Deity jewellery is worn every day and handled during seva, snan and shringaar, so a little care goes a long way. These tips are for the kind of pieces most devotees use, including Kritima's: AD (American diamond) stone, kundan, meena, semi-precious pearl, and gold-polish or silver-polish jewellery for Laddu Gopal, Radha Krishna, Shrinathji, Mata Rani and other idols.
1. Take jewellery off before abhishek or snan
Milk, curd, honey, ghee and water are the biggest causes of dull polish and loose stones. Remove the mukut, haar, earrings and bangles before abhishek, and put them back only once the idol is completely dry.
2. Keep it away from sandalwood, kumkum, attar and oil
Chandan paste, kumkum, attar and diya oil can stain stones and wear down gold polish. Apply tilak and attar first, let them settle, then dress the deity. If any paste touches a piece, wipe it off the same day.
3. Clean gently with a dry, soft cloth
After each use, wipe pieces with a soft, dry cotton or microfibre cloth. For dust in the settings, use a soft, dry makeup brush or a new soft toothbrush. Do not dip polished or kundan jewellery in water and do not use soap, sanitiser, toothpaste or silver-cleaning liquid. These strip the polish.
4. Pearl and meena pieces need extra care
Semi-precious pearls lose their shine with moisture and perfume. Wipe them with a dry cloth only. Meena (enamel) work can chip if knocked, so store it where it will not rub against other pieces.
5. Store each piece separately
Keep jewellery in its box or in small zip pouches with a piece of tissue or cotton, away from bathrooms and damp walls. Storing pieces separately stops chains tangling and stones scratching each other. A small packet of silica gel in the box helps during the monsoon.
6. Check settings before every festival
Before Janmashtami, Navratri, Diwali or any special shringaar, look over each piece for loose stones, bent hooks or weak threads. Small repairs are easier before a stone falls out.
7. Choose the right size
A mukut or choker that is too tight is pushed and pulled every day and wears out faster. Laddu Gopal idols are sized by number (0 No, 1 No, 2 No and upwards), and every Kritima product lists the sizes it fits along with measurements in inches and cm. If you are unsure, WhatsApp a photo of your idol to +91 62677 19149.
Quick answers
Can I wash deity jewellery in water?
No. Water dulls gold and silver polish and loosens glued stones. Wipe with a dry soft cloth instead.
How do I make AD stone jewellery shine again?
Brush the stones gently with a soft, dry brush to remove dust and residue, then polish with a dry microfibre cloth.
How often should I change my deity's jewellery?
There is no fixed rule. Many devotees keep a daily set and a festival set. Rotating sets lets each piece rest and lasts longer.