Care Guide

Plating will show signs of wear over time, which can be prevented with a little extra TLC.

⏤ Remove jewellery before washing your hands, and avoid contact with water and sweat.
⏤ Put on your plated jewellery after you have applied your makeup, lotions or perfume to prevent contact with chemicals.
⏤ Avoid cooking in jewellery, especially while using oils, heat and acidic foods.
⏤ Remove your plated jewellery before you shower or swim and keep it away from sweat, steam, moisture and humidity.
⏤ Don't wear jewellery while working out, as weights and handles can warp the shape of your pieces.
⏤ Take your rings and bracelets off while getting your nails done to protect them from UV and chemicals.
⏤ Lightly wipe your plated jewellery to clean it, rather than rubbing.
⏤ Avoid hard or abrasive surfaces, and be mindful of contact with your phone or other solid items.
⏤ Store your plated jewellery away from direct sunlight, dampness, humid environments or chemicals.
⏤ Keep your pieces protected while you're not wearing them in an airtight container on a flat surface.

Plated jewellery is susceptible to all elements, and will fade over time. Whenever we touch or rub our pieces, we risk eroding the plating. With due care, you can prevent undue fading.

Exposure to water will exacerbate the issue, which includes sweat, hand washing, swimming and any products or lotions applied to the skin.

Air pollutants and water will also affect the appearance of plated pieces. Store your jewellery correctly when its not in use, keeping it away from moisture and hard surfaces and instead opting for an airtight bag or container.

Fading is considered natural wear and tear of jewellery items, and not considered a manufacturing fault. If you've received your piece and the plating appears imperfect or faded, please reach out to us via info@brieleon.com.

Each person’s skin has a slightly different acidity level, which can erode gold and silver plating. Those with a higher skin acidity or perspiration level may find plated jewellery fades faster on them. To reduce the chance of fading, we recommend the following steps:

⏤ Switch up the jewellery you wear each day to get the most out of your rotation.
⏤ Be particularly diligent with caring for your jewellery. Refrain from wearing your plated jewellery in water or during exercise. Apply makeup/perfume well before putting on your jewellery. 
⏤ Choose pieces with less skin contact, such as medium-large sized hoop earrings or longer chains that will sit over your clothing. Removing any opportunity for the jewellery to rub against your skin will ensure it lasts as long as possible.
⏤ Opt for our 925 sterling silver based jewellery, which has the highest micron plating and most durability.

It is important to remove your jewellery before you shower, or swim in the ocean/pool. This will keep your plated jewellery looking shiny and new for as long as possible. 

Only clean your plated jewellery by lightly wiping it using our branded cleaning cloth. Do not apply excessive pressure or rub the piece, and avoid any jewellery cleaning products or chemicals as this will also erode the plating. Do not use any jewellery cleaning products as this too will remove the plating. This also applies for any jewellery with stones, pearls or beads. 

If your pieces are in storage or unworn for long periods of time, they may show signs of discolouration or dullness. When you're not wearing your jewellery, store everything in an airtight bag or container and away from direct sunlight. We recommend using the dust bag originally provided with your order.

Like plated jewellery, any embellishments such as pearls, beads and gemstones are delicate and need to be cared for properly. We recommend:

⏤ Avoid chemicals such as cleaning products, makeup, sunscreen, lotion and perfumes.
⏤ Stay away from hard surfaces that may chip, scratch or shatter pearls, glass beads and gemstones.
⏤ Store your pieces away from direct sunlight, dampness, humid environments or chemicals. Embellishments are typically glued into a metal base, which is especially affected by heat and chemicals.
⏤ Lightly wipe your jewellery to clean it and avoid excessive pressure at all times.

Brass will naturally patina over time and show signs of wear, which is part of its charm and aesthetic appeal.

Depending on your skin type, your piece may leave a green tinge after long periods of wear. Stay away from water, oils, lotions and sweat.

You may choose to coat your brass pieces with a clear nail varnish to prevent signs of wear and textural irregularities. Polish with your jewellery cloth as necessary.

