The Importance of Regular Cleaning

Proper cleaning is fundamental for two key reasons: the health of your piercing and the enduring beauty of your fine jewellery. For new piercings, diligent cleaning is crucial for a smooth healing process and preventing infection. For healed piercings, regular cleaning maintains hygiene and, just as importantly, keeps your exquisite Lark & Berry jewellery—crafted from nickel-free 14k gold and featuring stunning lab-grown diamonds and gemstones—looking its brilliant best.

At Lark & Berry, we provide comprehensive aftercare advice when you get your piercing, and this guide offers a detailed routine for both your piercing site and your precious jewellery. Remember, we also offer a complimentary lifetime cleaning service for all Lark & Berry jewellery when you bring it into our store.

Cleaning New Piercings: The Healing Phase

During the initial healing period (which can range from weeks to many months depending on the placement), the focus is on keeping the piercing site clean and free from irritants. This involves:

• Sterile Saline Solution: Cleaning twice daily with a sterile saline solution, as detailed in your Lark & Berry aftercare instructions and our comprehensive Piercing Aftercare Guide. This is the primary method for cleaning the piercing itself.
• Gentle Handling: Avoid twisting or turning your jewellery. Our push-back flat back studs are designed for comfort and security during healing.
• Drying Thoroughly: Gently patting the area dry with a disposable paper towel after cleaning or showering.

During this phase, avoid directly applying soaps or other cleaning agents to the piercing site itself, beyond the recommended saline solution, unless specifically advised by your piercer or a medical professional.

Cleaning Healed Piercings & Your Lark & Berry Jewellery

Once your piercing is fully healed, you can adjust your routine. Whilst the piercing site itself will require less intensive cleaning, your beautiful Lark & Berry jewellery will benefit from regular attention to maintain its sparkle, especially pieces adorned with our lab-grown diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires.

Daily & Regular Care for Jewellery in Healed Piercings:

• General Hygiene: When showering, allow warm water to run over your healed piercings. You can use a very mild, fragrance-free soap to gently cleanse the area around the piercing and the jewellery, rinsing thoroughly.
• Wipe Down: After showering or if your jewellery has been exposed to lotions or sweat, gently wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth.
• Avoid Product Build-up: Be mindful of hairspray, perfumes, and cosmetics, as these can create a film on gemstones and dull their brilliance. Apply these products before putting in your more delicate or intricate jewellery pieces if possible.

Periodic Deep Clean for Your Fine Piercing Jewellery (Weekly/As Needed):

This routine is specifically for cleaning the jewellery itself, especially if it features gemstones. You may choose to carefully remove easily accessible jewellery from fully healed piercings for this, or clean it in place if secure and comfortable.

1. Prepare Your Solution: Use a small bowl of warm (not hot) water with a few drops of mild washing-up liquid (e.g., Fairy Liquid or a similar gentle, non-abrasive brand). Avoid harsh detergents or abrasive cleaners.
2. Soak (Optional & Brief): You can let your solid 14k gold and lab-grown diamond/gemstone jewellery soak for a few minutes (5-10 minutes) to help loosen any accumulated oils or dirt. For pieces with more delicate gemstones (like emeralds, which can be more sensitive), a shorter soak or direct cleaning is preferable.
3. Gentle Brushing: Use a very soft toothbrush (a baby toothbrush is ideal) or a specialised soft jewellery brush. Gently brush the jewellery, paying attention to the settings around gemstones and any crevices where dirt might hide. Be particularly gentle with intricate settings.
4. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the jewellery under lukewarm running water. Ensure all soap residue is removed, as this can leave a dull film. If rinsing over a sink, ensure the drain is plugged!
5. Dry Carefully: Pat the jewellery dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid paper towels for this, as they can sometimes leave fibres or scratch very delicate surfaces over time. You can also let it air dry completely on a soft cloth.

Our Complimentary Service: For the ultimate sparkle and professional care, remember that Lark & Berry offers a complimentary lifetime cleaning service for all your Lark & Berry jewellery. Simply bring your pieces into one of our stores, and our team will be delighted to restore their brilliance for you.

Recommended Cleaning Supplies

• For New Piercings: Sterile saline solution (as provided in your Lark & Berry aftercare kit or commercially available wound wash saline).
• For Cleaning Jewellery at Home:
  • Mild, non-abrasive washing-up liquid.
  • Warm water.
  • A very soft toothbrush or specialised jewellery brush.
  • A soft, lint-free cloth (microfibre cloths are excellent).
• Professional Cleaning: Your local Lark & Berry store for our complimentary lifetime cleaning service.
• General: Non-woven gauze or disposable paper towels for drying new piercings.

What to Avoid When Cleaning Piercings & Jewellery

• Harsh Chemicals: Bleach, chlorine, acetone, ammonia-based cleaners, and abrasive polishes can damage fine jewellery, especially gemstones, and severely irritate piercings.
• Abrasive Materials: Stiff brushes or abrasive cloths can scratch gold and some gemstones.
• Ultrasonic Cleaners (Use with Caution): Whilst professional jewellers use them, home ultrasonic cleaners can be risky for certain gemstones (especially those with inclusions, or softer stones like emeralds) and can sometimes loosen settings if not used correctly. It is generally safer to avoid them for gemstone-set piercing jewellery unless professionally advised for specific pieces. Our Lark & Berry pieces are designed to be cleaned effectively with gentler methods, and our in-store cleaning is always the safest professional option.
• Over-Cleaning New Piercings: Cleaning more than twice a day can irritate a new piercing and delay healing. Stick to the recommended routine.

Tips for Keeping Your Lab-Grown Diamonds & Gemstones Sparkling

Your Lark & Berry lab-grown diamonds and gemstones are chosen for their exceptional beauty and ethical origins. To maintain their dazzling sparkle:

• Regular, Gentle Cleaning: The most effective way to keep them brilliant is by preventing build-up from oils, lotions, and daily grime using the gentle cleaning methods described above.
• Professional In-Store Cleaning: Take advantage of our complimentary lifetime cleaning service at any Lark & Berry store to ensure your pieces are always looking their best.
• Store Properly When Not Worn: If you remove your piercing jewellery, store pieces separately in a soft pouch or lined jewellery box to prevent scratching.
• Mindful Application of Cosmetics: Apply lotions, perfumes, hairsprays, and makeup *before* putting on your fine jewellery to minimise direct contact and residue.

With proper care and our support, your Lark & Berry lab-grown gemstones will retain their fire and brilliance for a lifetime.

When to Seek Advice

If you notice persistent redness, swelling, or discharge from your piercing, or if you are unsure how to clean a particularly intricate piece of jewellery, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can email us at hello@larkandberry.com or book a consultation with our piercing specialists. We are here to help ensure both your piercing and your jewellery remain in perfect condition.