How to clean your gold jewelry like a pro

Gold jewelry holds a very particular place in every one of our hearts, whether it be for dazzling wedding bands or priceless keepsakes. Gold jewelry needs to be properly maintained in order to ensure that it will continue to radiate unrivaled beauty each time it is worn. The brilliance that should be present in jewelry can be dulled over time by factors such as exposure to dust, detergents, sweat, air, etc. Hence it is true that, these factors can make your favorite pieces of jewelry appear less sparkling. But, did you know that the majority of these jewelry including gold in your jewelry box can be cleaned on your own without the assistance of a specialist jeweler.

When should you clean your gold jewelry? How often?

This quote is from a couple of renowned jeweler Sophie Arnott. She says and we quote, "I would suggest cleaning your jewels every few weeks to keep them looking brilliant. However, I wouldn't recommend that you constantly polish your gold jewelries again and again because doing so can cause those to wear away more quickly. She further elaborates saying that, she would try to give my jewelry a new shine once every few months by buffing it with a polishing cloth.

What are the unique characteristics of gold?

We thought that, it would be better to be vigilant about the characteristics of gold before diving into more facts. Let’s start. 

Gold, like the other noble metals, is resistant to corrosion caused by moisture as well as oxidation. This is one of the reasons that gold is used in jewelry. The other main reason is that gold resists oxidation better than silver. Because its luster may be preserved without regular polishing, it requires very little upkeep on the part of the owner.

This means that if it is maintained in the appropriate manner, gold can last forever. Because it is a soft metal, as opposed to some of the other noble metals that were listed earlier on. Gold can also be being melted down and recycled. The majority of the time, people who own gold jewelry aren't interested in having it melted down; rather, they want attractive pieces that will hold up throughout time. However, gold in its purest form is so delicate that it can easily be destroyed. This is one reason why jewelers frequently work with gold alloys while producing jewelry. 

Enough with the characteristics, now let’s discuss about cleaning gold jewelry.

The Proper Way to Use Dish Soap to Clean Gold

Do not wonder when I say that using regular dish soap on gold jewelries that you possess is an effective way to remove any residue that may be there. Using warm water and soap as one of the cleaning methods that are good for your gold jewelry is one of the methods.

Even though you might be doubtful at first, you can clean your gold jewelry using nothing more than soap and water. This approach achieves the finest results when applied to gold objects that are unadorned and do not contain any jewels. It is recommended to select a mild version, adding one to two tablespoons of the solution to a mixing bowl filled with warm water, and soaking the gold for around 10-15 minutes.

The next step is to give it a light scrubbing with a cloth made of microfiber to remove any debris or surface imperfections that the dishwashing liquid alone was unable to release. Here it is advised to be gentle as much as possible. The reason is that, you don't want to scrub the gold too forcefully, otherwise you will leave scratches on the surface.

These little scratches will become more noticeable as time passes. After using warm water to remove any soap residue, pat the surface dry with a clean cloth while taking care not to scratch it.

How to Use Salt and Baking Soda to Clean Gold?

When it comes to cleaning gold, a combination of salt and baking soda seems to be surprisingly efficient. When brought together, they produce a chemical reaction that contributes to the removal of tarnish.

Here it is recommended to should use equal proportions of salt and baking salt. For an example, one tablespoon of salt and one tablespoon of baking soda. Put both of these ingredients into a mixing dish filled with hot water, and then soak your gold for about ten minutes.

If more cleaning is required, use a brush with soft bristles to give it a light scrubbing to remove any residue. After that, wash it with some warm water and wipe it dry with a cloth.

The Methods for Cleaning Gold Using Sparkling Water

Gold can also be cleaned with sparkling water. The beneficial effect comes from the carbon dioxide. Carbonation assists in the removal of buildup or tarnish, allowing gold to regain its bright and shiny appearance.

Put the gold in a basin that's been filled with sparkling water. Then let it sit there for ten minutes. Make sure that the gold is thoroughly covered by the liquid. If necessary, give it a light scrubbing with a toothbrush with soft bristles, then rinse it with warm water and pat it dry.

Cleaning Gold Using Gold Cleaner

There is a wide variety of gold cleaners available on the market that are designed for use in professional settings and may restore luster to gold that has substantially dulled. You can get them on the internet or at big box retailers that specialize in home improvement or general products.

Here are some products that consistently earn high marks. 

• Tarn-X Tarnish Remover
• Hagerty Silver Foam
• Connoisseurs Precious Jewelry Cleaner

Now that you have a better grasp on the characteristics of gold jewelry, and how to carry out gold cleaning process on your own. The following advice will help you determine what activities you may carry out safely at home and which ones you should steer clear of. Let’s start with the Do’s.

Do’s

• When washing your gold, do clean it with warm water and not hot water.
• Combine a couple of drops of ammonia, a couple of drops of mild detergent, and a few drops of warm water.
• Do not rush through the cleaning process. Rather, give your gold jewelry a few minutes to soak in the cleaning solution to help loosen any dirt or grime.
• Take into consideration how the cleaning process will influence the other components of your jewelry. Particular cleaning solutions might damage the surface of certain gemstones more than others. Suppose your gold jewelry is embedded with Pearls. Pearls, for example, have very delicate surfaces and must be cleaned with extreme caution to prevent damage.

Don’ts

• Do not use soap that has any unidentified components. Even if it is safe to clean gold using mild dishwashing soap, you should avoid using any unknown chemicals because some substances can have the same kind of effect as chlorine.
• Do not make use of any sort of cleanser that contains chlorine as one of its components. Gold can be irreparably damaged and discolored when exposed to chlorine. When using cleansers that include chlorine, it is imperative that any gold rings be removed before beginning the cleaning process.
• Do not utilize any abrasive cleaning products or cleaning rags made of paper. These compounds have the potential to etch gold surfaces and reduce the thickness of gold overlays.

Conclusion

So we think that, now you have a good idea about how to clean your gold jewelries. Let us conclude now. After giving your gold jewelry a thorough cleaning, you are free to wear it again or put it away for safekeeping. If you do decide to keep it, you should ensure that each piece of gold jewelry is kept in its own individual container to prevent it from becoming scratched or otherwise damaged. Those who have a fine gold chain ought to be hung from a hook so as to prevent the chain from becoming tangled.

You also have the option of placing the chain of a necklace or bracelet in an anti-tarnish tissue, stretching it out to its full length, then rolling the tissue up and placing it in your jewelry box in a flat position.