Brass is made to be lived in
One of the things we love most about brass is that it does not stay exactly the same.
Freshly polished brass has a warm, golden glow. As you wear it, the metal slowly reacts with air, moisture, natural oils from your skin and the world around you. Over time, you may notice your jewellery becoming slightly duller, deeper in colour or developing darker areas.
This is called tarnish or patina, and it is a natural part of owning brass jewellery.
It does not mean your jewellery is damaged or that its colour has "faded away." In most cases, the surface can simply be cleaned and polished to bring back its warm golden shine.
Some people even love the deeper, aged character brass develops over time. Others prefer it bright and polished. The beautiful part is that you can choose how you want your brass jewellery to look.
Does brass jewellery tarnish?
Yes. Brass naturally tarnishes with time.
How quickly this happens can be different for everyone. Humidity, sweat, perfume, skincare, water and even your individual skin chemistry can influence how quickly a piece changes colour.
You may first notice the brass becoming slightly dull. With more time, certain areas can become brown, dark gold or almost black.
This is normal.
Think of it less as your jewellery becoming old and more as the metal developing character through wear.
And whenever you want the original shine back, a little care usually goes a long way.
The easiest way to care for your Junuka jewellery
If your Junuka piece has started looking a little dull, begin with the cleaning powder provided with your jewellery.
Use a small amount according to the care instructions provided with the powder and gently work it over the exposed brass surface with a soft cloth. Take your time around detailed areas and avoid aggressive rubbing.
Once clean, wipe away any residue thoroughly and make sure the piece is completely dry before storing it.
Regular light cleaning is always better than waiting until a heavy layer of tarnish develops.
How to clean brass jewellery at home
If you do not have your Junuka cleaning powder with you, there are a few simple ways to clean brass jewellery at home.
For everyday dirt, fingerprints or oils, start with the gentlest method.
Mix a little mild soap with lukewarm water. Dampen a soft cloth and gently wipe your jewellery. For textured areas, you can use a very soft toothbrush without applying too much pressure.
Wipe away the soap with clean water and, most importantly, dry the jewellery completely.
Do not put a damp piece straight back into your jewellery box.
How to remove darker tarnish with lemon and baking soda
For plain solid brass pieces without stones or delicate surface finishes, lemon juice and baking soda can help with more noticeable tarnish.
Mix a small amount of lemon juice with baking soda until it forms a soft paste.
Apply a little to the tarnished brass using a soft cloth or very soft toothbrush. Rub gently rather than scrubbing aggressively. Leave it on only briefly, then rinse the piece thoroughly with clean water.
Dry it immediately and completely with a soft cloth.
You should not leave acidic mixtures sitting on brass for long periods.
And if your jewellery contains gemstones, enamel, glued elements, coatings or an intentionally dark antique finish, skip this method. Acidic cleaners can affect materials other than the brass itself.
When in doubt, use the gentlest cleaning method.
Another simple method: lemon and salt
Lemon juice with a little salt is another traditional way of removing tarnish from plain brass.
The acidity of the lemon helps loosen oxidation while the salt provides gentle abrasion.
Again, this method is better reserved for uncomplicated solid brass pieces. Rub very gently, rinse thoroughly and dry immediately.
There is no need to aggressively scrub your jewellery to make it shine.
What if my brass jewellery gets wet?
A little accidental water is not something to panic about.
If you get caught in the rain, splash water while washing your hands or accidentally wet your jewellery, simply wipe it down and dry it completely.
The bigger problem is allowing moisture to remain on the jewellery for a long time or storing it while it is still damp. Trapped moisture can encourage the brass to tarnish more quickly, particularly in humid climates.
So the simple rule is:
Wet sometimes is okay. Staying wet is not.
We still recommend removing your brass jewellery before showering, swimming or entering a pool. Chlorine, salt water, soaps and prolonged water exposure can all make the metal change faster.
Perfume, skincare and brass jewellery
A small habit can make a big difference.
Apply your perfume, moisturiser, sunscreen and other skincare products first. Give them a moment to settle into your skin, then put your jewellery on.
At the end of the day, remove your jewellery before washing your face, showering or going to bed.
You do not have to be overly precious with brass, but reducing unnecessary contact with chemicals and moisture will help it stay brighter for longer.
How to store brass jewellery
Before storing your piece, give it a quick wipe with a clean, soft cloth. This helps remove sweat, oils and moisture left behind after wearing it.
Make sure it is completely dry.
Keep brass jewellery in a dry jewellery box, pouch or separate compartment rather than leaving it in a humid bathroom or next to a sink.
Separating your pieces also helps protect them from scratches and tangling.
If you live somewhere particularly humid, keeping jewellery in a closed pouch or box when you are not wearing it can be especially helpful.
A note about jewellery with stones
Brass pieces set with stones need a little extra care.
Avoid soaking them in homemade cleaning solutions. Lemon, vinegar, baking soda and other cleaning ingredients that work on plain brass may not be suitable for every gemstone, setting or adhesive.
For these pieces, gently clean the exposed brass areas only and keep the stone itself away from strong cleaners unless you know the cleaning method is safe for that particular material.
What not to use on brass jewellery
Avoid bleach, harsh household cleaners and highly abrasive brushes or scrubbers.
We also recommend being cautious with toothpaste. Although it is sometimes suggested as a DIY jewellery cleaner, many toothpastes contain abrasive ingredients that can leave fine scratches on softer metals.
When caring for jewellery, gentler is usually better.
Let your brass tell its story
We do not believe jewellery needs to stay untouched to remain beautiful.
Wear your Junuka pieces. Take them with you. Let them become part of dinners, journeys, ordinary mornings and days you want to remember.
Brass may deepen with time. It may pick up a little patina. It may occasionally need polishing.
That is part of its character.
And whenever you want that warm golden glow again, a little care can bring it back.
Beautiful when new. Beautiful as it ages. Made to be worn and lived with.