Terracotta jewellery is fired clay - hard, light and surprisingly durable. Stored well, a handmade set keeps its colour and shine for years. Here is the routine we recommend to every customer.
Keep the box. The biggest cause of chips is loose jewellery knocking around a drawer. Store each set in the box it shipped in, or any lidded box with a soft lining. Wrap long haarams in tissue so strands do not tangle.
Keep it dry. Water is the one real enemy - it softens paint over time. Take pieces off before bathing or swimming, and let perfume and hairspray dry before wearing. After a humid day, wipe gently with a soft dry cloth before boxing.
One set per compartment. Kemp stones and metallic paint can scratch neighbouring pieces. If you stack sets, put a layer of tissue or cotton between them.
Handle by the cord, not the pendant. Terracotta pendants are strongest at the centre and weakest at thin painted edges. Lift necklaces by the thread and jhumkas by the hook.
Refresh before occasions. A soft dry brush - an unused makeup brush works - lifts dust out of carved details in seconds. Never use water, wipes or cleaning sprays.
That is the whole routine: dry, boxed, separated. Treat a terracotta set the way you would a ceramic keepsake and it will outlast trends, seasons and most metal jewellery you own.