Gold vermeil pieces feature a layer of gold plating placed over a sterling silver base, so the goal is to clean them gently, removing oils and grime without scrubbing through the gold. As such, the safest cleaning method is to use a combo of mild dish soap and lukewarm water, cleansing with a soft jewelry polishing cloth, followed by a thorough drying with another soft cloth or paper towel.
Below, you’ll get advice from Vincent Spilotro, vice president of Arezzo Jewelers in Elmwood Park, Ill., plus a simple step-by-step guide on how to clean gold vermeil jewelry. We’ve also compiled a ‘do not do this’ list, a tarnish troubleshooting guide, and a quick decision table for when to stop and see a jeweler.
What You Will Learn
Should You Be Cleaning Your Gold Vermeil Jewelry?
It’s important that you’re cleaning your vermeil jewelry regularly if:
- You wear it daily
- It’s starting to look dull
- It’s showing off dark spots or tarnish
- You want to keep the piece’s gold layer intact as long as possible
However, pause before you begin cleaning and confirm the following:
- Do you see “925” or “vermeil” stamped onto the piece? It’s important to confirm that what you’re cleaning is actually vermeil jewelry (versus plated or filled jewelry) before moving forward.
- Are there any loose stones or cracks in the jewelry? If so, go to a professional and don’t attempt any DIY cleaning.
- Is the piece dull due to oil or grime, or is it tarnished? Depending on which it is, you may need to adjust your next steps accordingly.
If you really want to keep your jewelry protected, consider also getting a jewelry insurance quote today.
| What you’re seeing on your jewelry | What you need to do next | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Light smudges/oil | Give the jewelry a 60-second gentle clean. | The light smudges and oil will likely come off with a very gentle clean. |
| Dull overall finish | Do a longer (but still gentle) clean, and consider better, dedicated jewelry storage. | This is more likely to give you the results you want without requiring an aggressive clean. |
| Dark patches or silver showing | Go to a professional jeweler. | Scrubbing can make things worse by removing even more of the soft metal. A jeweler can advise you on whether or not replating is possible. |
Vermeil Jewelry vs Gold-Plated Jewelry vs Gold-Filled Jewelry (Jewelry Care Implications)
If you think you might be dealing with gold-plated or gold-filled jewelry versus vermeil, you may need to change your cleaning tactics accordingly:
- For vermeil jewelry, be gentle and avoid exposing the jewelry to water and harsh chemicals.
- For gold-plated jewelry, use the gentlest cleaning methods possible.
- Gold-filled jewelry will be the most durable out of the three, but if you want it to last, you still need to take good care of it and follow cleaning best practices.
How to Clean Vermeil Jewelry
- Inspect the jewelry for loose stones or other damage. If you notice damage, don’t clean it yourself; take it to a jeweler instead.
- Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and mild dish soap. Avoid harsh chemicals.
- Dip a soft microfiber cloth into the mixture and gently wipe the jewelry. No hard scrubbing is required.
- If your jewelry has a lot of crevices, use a soft-bristle brush to get in between tight spaces.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue.
- Dry the jewelry immediately and thoroughly, using another dry microfiber cloth to buff the jewelry to a shine.
- Let the piece air dry fully before you store it in a dry place.
How often should you clean your gold vermeil jewelry? While a light wipe after each wear is sufficient, we’d recommend a deep clean as outlined above every month or so.
“The best thing to do is to have a dedicated place to put your items when you’re done wearing them,” Spilotro says. “That way, they’ll always be taken care of.”
What to Avoid
If you’re not careful, the cleaning process may strip the gold-plated layer off your gold vermeil jewelry, or worse. Spilotro recalls a client who “microwaved the ring in a bowl of water and melted it. I’m surprised he didn’t explode anything.”
Certain lifestyle choices also may reduce the gold layer’s lifespan. Take the following precautions:
- Don’t use abrasive substances to clean vermeil jewelry. No toothpaste, baking soda pastes, abrasive cleaning cloths, or sponges.
- Avoid soaking the piece for extended periods of time.
