Porcelain Ring - Care Instructions

Thank you for choosing Argilla porcelain jewelry. Each ring is hand-sculpted from French Limoges porcelain and high-fired to cone 10 (1290-1300°C), making it durable and long-lasting.

Porcelain is scratch-resistant, 100% anti-allergic, does not tarnish or oxidize, and has a very long service life when properly cared for. While porcelain is remarkably durable, it remains a refined ceramic material—similar to fine pearls, glass, or gemstones in how it should be treated.

The specific care your ring requires depends on its unique design and finishes. Some rings with sculptural elements, unglazed surfaces, or precious metal accents may need extra attention in certain areas, as detailed in the following sections. With mindful handling, your Argilla porcelain ring will maintain its beauty, becoming even more personal and meaningful with each wearing.

General Handling

  • Handle your porcelain rings with the same care as you would pearls, glass, or gemstones.

  • Porcelain is hard and scratch-resistant, but it can chip or break if dropped or knocked against hard surfaces like tiles, concrete, or stone countertops.

  • Perfume (and other cosmetic products or hand sanitizer) can damage or dull jewelry, especially delicate finishes like gold luster or unglazed porcelain. Put on your ring after applying perfume. You should also not spread perfume anywhere the jewelry might contact the skin. Perfume contains alcohol and oils that can damage delicate materials in your porcelain ring. Alcohol can dull or even erode gold and platinum luster over time. Oils and fragrance compounds can stain or discolor unglazed porcelain, which is slightly porous and absorbs residue. On glazed areas, buildup from perfume may cause a cloudy film that makes the surface appear dull.

  • While porcelain jewelry is water-resistant, I recommend removing your pieces before showering, bathing, swimming or cleaning, as they can easily slip off when wet.

  • Avoid contact with household chemicals, especially those containing acids, chlorine, or sulfur. Acids and chlorine can weaken the surface, especially on unglazed or matte porcelain, leading to etching, dullness, or staining. Sulfur compounds can react with any metallic elements in your piece (like gold luster or silver accents), causing tarnish, discoloration, or corrosion. These chemicals can also erode delicate details or affect any glazes, or decorative materials used.


Cleaning

  • Use a soft, dry cloth for regular cleaning.

  • For light dirt: gently wash with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap. Rinse well to remove any soap film, which can dull the surface. Use a soft toothbrush or nailbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas—avoid scrubbing gold or platinum luster or embellishment with microsphere and sands.

  • For deeper cleaning of unglazed or carved areas: use a baking soda paste (just baking soda and water), gently rub, then rinse and dry thoroughly.

  • Avoid polishing agents, and chemical solutions.


STORAGE

  • Store your ring in the box provided, avoid plastic. 

  • Plastic can trap moisture, especially in humid environments. This can lead to condensation, which may dull glazed or lustered surfaces, encourage staining on unglazed or porous areas. Also certain plastics off-gas chemicals (especially soft or flexible plastics) over time can react with metallic lusters (gold or platinum). Friction inside a bag (especially if not padded) can cause scratches or pressure damage if the ring shifts or rubs against other objects. 

    It’s better to store porcelain jewelry in a padded box or soft cloth pouch that allows air circulation and offers protection from scratches and impact.

Special Surfaces & Materials

Unglazed & Carved Porcelain

  • These surfaces can absorb oils and pigments. Stains from makeup, food (like beet juice or turmeric), and dirt are possible.

  • For light cleaning: wipe with a dry or barely damp soft cloth

  • For deeper cleaning: use mild dish soap and warm water, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush or nailbrush, and rinse thoroughly to avoid soap film, which makes jewelry appear dull

  • For stain removal: make a paste of baking soda and water, gently rub the stained area with a soft cloth or toothbrush, rinse thoroughly. For white porcelain, a magic eraser sponge can help remove stains.

Sculptural or Tall Rings

  • Raised or detailed tops are more vulnerable to snagging and impact.

  • Wear with extra care and avoid tight gloves or hard knocks.

Gold, Platinum and iridescent accents

  • These accents are real precious metals in a thin, delicate layer. The luster is a microscopically thin layer of real metal, applied over the glaze and fired at a lower temperature than the base porcelain. It’s decorative, not deeply fused, and more vulnerable to wear.

  • Avoid friction, rubbing, and stacking with other jewelry (especially harder materials like steel or gemstones) that can scratch the luster, removing its shine or finish, wear it down over time, especially along edges or raised areas, cause abrasion that exposes the ceramic underneath, which can’t be easily repaired. 

  • Keep acidic, sulfur compound and abrasive substances away as they may cause dulling and scratching. Sulfur compounds can react with any metallic elements in your piece (like luster or silver accents), causing tarnish, discoloration, or corrosion. Acids (like vinegar, citrus juice, or some skincare products) can chemically react with the metal, causing it to dull, fade, or discolor. Abrasives (like rough cloths, scrubbing pads, or gritty cleaners) can scratch the surface, wearing away the fine luster layer over time.

  • Clean gently with a dry microfiber cloth only—never use polish, or cleaning solutions that can cause the luster to fade, dull, or peel over time and react with the metal and leave permanent spots or streaks.

Painted Alumina Microspheres

  • These are decorative, sculptural elements made of painted hollow alumina spheres affixed with low-fire glaze and fine sands

  • Do not expose to pressure, or friction.

  • These elements are hollow and may lose color if broken or damaged.

  • For cleaning: dust gently with a very soft brush only

Silver Accents (Melted Pure Silver)

  • Silver will naturally develop a patina and tarnish over time. 

  • Avoid chemicals, especially those containing sulfur or chlorine. Sulfur rich environments causes tarnish: silver reacts with sulfur (found in some cleaning products, air pollution, and even some foods) to form silver sulfide, which appears as a dark, dull tarnish on the surface. Chlorine corrodes silver: chlorine (in bleach, pools, hot tubs, etc.) can cause pitting and permanent surface damage to silver, even at low concentrations. These reactions are not just cosmetic—they can weaken or permanently damage the silver over time.

  • To clean silver grains and silver dew (that could became goldfish) polish with a soft toothbrush and a paste of lemon juice and baking soda.

NOTE ON WEAR

Remember, your porcelain ring is a work of art meant to be cherished and admired. With proper care, it will maintain its beauty for many years. 

Minor wear over time is natural and adds to the story of your ring. Each trace makes your jewelry more personal.

If your ring requires more extensive cleaning, or for questions about care or maintenance, please contact me at marianna@argilla.nyc

Marianna