When you've fallen in love with a piece of jewellery, you want to wear it every single day. But everyday wear can take its toll on gold jewellery. Gold jewellery is a beautiful addition to any outfit, but it does require some care to keep it looking its best.
Gold is a soft metal, so it can scratch and ding easily. And because gold doesn't rust or tarnish, it can develop a dull patina over time from the oils in your skin. But don't worry, with a little TLC, your gold jewellery will be looking as good as new in no time.
Properties of gold
Gold jewellery is a popular choice for many people because it doesn't rust, tarnish or corrode. Gold is also a very malleable metal, so it can be easily moulded into different shapes and designs. And because gold is such a soft metal, it's also very easy to scratch. So it's important to protect your jewellery when wearing it and remove it when there is a risk it could become damaged.
How to keep your gold jewellery clean
The best way to clean gold jewellery is with warm water and mild soap. Simply soak your jewellery in the solution for a few minutes, then gently scrub it with a soft toothbrush. Rinse your jewellery thoroughly with clean water and dry it with a soft cloth.
You should avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasives when cleaning gold as this can damage the gold. You can use mild soap and ammonia to wash your jewellery, but steer clear of anything harsher.
Try following these steps to keep your jewellery looking beautiful:
- Mix a drop of mild soap or shampoo with lukewarm water.
- Add a few drops of ammonia.
- Brush the jewellery using the water mixture and an old, soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the jewellery in lukewarm water.
- Leave it to air dry on a soft towel, or pat dry with a clean cloth.
Don't forget that gold is a soft metal, so be careful when using hard bristles or abrasive products. You should also be careful not to scratch the metal when drying.
How to care for gold jewellery
When you're not wearing your gold jewellery, it's important to store it properly to prevent scratching and damage. The best way to store gold jewellery is in a soft cloth pouch or bag. You can also use a jewellery box lined with soft fabric. Avoid storing gold jewellery in direct sunlight or near heat sources, as this can cause the metal to discolour.
It's also important to avoid exposing gold jewellery to chemicals such as chlorine. This can damage the metal and cause it to lose its lustre. When you're swimming in chlorinated water, be sure to remove your gold jewellery before getting in the pool.
And finally, you should always remove old jewellery to wash your hands, as soap can build up on the jewellery and cause it to tarnish and discolour. Washing your jewellery with mild soap is fine because you then rinse and dry the jewellery. But washing your hands while wearing jewellery is likely to lead to a build-up of soap which will cause it to tarnish.
Almost all gold jewellery is an alloy, which means that it is mixed with other metals. The type of metal it is mixed with will have a huge impact on its capacity to tarnish, so it's always better to be safe.
Gold jewellery with coloured stones
If your gold jewellery has coloured stones, you should take extra care when cleaning it. The chemicals in some jewellery cleaners can damage the finish on gemstones, so it's best to avoid them. You should also be careful not to use abrasive materials or scrub too hard, as this can scratch the surface of the stone.
Cleaning gold plated jewellery
Gold-plated jewellery is a popular choice for many people because it has the look of solid gold but is much more affordable. However, gold-plated jewellery does require special care to prevent the gold from wearing away. Gold-plated jewellery should be cleaned with a soft cloth and mild soap. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasives as this can damage the gold plating.
In conclusion, gold jewellery is a beautiful and popular choice for many people. But it does require some care to keep it looking its best. Gold is a soft metal, so it can scratch and ding easily. And because gold doesn't rust or tarnish, it can develop a dull patina over time from the oils in your skin. But with a little TLC, your gold jewellery will look as good as new. See our tips for cleaning silver jewellery.
