🧼 How to Clean Claw Set Piercing Jewellery

by Shop Floor

Claw settings have small spaces that love to collect gunk — like oils, soap residue, and skin debris — which can dull your stone and irritate your piercing.

Here's how to clean it safely:

1. Remove the jewellery (if your piercing is fully healed).
If your piercing isn’t healed, don’t remove it — skip to our “on-body cleaning” section below.

2. Soak in warm, soapy water
Use a bowl of warm water with a drop of fragrance-free, gentle soap. Let it soak for 5–10 minutes to loosen buildup.

3. Gently scrub with a soft brush
Use a soft toothbrush or a cotton swab to clean around the claws and under the stone. Be gentle — you don’t want to bend the prongs.

4. Rinse + dry
Rinse thoroughly under warm running water and dry with a clean, lint-free cloth. Make sure no moisture is trapped under the stone.

🧽 Cleaning While It’s Still In Your Piercing (Healing or Not Removable)

  • Soak a cotton swab or pad in saline solution or sterile piercing aftercare spray.

  • Gently clean around the stone and the claws.

  • Use a dry cotton swab to remove moisture and debris.

  • Avoid twisting or rotating the jewellery.

⚠️ What to Avoid with Claw Settings

  • Sleeping on them: This is a big one. Pressure from sleeping can bend the claws over time or loosen the stone.

  • Towels, hairbrushes, or tight clothing: Claws can catch and snag, risking a bent prong or lost gem.

  • Chemicals: Harsh soaps, alcohol, perfumes, and hair dye can damage the metal or stone — especially for delicate materials like opals or foil-backed crystals.

  • Over-cleaning: Gentle is key. Aggressive scrubbing can loosen prongs.

🔍 How to Check If Your Stone Is Secure

You don’t need to be a jeweller — just do this quick check every few weeks:

  • Hold the jewellery close to your ear and gently tap or shake it.

  • If you hear a tiny rattle or see the stone move, the claws may need tightening.

  • Remove the piece and inspect: Are the prongs evenly spaced? Are any sticking out or pushed down too far?

If in doubt, stop wearing it and have it inspected by your piercer or a jeweller.

💎 Bonus Tips to Keep Your Claw Set Jewellery in Top Shape

  • Store it carefully: Keep in a soft pouch or jewellery box to avoid bending the claws.

  • Don’t wear in pools or hot tubs: Chlorine can be brutal on metals and stones.

  • Take it off during sports or workouts (if your piercing is healed) — you don’t want to risk impact.

🧚♀️ Final Thoughts

Claw-set piercing jewellery is stunning, timeless, and ultra-sparkly — but it deserves a little extra care. Keep your claws in check, your stones secure, and your sparkle at full power with regular gentle cleaning and smart handling.

Remember: a few seconds of care can save you from a missing gem, an irritated piercing, or a bent claw.

Shine bright, but take care — your jewellery will love you for it. 💫

Back to News