The glimmer and shine of gold jewellery are unrivalled, even though this accessory has stood the test of time. In addition, because it exudes elegance, we adore donning it not just daily but also for formal occasions. If you just leave your gold jewellery out in the open, it won't rust. 

However, wearing your gold jewellery consistently may develop a film composed of body oils and grease. Therefore, it is only natural for them to become less shiny over time. If you take the time to give your valuable gold jewellery the attention and care it deserves, you can lengthen the time it takes to lose its lustre by keeping it in good condition for longer. Whether you have yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold, taking care of it properly requires you to keep your gold jewellery in good condition even when you're not wearing it and to clean it regularly to eliminate the odd tarnish. So please take the time to read the following advice to learn how to care for your gold jewellery at home properly.

Make sure that your gold jewellery is clean before you put it away.

The colour of the gold jewellery will shift, and it will take on an aged appearance if exposed to sweat. Therefore, you must remove all traces of sweat from the jewellery pieces before keeping them. To avoid scratching them, it is best to put them in a jewellery box that has many slots or to store them individually in the boxes in which they were originally packaged.

Wear and use them properly

To keep your gold jewellery in good condition, you must wear it appropriately and avoid damaging it via normal wear and tear. It is recommended that you take off any jewellery you frequently wear, such as rings, or bangles, before engaging in activities such as taking a shower, washing dishes, etc. Soap and chemical contact can cause the gold jewellery to become oxidized and dull, making it necessary to clean it more frequently.

Always remove them before getting into a pool or other water activity. In the same way that other chemicals can leave a lasting stain on gold, so can the chlorine found in pool water. Wait to put on your party jewellery until you feel completely ready. The accumulation of residue and particles on the metal due to direct contact with liquids can cause significant damage to the material.

Avoid exposing gold jewellery to chemicals.

Without a doubt, the chemical can immediately damage your gold jewellery. Even common household chemicals such as hairspray, cosmetics, and other such products can cause the precious metal to change colour. They are also able to damage the stones that have studs in them. Be sure to apply fragrance or makeup to areas of your body that do not contain jewellery. You are recommended not to store your precious gold jewellery on the dressing table where you keep your makeup, lotions, etc. Keep any gold jewellery with studded detailing away from excessive heat and light.

We strongly recommend that owners of gold jewellery refrain from immediately spraying their plated pieces or solid gold jewellery with perfume. According to a fashion designer, "depending on the scent, the chemicals can trigger a reaction analogous to oxidation," which, in layman's terms, means that it can turn your gold black. Of course, it's possible to undo it, but if you're caught off guard, it could be a bit of a surprise.

Schedule cleaning at least once per year

What does this mean? The recommendations above are excellent methods you can regularly use to maintain the condition of your beautiful gold jewellery. However, performing such actions on your own is not sufficient. It is highly recommended that you have your jewellery cleaned by a professional once every six months and examined once a year for damage.

Please keep them in a safe place.

Keep your gold jewellery as secure as possible, not only because it is costly but also because it needs to be preserved in a certain way to avoid getting scratched or coming into contact with any chemicals. Never store your gold jewellery with any other type, especially imitation jewellery. Gold is a soft metal. Therefore it can quickly become damaged or bent out of its original shape.

Keep your pieces organized and separate by storing them on velvet-lined trays, in boxes with sections, in little plastic bags with zippers, or in cloth pouches. Doing so will minimize scratches and tangles. If you don't have enough room to put each item away separately, try wrapping each item in cotton or gentle cloth. If you want to keep your gold bracelets and chains from getting tangled up, it's best to hang them up.

Clean your gold jewellery

When caring for gold jewellery, cleaning is a vital step that must be taken. Regular cleaning will prevent buildup and grime from accumulating, allowing your jewellery to retain its lustre throughout the year. You may thoroughly clean your gold jewellery at home by soaking it in a solution of some mild dish detergent and warm water for a few hours. 

After allowing them to soak for fifteen minutes, remove them and wash them in clean water. After that, dry it off with a towel. Steer clear of using tissue paper or other firm materials, as these might leave scratches and dents on the metal surface. Before wearing any of the pieces or putting them away, give them time to dry appropriately on a soft towel.

Conclusion

We know what you are thinking, and we agree that this is a lot of work for your jewels. And the majority of us will only go beyond ensuring that your jewellery is kept dry and stowed away in the appropriate fabric pouches, and that's okay. However, if you are head over heels in love with a specific item that you want to retain for a very long time, you are aware of the measures you can take to protect gold jewellery!

