Care Guide
QuQ pieces are made with natural freshwater pearls, 925 sterling silver, and 18K gold vermeil — beautiful, but delicate by nature. A little care goes a long way. Follow these simple habits and your jewellery will keep its glow for years.
The golden rule: Last on, first off
Put your jewellery on after skincare, fragrance, hairspray, and makeup. Take it off before sleeping, showering, swimming, exercising, or doing anything with water or chemicals.
Avoid contact with
- Water (shower, pool, ocean, hot tubs)
- Perfume, hairspray, body lotion, sunscreen
- Cleaning products, bleach, chlorine
- Sweat from exercise or hot weather
- Makeup and self-tanner
These can dull gold vermeil, tarnish silver, and damage the soft surface of natural pearls.
Caring for natural freshwater pearls
Pearls are organic and porous — they need to breathe. After wearing, gently wipe each pearl with a soft, dry cloth to remove any oil or residue from skin. Never soak pearls in water or use jewellery cleaner, ultrasonic cleaners, or polishing cloths designed for metal — these will damage the nacre.
If your pearls feel dusty after long storage, you may wipe them with a slightly damp (not wet) soft cloth, then dry immediately.
Caring for 18K gold vermeil
Gold vermeil is a thick layer of 18K gold over solid 925 sterling silver. With proper care it can last for many years, but it is still a plated finish and will wear down faster if exposed to chemicals or friction. Always store gold vermeil pieces separately to avoid scratching, and clean only with a soft, dry cloth — never use silver polish or abrasive cleaners.
Caring for gemstones
Natural stones such as tiger’s eye, lapis lazuli, jade, amber, and turquoise can be sensitive to heat, sunlight, and chemicals. Treat them the same way you treat pearls: wipe dry after wearing, and store away from direct sunlight.
How to store your QuQ pieces
- Keep each piece in the pouch or box it came in, separately from other jewellery.
- Store in a cool, dry place — away from direct sunlight and humidity.
- Lay necklaces flat to avoid tangling and stress on the chain.
- For long-term storage, you may add an anti-tarnish strip to your jewellery box.
If your jewellery looks dull
Gentle daily care is always better than aggressive cleaning. If your piece looks dull, wipe it with a clean, soft cotton cloth. Avoid jewellery dips, polishing cloths impregnated with chemicals, toothpaste, baking soda, or ultrasonic cleaners — these can strip the gold vermeil and damage pearls.
A note on natural variation
Every freshwater and baroque pearl is one of a kind. Small differences in shape, size, surface texture, and luster are part of the natural beauty of pearls — not flaws. Over time, pearls may also subtly deepen in color as they age with you. That is part of their story.
If you have any questions about caring for your QuQ piece, reach out at hello@quqjewellery.com — we are always happy to help.
Designed in Vancouver. Worn everywhere.