How to Stop Artificial Jewellery From Turning Black
If a pair of earrings has ever turned dull, greenish or black after a few wears, you are not alone — and it is not always a sign of poor quality. Most of the time it comes down to a few avoidable habits. Here is what actually causes it, and how to stop it happening to your collection.
Why gold-plated jewellery tarnishes
Imitation and gold-plated jewellery is usually made from a base metal (like brass) with a thin layer of gold plating over the top. That plating is durable, but it is still a coating — not solid gold all the way through. Three things speed up wear and tarnishing:
- Moisture. Sweat, humidity and water react with the base metal underneath the plating.
- Chemicals. Perfume, deodorant, hairspray and even some sunscreens contain ingredients that dull plating far faster than daily wear alone.
- Friction. Rubbing against skin, clothing, or other jewellery in storage slowly wears the plating thinner in the same spot every time.
Eloria pieces are finished with an anti-tarnish coating specifically to slow this process down, but no coating makes jewellery completely immune — the habits below matter just as much.
Six habits that make earrings last longer
1. Jewellery goes on last, comes off first
Get dressed, do your hair, apply perfume and sunscreen — then put your earrings on. Reverse the order when you get home. This single habit prevents more tarnishing than anything else on this list.
2. Keep them dry
Take earrings off before a shower, swim, or workout. Sweat and water are two of the fastest ways to dull gold plating.
3. Wipe, don't scrub
After wearing, a quick wipe with a soft, dry cloth removes the oils and residue that cause dulling over time. Avoid wet wipes, alcohol-based cleaners, or anything abrasive.
4. Store them separately and dry
Loose earrings tossed in a bag or drawer rub against each other and against other metal, wearing the plating thin. Use a small pouch, a lined jewellery box, or even a soft cloth wrap — anything that keeps each pair from touching metal-to-metal.
5. Avoid the pool and the sea
Chlorine and salt water are particularly hard on plated jewellery. If you're travelling somewhere with a pool or beach, leave the earrings at home or in your bag.
6. Give them a rest
Wearing the same pair every single day wears the plating faster in one spot. If you have a few pairs you love, rotate between them — it's better for your collection and gives you a reason to actually use everything you own.
What to do if a pair has already dulled
A very light polish with a dry microfibre cloth can bring some shine back if the wear is mild. Avoid jewellery cleaning liquids made for solid gold or silver — they are often too harsh for plated pieces and can strip the coating faster. If a pair has genuinely worn through, it has done its job; that's the honest trade-off of gold-plated jewellery at an accessible price, and it's why we suggest treating pieces under ₹200 as a way to try more styles, not as a lifetime investment.
Looking to add a few new pairs to rotate in? See our guide to earrings under ₹200 or browse the full earrings collection.