Gold can become some of the prettiest and most elegant pieces of jewelry. Gold is timeless and signifies wealth and expense as well as looking effortlessly beautiful.
It is a popular choice of metal for wedding bands, necklaces, and earrings, and other pieces of jewelry that can become heirlooms and treasured goods.
When a metal can last so long it is bound to pick up dirt across the course of its life and what was once shiny and new can look dull and beaten. But, no need to worry about that as there are several ways that you can shine up your gold jewelry to make it look brand new once again.
So if you have a few precious items made from gold that need a little washing to become beautiful and shining again, we are here to help. We have researched and found the best ways that will clean up your jewelry so that they sparkle once more.
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Properties Of Gold
When gold is pure it will always be 24 karats, for that is gold at its natural state and properties. If however, you have gold jewelry that is less than 24 karats, that simply means it has been mixed with other metals (alloys) to help and increase the durability of the jewelry.
Mixing gold with other metals improves the longevity of the product and is especially useful for those with more active lifestyles as the jewelry will survive a lot longer than pure gold would.
How To Clean Your Gold Jewelry
When it comes to cleaning up your gold jewelry, it is always best to use the most natural cleaning products. This will protect the metal as gold is a very soft and delicate material that can easily be damaged by improper cleaning.
Method 1
You Will Need:
- Dish detergent (gentle)
- Ammonia
- Small soft toothbrush
- Warm Water
- Bowl
- Paper Towel
This method uses products that are likely to be lying around the home, thus making it an inexpensive but still effective solution to cleaning your jewelry. Most of the products are easy to find online or within stores.
Step 1: Mix a small amount of the dish detergent with lukewarm water. It is important that the detergent is gentle to protect the gold. It is also important that the water is lukewarm and not hot – because gold is a soft metal that can bend when placed in hot conditions.
Step 2: Add a couple of drops of ammonia to your solution and mix them. This is the solution that will act as the cleaning agent. Only a very small amount of ammonia is needed.
Step 3: Take a small and soft-bristled toothbrush to apply the mixture you have just created onto your jewelry. A baby toothbrush is best for this as they are smaller and softer than regular toothbrushes. It is also worth noting that you should brush too hard or roughly otherwise you can damage or scratch the gold.
Step 4: Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and insert your jewelry. Use the water to rinse your gold and wash off all of the cleaning products.
Step 5: Leave your jewelry to air dry, or alternatively gently pat dry with a paper towel.
Step 6: Repeat the above process if it is still necessary.
Always remember that gold is a soft metal and needs to be treated with care, especially during the brushing and drying process.
Method 2
This is a very similar method to the first one we described but uses slightly different ingredients to create the cleaning agent and a slightly different technique. Neither method works better than the other, it all depends on what works best for you and your jewelry.
You Will Need:
- Baby Shampoo
- Two Bowls of Lukewarm Water
- Soft Bristled Brush
- Soft lint-free Cloth
Step 1: Fill one bowl of water with lukewarm water – remember the water mustn’t be too hot or else you could damage your gold. Add a couple of drops of the baby shampoo. Baby shampoo works best because it is very mild and isn’t likely to damage the jewelry. Mix together so that you are left with a soapy solution.
Step 2: Leave your jewelry to soak in the solution for at least 10 minutes. This will allow dirt and grime to loosen so that it will be easier for you to scrub off.
Step 3: Once the jewelry has soaked for an adequate amount of time, remove the items and gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush. Again, you can use a baby toothbrush for this. A brush with soft bristles isn’t likely to scratch the surface of your jewelry.
Step 4: Fill a second bowl with lukewarm water and use it to rinse your gold jewelry. It is important that you rinse thoroughly so that you don’t leave any soapy residue on your items.
Step 5: To dry your jewelry, use a lint-free cloth. You can also use this cloth to polish up your items too. Using a lint-free cloth ensures that no threads or fuzz will be left behind.
How To Clean Gold Plated Jewelry
Gold plated jewelry is different from gold jewelry as only the top of the product is coated with gold. This can make products more affordable and durable, however does mean that it is more prone and likely to tarnish.
To avoid this from happening, treat your plated jewelry with care and polish with a lint-free cloth to keep it shiny.
Keep your jewelry away from products such as perfumes and lotions and always remember to remove them before making contact with water. Store your items in a cool and dry place to protect the product.
The gold the jewelry is plated with can wear down over time, so it is important to protect it to help with the longevity of the product.
What To Avoid When Cleaning Gold Jewelry
When it comes to cleaning your gold jewelry there are a number of products that you should avoid using. This is because they are potentially hazardous and can damage or ruin the jewelry if used on it.
These products include soap (with unknown ingredients) and chlorine (this chemical can permanently discolor your jewelry).
It is also important to remember to remove your jewelry when showering, doing the dishes, swimming, or any other activity that involves water, or else your jewelry may tarnish.
Cleaning Gold With Gem Stones
If the jewelry you want to clean also has gemstones, especially colored ones, it is recommended that you visit a jeweler and ask them for the best advice to follow.
This is because a jeweler will know what products are safe to use on your specific gemstones that won’t damage or harm them. Especially if your jewelry is valuable to you, it is always the best idea to visit a jeweler and get their professional opinion.
A jeweler will also be able to safely clean your jewelry for you if you don’t want to risk doing it yourself at home.
Visit A Jeweler
If none of the methods described above work for you, take your jewelry to your local jeweler who will have specialty products and solutions to clean the jewelry for you.
