The good news? With proper care, even budget-friendly fashion jewellery can last 3-5+ years looking pristine.
Universal Jewellery Care Rules for UAE Women
Rule 1: Last On, First Off
This is the #1 rule of jewellery care. Always put on jewellery LAST when getting ready (after makeup, perfume, hair products) and remove it FIRST when coming home (before showering, washing dishes, exercising).
Rule 2: The 3-Hour Rule
Never wear fashion jewellery for more than 8 consecutive hours. The longer it touches your skin, the more sweat, oils, and skin acids build up — accelerating damage.
Rule 3: Rotate Your Pieces
Don’t wear the same gold-plated necklace daily. Rotation lets each piece “rest” and reduces wear. Build a small collection of 5-6 daily pieces you alternate.
Rule 4: Avoid the Triple Threat
Always remove jewellery before:
- Swimming (chlorine + saltwater = death to plating)
- Sleeping (friction damages stones, pulls on chains)
- Showering (water + soap residue accelerates tarnishing)
How to Care for Different Types of Jewellery
Gold-Plated Jewellery
This is what most fashion jewellery is made of — including most pieces in our Gold Legacy collection.
Daily care:
- Wipe with a dry, soft cloth after each wear
- Remove sweat with a slightly damp microfiber cloth, then dry immediately
- Never use jewellery cleaner (too harsh for plating)
Storage:
- Store in original Sims Blossoms packaging
- Keep in a cool, dry drawer (away from bathroom humidity)
- Add silica gel packets to your jewellery box
What kills gold plating in UAE:
- Perfume directly on jewellery
- Sunscreen and lotions
- Saltwater
- Chlorine pools
- Acidic skin (some women have higher skin acidity)
- Sleeping with jewellery on (friction wears plating)
Pearl Jewellery
Pearls are organic — they’re literally alive (or were). They need special care, especially in UAE.
Daily care:
- Wipe with soft, slightly damp cloth (water only, never chemicals)
- Re-string pearl necklaces every 2-3 years
- Wear pearls often — body oils naturally maintain their luster
Storage:
- Lay flat (don’t hang — stretches the string)
- Wrap in soft cotton or silk
- Never store with other jewellery (scratches)
What kills pearls in UAE:
- Heat exposure (avoid leaving in cars)
- Direct sunlight (fades color)
- Perfume (alcohol damages surface)
- Hair spray
- Plastic bags (causes chemical reaction)
Silver Jewellery
Our Urban Charm collection features silver-plated and silver-look jewellery.
Daily care:
- Polish weekly with a silver polishing cloth
- Wear regularly — air exposure causes tarnishing
- Quick clean: warm water + mild soap, dry immediately
Storage:
- Anti-tarnish bags (available at any jewellery store)
- Sealed in airtight container (oxygen causes tarnishing)
- Add a piece of chalk to your storage box (absorbs moisture)
Zircon and Stone-Set Jewellery
Our Eternal Diamond collection features zircon stones that need special care to maintain sparkle.
Daily care:
- Clean stones weekly with a soft toothbrush + mild soap + warm water
- Pat dry gently — never rub
- Polish stones with microfiber cloth
Storage:
- Keep stones facing up
- Avoid stacking (stones scratch each other)
- Individual compartments preferred
Cleaning Jewellery at Home — Safe Methods
Method 1: Gentle Soap Bath (For Most Jewellery)
- Mix lukewarm water + 1 drop of baby shampoo
- Soak jewellery for 5 minutes maximum
- Gently scrub crevices with soft baby toothbrush
- Rinse with cool water
- Pat dry with microfiber cloth
- Air dry for 1 hour before storing
Safe for: Gold-plated, silver, zircon, costume jewellery Not safe for: Pearls, opals, glued stones
Method 2: Polishing Cloth Method
For daily maintenance, simply use a jewellery polishing cloth (available on Amazon UAE for ~AED 25). This restores shine without water exposure.
Method 3: What NOT to Use
- Toothpaste (myth — too abrasive, scratches plating)
- Vinegar (acidic, damages most metals)
- Baking soda (abrasive)
- Ultrasonic cleaners (damages stones and plating)
- Harsh jewellery cleaners (designed for solid gold, not plated)
Jewellery Storage Solutions for UAE Homes
The Best Storage Setup
- Original Sims Blossoms boxes for special pieces
- Velvet-lined jewellery box with multiple compartments
- Silica gel packets rotated every 3 months
- Anti-tarnish strips for silver pieces
- Cool, dry location (NOT bathroom or near windows)
What to Avoid
- Bathroom storage (humidity kills jewellery)
- Window sills (sun damages stones and plating)
- Plastic bags (causes chemical reactions)
- Tangled storage (chains break and scratch)
- Hot car storage (melts adhesives)
Travel Jewellery Care Tips
For Trips Within UAE
- Use a small travel jewellery roll
- Pack pieces individually
- Carry on hand luggage (never check)
For International Travel
- Use anti-tarnish travel pouches
- Document your jewellery (photos for insurance)
- Customs declaration if exceeding personal value limits
Beach Trips
- Just leave it home. Saltwater and sand are fashion jewellery’s worst enemies.
- If you must wear something, choose stainless steel pieces only.
When to Replace vs. Repair
Replace When:
- Plating is significantly worn (gold showing brass underneath)
- Stones are loose or missing
- Chain links are broken
- Major discoloration
Repair When:
- A clasp breaks (cheap fix)
- Earring back is lost (we sell replacements)
- Slight tarnishing (cleaning solves it)
Our Promise to You
Every piece of Sims Blossoms jewellery is hypoallergenic, lead-free, and nickel-free. We use the highest quality plating that can withstand UAE climate when properly cared for.
If a piece tarnishes within 30 days of purchase, contact us — we offer easy exchange and replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I wear my fashion jewellery to swim in UAE? No, never. Saltwater and chlorine will damage gold plating, fade colours, and corrode metals.
Q: How often should I clean my fashion jewellery? Light cleaning (wipe down) after every wear. Deep cleaning once a month is sufficient.
Q: My pearl earrings turned yellow — can I save them? Yellowing pearls are usually caused by oils, perfume, or hair products. Try gentle cleaning with damp cloth. If yellowing is severe, the surface may be permanently damaged.
Q: Why does my silver jewellery turn black in UAE? This is sulfur tarnishing accelerated by humidity. Use anti-tarnish strips and clean regularly with a polishing cloth.
Q: How long should fashion jewellery last with proper care? Quality fashion jewellery (like Sims Blossoms) should last 2-5 years with proper care. Daily-wear pieces last 1-2 years; occasional pieces last 5+ years.
Need Help Choosing the Right Jewellery?
If you’re new to fashion jewellery in UAE or want to build a long-lasting collection that works with our climate, WhatsApp Simmi at +971 56 612 9651 for a free personal styling consultation.
