Last updated: 15 September 2026
Fine jewellery changes subtly with wear. Thoughtful care helps preserve its finish, structure and brilliance. Because every piece is different, please follow any product-specific instructions supplied with your jewellery where they differ from this general guide.
In this Guide, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Helene International Pte Ltd, the operator of the Helene Quan brand.
Essential Care
Handle jewellery carefully and avoid hard impact, pressure, friction and contact with rough surfaces. Put jewellery on after applying perfume, hairspray, cosmetics and skincare products.
Remove jewellery before bathing, swimming, exercising, sleeping, household cleaning, gardening or any activity that may expose it to water, perspiration, chemicals, impact or excessive force.
Do not pull, twist, bend, compress or stretch a piece beyond the movement intended by its design. Take particular care with fine chains, raised settings, clasps, hinges, pearls and flexible structures.
Routine Cleaning
After wear, gently wipe your jewellery with a clean, soft and lint-free cloth before storage.
Where the complete piece is suitable for cleaning with water, use lukewarm water, a small amount of mild soap and a very soft brush. Rinse briefly and dry completely with a soft cloth before storage. Do not use toothpaste, baking soda, abrasive powders, hard brushes, bleach, chlorine, ammonia, household cleaners or unapproved jewellery dips. Do not soak pearls, glued components, plated finishes, enamel, lacquer, oxidised surfaces or other delicate mixed-material pieces.
Ultrasonic and steam cleaning should only be carried out by a qualified jewellery professional after confirming that every gemstone, treatment, setting, adhesive and surface finish in the piece is suitable.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are highly resistant to scratching but are not indestructible. A hard impact may chip or fracture a diamond, particularly at an edge or point, and a diamond may scratch other jewellery stored beside it. Oils, lotions and soap residue may reduce brilliance. Where the setting and surrounding materials are suitable, clean gently with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
Lab-Grown Coloured Gemstones
The appropriate care method depends on the gemstone species, any treatment, the setting and the surrounding materials. Lab-grown origin alone does not determine whether heat, chemicals, steam or ultrasonic cleaning is safe. Avoid strong impact, sudden temperature change, prolonged heat and chemical exposure. Unless product-specific instructions state otherwise, use a soft cloth or gentle cleaning with lukewarm water and mild soap only where the complete piece is suitable.
Pearls
Pearls have delicate surfaces and may be affected by abrasion, acids, cosmetics, perfume, hairspray, perspiration, chlorine and heat. Pearls should be the last item put on and the first item removed.
After wear, wipe each pearl gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth and allow the piece to dry naturally before storage. Do not use jewellery dips, ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaners.
Do not soak mabé pearl jewellery or any pearl piece containing adhesive. Store pearls separately from metal and gemstone jewellery. Do not store pearls for prolonged periods in airtight or excessively dry conditions. Lay pearl strands flat and arrange inspection or restringing when the thread shows stretching, discolouration or weakness.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is a relatively soft precious-metal alloy. With regular wear, it may show light scratches, small marks, slight bending in delicate components or natural tarnishing. These are normal characteristics of sterling silver and do not by themselves indicate a manufacturing defect.
Sterling silver may tarnish through exposure to air, moisture, perspiration, perfume, cosmetics, chlorine, sulphur and other chemicals. Tarnish is a surface reaction and can be reduced with proper care.
Keep silver jewellery clean and dry. Store each piece separately when not in use. Plain, unplated sterling silver may be gently cleaned with a suitable silver polishing cloth.
Gold Vermeil and Plated Finishes
Gold vermeil and other plated finishes contain a surface layer of precious metal. The appearance and lifespan of that layer depend on friction, frequency of wear, moisture, perspiration, body chemistry, cosmetics, chemicals and storage.
Remove plated jewellery before contact with perspiration, perfume, skincare products and cleaning substances. Wipe gently with a clean, soft and dry cloth. Do not use metal polish, silver cloths, abrasive cleaners, brushes, ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaners. Gradual surface wear or colour change may occur with use. Store each plated piece separately to reduce rubbing.
Gold (9K, 14K and 18K)
Gold jewellery may scratch, dent or deform through wear, particularly in fine, hollow, lightweight or highly polished areas. Avoid impact, heavy pressure and contact with harder jewellery.
Where the complete piece is suitable, clean with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Professional polishing removes a small amount of metal and should be performed only when appropriate.
White-gold jewellery may have a rhodium or similar surface finish. This finish may gradually wear and reveal a warmer underlying colour. Professional replating may be required as a maintenance service depending on wear.
Enamel, Lacquer and Special Finishes
Enamel, lacquer, coloured coatings, oxidised surfaces, high-polish surfaces, textures and other special finishes may be affected by impact, abrasion, solvents, chemicals, heat and repeated polishing.
Unless product-specific instructions state otherwise, clean only with a clean, soft and dry cloth. Do not scrape, buff, polish or use jewellery dips, ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaners on special finishes.
Chains, Clasps, Hinges and Flexible Designs
Fasten chains before storage and lay them flat or place them separately to reduce tangling. Do not pull fine chains, force clasps, crush hinges or articulated components, or overextend flexible, spring or coil structures.
Do not suspend a heavy pendant from a chain not designed for that weight. Stop wearing an item and contact us if a clasp, hinge, link, post, spring, coil or flexible component becomes loose, distorted, unusually stiff or difficult to operate.
Storage
Store jewellery clean and free from surface moisture, away from direct sunlight, excessive heat, high humidity and rapidly changing temperatures.
Keep each item separately in its original pouch, box or a soft-lined compartment to reduce scratching, tangling and contact between different materials. Do not place heavy jewellery on top of delicate pieces, raised settings, pearls or flexible structures.
Keep jewellery and small detachable components out of reach of young children and pets.
Inspection and Professional Servicing
Inspect frequently worn jewellery regularly. Look for movement in stones, worn or lifted prongs, stretched links, weakened pearl thread, loose posts, damaged earring backs, distorted rings and clasps that no longer close securely.
Stop wearing a piece if an issue may affect safe wear or cause further damage. Contact us before arranging cleaning, polishing, resizing, replating, restringing or repair.
Repairs and Third-Party Work
Third-party repair, resizing, polishing, stone replacement, plating, engraving or alteration may change the construction, finish or fit of your jewellery and may affect our ability to assess its original condition or the cause of damage.
Please contact us before arranging third-party work. Do not send jewellery to us until return or inspection instructions have been provided.
Normal Wear and Changes in Appearance
Depending on the material, finish, design and manner of use, jewellery may develop fine scratches, surface marks, patina, tarnish, softened polish, plating wear, rhodium wear or changes in texture and colour. Pearls and gemstones may also display variations in colour, shape and surface appearance.
These changes do not automatically indicate a manufacturing defect. Any concern will be assessed according to the product, its age and condition, the reported issue, the applicable policies and applicable law.
After-Sales Services
This Guide provides general care information only. It does not create a separate product warranty or repair commitment. If your jewellery arrives incorrect or damaged, or you notice a quality concern, please contact us with your order number, clear photographs and a brief description. We will review the issue and, once confirmed, arrange a replacement subject to availability or offer another suitable solution. Please wait for our return instructions before sending the item. Further details are available in our Return & Exchange Policy.
Inspection, repair, resizing, replating, restringing and component replacement may be available following assessment. Availability and charges depend on the piece and the work required. Accidental damage, improper care, alterations and normal wear will be handled separately as after-sales service.
Contact
For product-specific care advice, inspection or repair enquiries, please use the contact details published on our website. Where available, include your order number or proof of purchase, clear photographs and a brief description of the issue.