Quick answer: Holi colour, water and scrubbing are hard on plated jewellery. Leave good pieces at home, wear a cheap pair you do not mind, and wipe colour off with a soft damp cloth straight after, then dry fully. Never soak, scrub or use harsh chemicals. Festival dates change every year, so check a calendar and order early; delivery takes 4-15 days.
Updated October 2026
Holi is fun, loud and messy. Colour powder, water, oil and sweat all find their way into jewellery, and the damage is usually noticed a week later. This guide is about protection: what to leave at home, what to do beforehand and how to clean without making things worse.
For outfit ideas and general cleaning, we already have Holi party jewellery: what to wear and how to clean and a Holi jewellery page. Our pieces are fashion jewellery in plated brass or alloy, and a very few are genuine sterling silver; for the sterling pieces, check the listing for care notes.
Should I wear plated jewellery at all on Holi?
The safest answer is to wear very little. Colour, water and rubbing can dull a plated finish, and glued stones and pearls can loosen. If you do want to wear something, pick inexpensive pieces you will not miss, and keep your best sets for the evening gathering.
Our jewellery under Rs 300 collection is a sensible place to look for pieces you can wear without worry.
Another option is to wear no jewellery during the play and put it on afterwards, once you have washed and dried your hands and face. It sounds obvious, but a quick change before the family meal protects the pieces and still gives you a festive look for photographs.
What should I leave at home?
Leave kundan sets, pearl strings, layered necklaces and anything with glued stones. Also leave sentimental and gifted pieces. Heavy dangling earrings can be pulled by friends in a crowd, and a lost earring in coloured grass is nearly impossible to find.
If your jewellery is in good condition, keep it away from the day entirely.
If you do wear something, avoid anything with moving parts, hinges or clasps that colour could clog. A smooth bangle is easier to rinse than a chain with tiny links, and a plain stud is easier than a jhumka with beads and hooks.
How can I protect the pieces I do wear?
Choose simple pieces with fewer crevices, such as plain studs, smooth bangles and chain bracelets. Colour powder collects in grooves and around stones, and a smooth surface is easier to wipe. Do not apply oil to your skin right where jewellery sits, because powder sticks to oil and then to the metal.
Browse studs and tops and silver plated jewellery for smooth, simple designs.
Water and colour can also stain a light finish, so check your pieces for yellow or pink after the day. Wiping quickly is usually better than leaving powder to dry in the folds, but always dry the item thoroughly afterwards with a soft cloth.
How do I clean colour off after Holi?
Wipe the piece gently with a soft damp cloth as soon as you can, then dry it fully with a clean, dry cloth. For colour in crevices, a soft, dry brush works better than water. Avoid soaking, which can loosen glue and dull a plated finish.
Read our plated jewellery care guide for more on gentle cleaning.
If colour is stuck in a crevice, a soft, dry toothbrush or a cotton bud can lift it without scrubbing the finish. Work slowly and gently, and stop if you feel the finish catching. For stones, avoid pressing near the setting.
What cleaning mistakes spoil plated jewellery?
Scrubbing with a hard brush, using harsh soaps, polish or bleach, and leaving jewellery wet are the common ones. Rubbing a finish thin is permanent. If a piece looks dull, a gentle wipe is safer than a strong cleaner. Read does imitation jewellery tarnish or fade for how finishes age.
If a piece has glued stones, avoid water on it entirely and wipe only the metal.
Do not use hot water, vinegar, lemon, toothpaste or household cleaners on plated pieces, even if a tip online suggests it. These can strip a thin finish quickly, and the damage cannot be undone. A damp cloth and patience are enough.
How should I store jewellery after Holi?
Once the piece is clean and fully dry, store it in a pouch or a box away from moisture. Keep pieces separate so they do not scratch each other. Our how to store jewellery at home guide has simple ideas.
A silica packet in the box helps with humidity, especially if you live somewhere damp.
Let jewellery rest in open air for a short time before closing the box, so any hidden moisture evaporates. A small tray lined with a clean cloth works well, and you can leave it in a dry room for an hour or two before storing.
When should I order a spare pair for Holi?
Festival dates change every year, so check a calendar. Orders usually dispatch in 1-2 days and delivery takes 4-15 days across India, with free shipping. A spare pair of earrings under Rs 500 bought early means you can protect the good ones.
Browse jewellery by budget to plan.
If a piece arrives damaged, defective or wrong, report it within 2 days of delivery and we will help with a refund. For anything else, message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we can do.
Read next: simple jewellery for a Gurpurab visit and Christmas church service and lunch jewellery. For the full set, visit all festival jewellery guides.
Questions about caring for a piece? Message us on WhatsApp at +91 98705 89560. Order early, as delivery takes 4-15 days.