- Don’t expose the jewelry to chemicals found in perfumes, hair products, lotions, cleaners, polishing agents, etc.
- Don’t wear the jewelry while Exposure to both salt water and chlorinated water can cause damage.
- Don’t clean the jewelry in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner unless you’ve spoken to a jeweler first.
“Ultrasonic cleaners basically vibrate the piece at a microscopic level, but very, very strongly,” Spilotro says. “So, if you have a diamond ring and you do your ultrasonic at home, there’s a chance it will pop a stone out of there. It’s a good cleaning method, but I’d rather it be me doing the ultrasonic cleaning, since I can fix any issues afterward.”
When Should You Go to a Professional Jeweler?
You should go to a professional jeweler to clean your vermeil jewelry if the piece has loose stones, if you’re seeing deep grime within the settings, or if you don’t feel comfortable DIY cleaning it at home due to sentimental reasons. If you’re seeing visible wear-through that’s exposing the base metal, this is also a sign that the restoration and maintenance required can’t be done at home.
“If what you’re seeing is discoloration rather than just a lack of shine, that’s also something that you should bring to a jeweler to polish out,” Spilotro says.
A jeweler will use specialized methods to clean your pieces and return them to their original condition safely, and far better than you’d be able to.
Tarnishing vs. Discoloration Troubleshooting
To know whether you’re dealing with tarnishing or discoloration, consider the following:
- Is the jewelry dull, but still obviously gold? You’re likely just dealing with oil buildup that can be solved with a gentle clean.
- Are you seeing dark edges or patches? These might be due to exposure and wear and tear. Follow best practices for jewelry care and avoid cleaning the piece too aggressively.
- Is the piece turning silver? That means the gold layer is thinning. Cleaning won’t rectify this; rather, take the piece to a jeweler to see if it can be re-plated.
Learn more about tarnishing and what to do if your jewelry is tarnished.
How to Know What to Do
| If you’re wondering … | Check… | Then… |
|---|---|---|
| “Can I clean my jewelry at home?” | For any loose stones or other visible damage. | Take the piece to a professional instead of cleaning it at home. |
| “Why is my jewelry getting dull so fast?” | What lifestyle choices could be impacting your jewelry, like wearing it in the shower, exposure to cosmetics, etc. | Change your habits and see if your jewelry stays cleaner for longer. |
| “Is the piece tarnished or worn through?” | For color-change patterns. | See a professional for next steps. If the jewelry is turning silver, cleaning at home won’t restore the gold. |
| “Should I polish my jewelry?” | How thin the layer of gold over the base metal is. | If the layer has thinned (ideally, the layer should be at least 2.5 microns thick), see a professional. |
FAQs | How to Clean Tarnished Gold Vermeil Jewelry
Can you use jewelry cleaner on gold vermeil?
Traditional, chemical-heavy jewelry cleaners are not advised for any jewelry, including gold vermeil; instead, use a gentle mix of warm water and dish soap to clean any jewelry and, if that doesn’t do the trick, take the piece to a professional.
Can you use a polishing cloth on vermeil?
Yes, it’s perfectly suitable to use a polishing cloth to spruce up vermeil jewelry.
Can you shower or swim with gold vermeil jewelry?
It’s not advisable to shower or swim with any jewelry, including gold vermeil jewelry. Chlorinated water, salt water, and even the products you use in the shower can harm precious metals and stones.
Can you clean vermeil with baking soda or toothpaste?
No, you should never clean jewelry with baking soda and toothpaste. This can be too abrasive and will harm the jewelry.
What should I do if my vermeil is turning silver?
If your vermeil jewelry is turning silver, it may be a sign that the gold layer on top of the base layer is rubbing off. Take the jewelry to a professional jeweler to decide on the best next steps.
Keep the Glow — Not the Wear
By sticking to a gentle cleaning regime and avoiding water and chemicals, you can minimize damage to your vermeil jewelry and ensure that it stays in pristine conditions for as long as possible.
Keep your jewelry protected against loss, accidental damage, and theft, through comprehensive insurance coverage. Get your jewelry insurance quote today.
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