All Brie Leon styles are made using innovative alternatives to animal products. We are currently phasing out all virgin materials for our handbags, instead working with ethical or post-consumer recycled fabrics.

Vegan Leather is created from a range of sources, both natural and synthetic. As technology advances, so do we, engaging textiles proven to be as durable as animal hide, without the harm.

Read about our full range of textiles and innovation here.

With the right amount of love and care, your Brie Leon bag will last a lifetime. To get the most out of your vegan leather bag, we recommend the following:

⏤ Store away from direct or filtered sunlight, heat and humidity in a cool, dry place. Ensure adequate ventilation during storage, and ensure it stays upright to prevent distortion. Do not hang by the handle while not in use, and store only with like colours.
⏤ Keep your bag away from abrasive surfaces and anything that may scratch the outer.
⏤ Avoid chemicals, lotions, perfumes and oils. Refrain from using leather care products, and simply dust with a lightly damp cloth.
⏤ Flat PU and patent textiles are more susceptible to scratches and marks. Keep your bag away from any other textures, and store in our branded dustbag to prevent marks.

Whilst vegan leather is generally easier to care for than leather, it is still important to remember that your bag is not indestructible. Be mindful of anything that may mark or stain your bag, and follow our advice as follows:

⏤ Dust or wipe clean with a damp, lint-free cloth. Steer clear of any leather care products as our bags are sensitive to oils and waxes. Instead, spot clean with warm water. If your bag has a dust or light dirt mark, use warm water and a fragrance-free soap on a soft cloth.
⏤ For embossed or textured surfaces, you can use a dampened toothbrush to gently clean between the grooves. Avoid excessive pressure. Take care to avoid the metallic foil logo - the foil won't take kindly to being scrubbed.
⏤ For stubborn marks, add mild dish detergent to your cloth or sponge. Avoid using an abrasive cloth or harsh cleaning products as they can damage the surface.
⏤ Eucalyptus oil is the final frontier, if the mark refuses to shift - a small amount on a clean cloth and rubbing gently should yield positive results. Avoid the foil logo, which can be damaged by oils and pressure.

We recommend you avoid wearing your new light coloured handbag with dark coloured clothing, including indigo denim and dark leathers.

Store your piece with like colours, being mindful of dye transfer between other accessories and apparel.

If your bag has marks or transfer, follow the cleaning advice above.

Raffia is derived from a raffia palm tree and can often be confused with straw. Although both are natural and durable products, they are very different in both their origin and attributes. 

Over time, you may notice edges of your raffia pieces begin to lose tension and fray. This is expected with a natural fibre, and can be reduced with due care.

While it has a natural resistance to water, raffia is not waterproof. If it becomes water soaked, it will lose a considerable amount of body and may dry differently.

Stay away from water and direct sunlight to ensure the longevity and shape of your raffia piece. Spot clean

Store in its original dust bag in a ventilated area. We recommend filling the bag with tissue paper or soft textiles to keep its shape.

Satin needs more maintenance and consideration than other options. As a woven textile, it has a lustre and glossy sheen, however it is also more prone to pulling and tears.

Be especially mindful of wearing the bag against textured clothing or rough surfaces. Any slight abrasion can cause a pull in the satin.

Be careful not to stain the bag with food, lotions or oils, which tend to sink in to satin. If the bag does get dirty we recommend talking to your local dry cleaner to see if they are able to spot treat the stain.

Store your satin piece in our branded dust bag when not in use. Keep away from sunlight and moisture in a well ventilated area.

Nylon is a hardy material, and can withstand more than most other textiles.

If your bag has stains or marks, we recommend spot cleaning with warm water and a lint-free cloth. For stubborn stains, use a mild dish soap. Avoid submerging the bag completely, and do not rub or soak any metal hardware or logos.

Store out of direct sunlight in a well ventilated area.

Despite their appearance, sesin handbags are delicate and the smooth surface can be easily scratched.

Avoid excessive pressure or dropping the bag, which can cause the resin to shatter.

Clean with a damp, lint-free cloth and store away from sunlight and moisture.