Festive Jewellery Care: Keeping Your Handcrafted Pieces Beautiful All Season

From Ganesh Chaturthi to Diwali

Between Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Durga Puja, and Diwali, festive jewellery works harder than almost anything else in your wardrobe—on and off for pujas, gatherings, late nights, and long days. Handcrafted pieces, with their gold-toned plating, Kundan stones, and enamel work, deserve a little extra care to stay looking as good at the end of the season as they did on day one.

Perfume, hairspray, and deodorant are the biggest silent threats to plated jewellery—they react with the plating over time and dull the finish. A simple habit: get dressed, apply your perfume and hairspray, and put your jewellery on last, once everything else has settled.

Handcrafted pieces, especially Kundan and Meenakari work, aren't built to survive rough handling. Take earrings off before a nap, avoid sleeping in necklaces, and be mindful during dandiya or garba nights when movement is part of the celebration—stonework can loosen with repeated jostling.

• Wipe, don't wash: Use a soft, dry cotton cloth to gently wipe down each piece after wearing. Avoid water and wet wipes, which can affect plating and loosen Kundan settings over time.
• Let it breathe: Don't pack jewellery away while it's still slightly damp from perspiration—let it air out for a few minutes first.
• Check the clasps: A quick glance at clasps and hooks after a long day of wear catches loose fittings before they become lost stones.

• Store pieces separately: Gemstones and Kundan work can scratch against each other if piled together. Use individual pouches or a compartmentalised box.
• Keep it dry: Humidity is one of the fastest ways to dull plating. A small silica gel packet in your jewellery box helps, especially during monsoon-adjacent festive months.
• Away from direct light: Prolonged sun exposure can affect enamel colours over time—store pieces in a drawer or box rather than an open display near a window.

With handcrafted Kundan work, an occasional loose stone isn't a flaw—it's a sign of genuine hand-set craftsmanship rather than machine-glued stones. If this happens, stop wearing the piece and reach out to us directly; most repairs are straightforward for pieces made using traditional foil-setting techniques.

With a little care between Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali, a single handcrafted piece can carry you through the entire festive season and well beyond it. If you have any questions about caring for a specific EthnicLush piece, message us on WhatsApp—we're always happy to help.

A little care today, a lifetime of shine tomorrow.