Looking After Your Glass Pearl Jewellery

I get asked about jewellery care more than almost anything else, so I wanted to put everything I tell people into one place. Remillie pieces are made with high-quality faux glass pearls rather than natural pearls, which keeps them accessible without losing that soft, luminous look. They're durable, but like any jewellery you wear often, a little care goes a long way in keeping them looking their best for years rather than months.

None of this is complicated. It's mostly just being a bit mindful about when you put your jewellery on and how you store it when you're not wearing it. I'll go through everything below, from the moment your piece arrives to the small habits that keep it looking new.

Why glass pearls need a bit of care

Glass pearls have a thin coating that gives them that soft, luminous finish. It's a similar idea to how natural pearls have a nacre layer, except this coating is designed to be tougher and more consistent. Still, it's a coating, and coatings can wear down over time if they're exposed to the wrong things too often. That's really the whole reason behind most of the advice in this guide.

The good news is that once you know what to avoid, caring for them becomes second nature. Most of my own jewellery gets worn several times a week and still looks the way it did on day one, because I've built these habits in without really thinking about them anymore.

Keep them away from water and perfume

Try not to wear your pieces in the shower, the pool or the sea. Chlorine and salt water in particular can be harsh on the coating over time. If your bracelet or necklace does get splashed, just pat it dry with a soft cloth rather than leaving it to air dry.

Perfume, hairspray, and lotion are the other big one. These products contain alcohol and other chemicals that can dull the surface of glass pearls and tarnish gold or silver-plated findings faster than normal wear. The easy fix is to get ready first, let everything settle for a minute, and then put your jewellery on last. It becomes a habit quickly, and it makes a real difference over months and years of wear.

Store them in the pouch, and store them separately

Every order comes with a Remillie gift pouch, and I'd genuinely recommend using it as the everyday home for your piece, not just something it arrives in. Keeping jewellery in a soft pouch protects it from dust, sunlight, and the little scratches that happen when pieces are tossed loose into a drawer.

It also helps to keep pieces separated from each other, especially from anything with hard stones, clasps, or sharp edges. Glass pearls and delicate chains can pick up scratches from harder jewellery if they're left tangled together in the same box. A few minutes of tidying up after wearing something saves a lot of frustration later.

Cleaning is simple: just a soft, dry cloth

Give your pieces a gentle wipe with a soft, dry cloth after wearing them, especially if you've been out somewhere warm or active. This removes any natural oils or light residue before they have a chance to build up.

I'd avoid ultrasonic cleaners, jewellery dips, or anything with strong chemicals. These are usually fine for solid gold or silver, but they can be too harsh for glass pearls and plated findings. If a piece ever looks like it needs more than a wipe, message me and I'm happy to talk through it rather than risk damaging something you love wearing.

Wearing them day to day

Most of my pieces have an adjustable extension chain, which makes them easy to layer or wear alone without worrying too much about exact sizing. If you're layering multiple necklaces, try to keep the more delicate chains away from anything heavier or with a rougher clasp, just to avoid unnecessary friction.

Bracelets tend to get the most wear and tear simply because hands are so active. If you know you'll be doing something hands-on, like cooking, cleaning, or exercising, it's worth taking a bracelet off first rather than risking a knock against a hard surface.

Travelling with your jewellery

If you're packing jewellery for a trip, the pouch is still your best friend. Slipping each piece into its own pouch or a small fabric pocket stops necklaces from tangling and keeps bracelets from knocking against anything else in your bag.

It's also worth thinking about the climate you're heading to. Somewhere hot and humid, or somewhere with a lot of pool or sea time, might mean packing a simpler piece and saving your favourite for the parts of the trip where you know you'll stay dry.