Gold is one of the safest investments. It is mainly because its value can remain stable for several decades. Everybody knows that if you don't care for gold, it can tarnish and lose its brilliance over time. You won't get the best price if you want to sell your tarnished gold.

Then, what are you supposed to do with gold that has become tarnished? Giving your gold a thorough cleaning at home may bring back its lustre and increase its worth. This article will discuss how to protect your gold jewellery from tarnishing.

Does gold tarnish, and if yes, why and how?

When your gold jewellery begins to tarnish, the colour of the jewellery will begin to change. It indicates that the surface of the gold is beginning to develop a tarnish coating and is experiencing very mild corrosion. There is a great deal of conjecture around the question of whether genuine gold tarnishes or not. But let us describe in detail the process by which gold jewellery does so.

Gold is considered one of the elements with the lowest level of reactivity. Gold is recognized as the "least reactive element." Gold, in its purest state, is resistant to oxidation and corrosion because it does not mix well with oxygen. That is why pure gold retains its lustre to such a high degree.

When shopping for gold jewellery, it isn't easy to locate pieces made entirely of gold. Because pure gold is so malleable, it must be alloyed with other metals before it can be made into long-lasting jewellery. So, who is the culprit? Is it gold or other metal? In most cases, the qualities of the metals combined with gold to create alloys make the gold more susceptible to tarnishing. If you do not take proper care of your gold jewellery, you may notice that it begins to tarnish.

If you are interested in purchasing gold jewellery with a longer lifespan and less likely to tarnish, you should go for a higher-karat gold. For instance, 24-carat gold will not tarnish over time because it is made of pure gold. Jewellery with a gold content of fewer than 14 karats is more likely to tarnish over time. If you want to err on caution, go for jewellery between 14 and 18 karats of gold.

Wear your gold jewellery after applying other cosmetics.

We always recommend wearing your gold jewellery after applying your makeup and perfume on yourself. Before putting on your jewellery, you should hold off for around two minutes to give the goods time to settle. These substances contain chemical compounds that cause the metals in gold jewellery to react, causing them to tarnish or corrode. You can prevent this by keeping the jewellery away from items that contain these chemical compounds.

Store your gold jewellery properly

Make sure that your gold jewellery is stored appropriately. What do we mean by an appropriate manner? You should ensure that your gold jewellery does not receive excessive exposure to light or moisture. It is recommended to place them in a dark jewellery box or a plastic bag, along with some silica packets, to absorb any air and moisture that may be present. When keeping it in a plastic bag, push out all the excess air and close it quickly. It is protected from scratching by a lack of oxygen and kept bright and shiny by exposure to excessive sunshine.

Make sure to clean your gold jewellery.

You love wearing your old jewellery. Don't you? But, we recommend you clean it thoroughly by giving it a little rub with a cotton ball or a clean, soft cloth to remove the dust after removing the jewellery. At the same time, while cleaning, you should clean your gold jewellery using mild soaps or detergents rather than jewellery cleaners or antibacterial soaps. The reason is that these cleaners may contain chemicals that are detrimental to your jewellery and cause it to stain or tarnish more quickly.

Here are some more tips. 

• When it comes to cleaning gold jewellery, you should never use toothpaste or baking soda. As mentioned above, the chemicals are too harsh to use.
• Under no circumstances should you ever put on jewellery while your body is in touch with water, including washing dishes or swimming. Tarnishing can be caused by various chemical processes, including those involving chlorine and other elements.

When cleaning your jewellery, make sure only to use warm water. It would be best if you let each piece of jewellery soak in the water for no more than one minute. If you must scrub, use a gentle method such as a toothbrush. At the same time, do not rush yourself while cleaning. When cleaning the pieces, you should never use tissue or any other substance made of paper. Always use a cotton rag to pat the jewellery dry.

Do not let others touch your gold jewellery.

This might sound weird to you. But let us explain. It is better if you do not let others touch your gold jewellery. Why? An excessive amount of touching can cause surface friction. Because of this, interactions between the alloy and human skin may occur, and the gold jewellery you wear may become discoloured as a result.

Conclusion

Even though gold-made jewellery is not nearly as sensitive to the effects of its surroundings as jewellery made of other metals is, an alloy's other metals could nonetheless lead your piece to develop a patina over time.

When you are taking a shower or exercising, it is best to remove any gold jewellery you wear. As explained above, always put on your jewellery as the last step in getting ready, and keep it away from any cleaning products. The reason is that; cosmetics can speed up the tarnishing process of gold jewellery.