Pure gold is a highly soft metal, so everyday activities can scratch and dent it. Many solid gold jewelry pieces are crafted from 18K or 14K pure gold, alloyed with other metals that are harder, like copper, zinc, or platinum, to make them more durable. However, these alloys can react with the air, water, and chemicals, causing your gold jewelry to become tarnished.
Layers of debris can also build up due to chemical cleaners, makeup, skin cells, and sebum, diminishing the shine of your gold jewelry and potentially leading to corrosion. Cleaning gold jewelry on a regular basis is necessary to maintain its visual appeal and overall value.
A professional jeweler is equipped with tools, like an ultrasonic cleaner, to polish and clean your jewelry so it looks new again. However, preventative maintenance and cleaning jewelry at home with a simple jewelry cleaning solution can help your gold jewelry retain its shine if you can’t have your jewelry professionally cleaned routinely.
What You Will Learn
Cleaning Your Gold Jewelry
Depending on how often you wear your gold or gold plated jewelry, you may need to clean it weekly.
Here’s what to clean gold with at home:
Here are the supplies:
- Warm water
- A soft toothbrush
- Dish soap (such as Dawn)
- Ammonia (a couple of drops); not suitable for white gold jewelry
- Jewelry polishing cloth/Soft cloth/Soft lint free cloth/Soft microfiber cloth
Here are the steps:
Wondering what’s the best way to clean gold jewelry? Here’s how:
To make this cleaning solution, mix the dish soap and a few drops of ammonia in lukewarm water in a small bowl or shallow dish. Allow your gold jewelry to soak in a bowl filled with the warm water solution for 5 to 10 minutes, especially if it is extremely dirty. Avoid submerging gold jewelry with gemstones if it features emeralds, coral, opals, wood, or bone. Water and cleaning chemicals can absorb into porous surfaces and cause permanent structural and color changes.
Use the soft bristled toothbrush to gently and carefully brush the piece and help you reach those recessed areas and remove that stubborn dirt. Blot or gently pat excess water using a lint-free cloth and allow your gold jewelry to air dry on a paper towel.
Once dry, you can use a polishing cloth to remove watermarks and polish the piece. Polishing cloths are typically infused with metal protectants, such as micro-abrasives, to prevent scratching and an anti-tarnish sealant. Rub the clean gold jewelry in small circular motions until it shines.
Helpful Tips for Caring for Your Gold Jewelry
In addition to routine cleanings for your gold pieces, follow these tips to ensure they retain their luster and value.
- Don’t wear gold jewelry while doing strenuous activities. Sweat is slightly acidic (pH 6.3), which can corrode your gold jewelry over time. Since gold is a soft metal, some activities can warp or scratch the gold easily.
- Do not wear gold jewelry in chlorinated a pool or hot tub. Chlorine bleach leeches the metals from gold alloys like zinc and nickel, causing microscopic bubbles to develop. This can make your gold jewelry brittle and more prone to breakage.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals. Cleaning with chemicals like ammonia or abrasive materials and cleaners while wearing white gold jewelry can remove the rhodium plating. These types of cleaners can also scratch or damage gemstones and stone settings.
- Remove your jewelry before bathing. Wearing your gold jewelry in the bath or shower can lead to a build-up of soap residue from various body washes and other cleansers. If you live in an area with hard water, your gold jewelry may develop calcium and magnesium deposits, leaving water stains.
- Put your jewelry on last when getting ready . Perfumes, cosmetics, skin care products, and hair styling products contain harsh chemicals that can damage gold jewelry or form a sticky residue on the surface, diminishing the piece’s luster. Limit the exposure by adding your clean gold jewelry to your outfit last.
- Store your jewelry properly. After you wear or clean your gold jewelry, always store your piece in a cool, dry place. Use a felt or velvet-lined jewelry box or travel roll. Or keep each piece stored in separate compartments inside a jewelry cabinet to prevent them from rubbing or scratching each other.
Protect Your Gold Jewelry With Insurance From BriteCo™
Cleaning gold jewelry regularly at home is essential to preserve the shine and quality of your jewelry. You should also take your collection to professional jewelers once a year for a thorough deep cleaning, inspection, and repair. Professional cleaning involves the jeweler inspecting every piece before placing it into the ultrasonic machines to ensure there are no loose gemstones and return your gold jewelry in tip top shape.
With Fine Jewelry Insurance from BriteCo™, you receive 5-star rated, worldwide coverage worth up to 125% of the jewelry’s appraised value. We offer convenient monthly or annual payments with zero deductibles when you make a claim.
In addition to comprehensive coverage for loss, theft, damage, or mysterious disappearance, we also include complimentary maintenance and repairs. This includes stone tightening, prong re-tipping, necklace stringing, and clasp repair.
Apply online and receive confirmation within minutes. Or contact BriteCo™ using our live chat or email us to learn more.
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