Men's Jewellery Care 101: Cleaning, Storing and Maintaining Your Collection

Men's jewellery has become an essential part of modern dressing, but a piece only stays looking good if you look after it. Whether it's a leather bracelet, a beaded bracelet or a steel chain, a few minutes of care makes the difference between something that lasts a season and something that lasts decades.

Here's how to clean, store and maintain each type.

Caring for Leather Bracelets

Leather is the material most affected by daily wear — and the one most people over-clean.

Cleaning

  • Use a soft cloth. Wipe the surface with a soft, dry cloth to remove dirt and dust. Avoid harsh chemicals, which strip the natural oils.
  • Spot clean stubborn marks. Dampen a cloth with a mild soap solution and rub gently. Don't saturate the leather — excess moisture is what causes damage.
  • Condition occasionally. A small amount of leather conditioner keeps it supple and stops it drying out. Twice a year is plenty for a bracelet.
  • Dry naturally. Air dry away from direct sunlight and heat. Never use a hairdryer or leave it on a radiator — that's what cracks leather.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Avoid airtight containers and plastic bags, which trap moisture. The pouch that came with your piece is ideal.

Browse our leather bracelets — all made with full-grain leather that improves with wear.

Caring for Beaded Bracelets

Cleaning

  • Gentle wipe down. A soft dry cloth removes most dirt. Take care not to snag it on the beads.
  • Avoid soaking. Beaded bracelets are strung on elastic or adjustable cord, which weakens when repeatedly wet. Take yours off before swimming or showering.
  • Use a soft toothbrush. For grime between beads, a soft-bristled brush and mild soapy water works well. Rinse briefly and pat dry.
  • No harsh chemicals. Solvents and abrasive cleaners dull natural stone. Mild soap and water only.

A note on natural stone

Onyx, tiger's eye, lapis lazuli and jasper are porous to varying degrees. Keep them away from aftershave, sunscreen and hand sanitiser — put your beaded bracelet on last, after grooming, and it'll stay looking new far longer.

Pearls need particular care. Our guide to men's pearl necklaces covers them specifically.

Caring for Stainless Steel and Titanium

The easiest of the three. 316L stainless steel and titanium are corrosion-resistant and stand up to daily wear — which is exactly why we use them.

  • Soap and water. Wash with mild soap and warm water using a soft cloth. That covers almost everything.
  • Dry thoroughly. Dry with a clean cloth to prevent water spots.
  • Avoid abrasives. Steel resists corrosion but not scratches. Skip scouring pads and abrasive cleaners, especially on brushed or matte finishes.
  • Polish gently. A polishing cloth restores shine. Buff in the direction of the grain on brushed finishes rather than in circles.

A note on engraved pieces

Engraving is etched into the metal rather than printed onto it, so it can't rub off — but abrasive polishes will soften the crispness of the edges over time. Use a soft cloth on engraved pieces and leave the polishing compounds alone.

Caring for Gold-Plated Pieces

Gold plating sits on the surface, so it needs a lighter touch than solid steel. Wipe with a soft dry cloth after wearing, avoid any abrasive at all, and remove before swimming — chlorine is the fastest way to dull plating.

Quality matters more than technique here. Plating over 316L steel or titanium lasts; plating over cheap alloy wears through whatever you do.

General Habits That Matter Most

  • Last on, first off. Put jewellery on after aftershave and moisturiser, take it off before showering or the gym.
  • Store pieces separately. Metal against metal causes scratches. Use the pouch each piece arrived in.
  • Check clasps periodically. The clasp does the most work and shows wear first — catch a problem before you lose a piece.
  • Rotate what you wear. Nothing wears evenly if it never comes off.

If Something Goes Wrong

Every Forge & Foundry piece is made in our London workshop and backed by a lifetime warranty. If a clasp fails or a piece doesn't wear as it should, get in touch — that guarantee is the reason we build the way we do.

For metal-specific detail, see our guides to cleaning men's jewellery and cleaning silver jewellery. Or browse the full collection.

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