Most of the plating questions we get at the boutique aren’t really about water — they’re about dust and heat, which is a much bigger factor for anyone wearing gold-plated pieces through Nairobi’s dry months.
What actually wears plating down
Fine dust acts like a very mild abrasive against any metal surface, and dry-season static means it clings to jewellery more than it would in wetter months. Sunscreen and perfume, applied directly onto a piece rather than before you put it on, are the other two common causes of premature dulling.
The five-minute routine
Wipe pieces with a soft cloth before putting them away, not just when they look dull — dust removed daily never gets the chance to dull the surface. Store each piece separately in the silk pouch it arrived in rather than loose in a dish, since pieces resting against each other is one of the most common causes of surface scratches.
When it’s time for a re-plate
Every piece from Lamaze includes free re-plating for life — bring it back to the Westlands atelier when the colour starts to shift, typically somewhere between twelve and eighteen months of regular wear. There’s no fixed schedule; the piece will tell you when it’s ready.
