How to Clean Gold: Keeping Your Bling Shiny

6 ICE
February 09, 2021
5 min read

6Gold jewelry has an iconic place when it comes to accessories. One thing about chains, in particular, is that they are never short of stunning. They catch the light, casting an elegant glow that just screams luxury. So what’s their secret? How do they keep their gold jewelry looking sleek all the time?

You don’t need to be a millionaire to look like one. Just a bit of care and maintenance can make your gold chains look just as shining as the day you bought them. Just follow this simple guide.

What Is Gold And Why Does It Fade?

Gold’s been around for over5,500 years, and its uses have ranged since its discovery. Because of its strength and durability, it has long been a symbol of wealth, often used to make jewelry. It’s also ductile, so it can be used in electrical components to conduct electricity.

Gold is iconic for its glossy, brass-like finish that is attractive to the eye. It’s the most malleable of all metals, which makes it a jeweler’s dream when it comes to bracelet, necklace, and chain inception.

While pure gold is largelyresistant to corrosion, it is an extremely rare substance that garners high price tags. Most jewelry that you wear is actually known as gold plated. This means that a thin layer of real gold is overlaid on top of a sturdy base metal to give the appearance of true gold without the hefty cost. When used in chains,bracelets, or other accessories, you’d never be able to tell the difference.

How To Clean Gold Jewelry The Right Way

8.5mm Diamond Figaro Bracelet 18k Gold

However, gold is susceptible to tarnish and fade over time. This is due to moisture in the air, combined with sulfur and oxygen, stripping away the golden surface of plated pieces.

When gold tarnishes, it can lose its glossy sheen, develop marks and blemishes, and become slightly discolored. With a bit of extra care, you can keep your chains looking pristine and polished.

How To Maintain Gold Jewelry

Despite gold being a durable material, it’s still prone to the usual wear and tear. In order to avoid having to clean it too often, take some extra precautions daily.

One thing to remember is that, despite its durability, it is still asoft metal. It can get dinged and scratched under high pressure and stress. You’ll want to remove your gold accessories before playing high contact sports or exercising. This will keep your chains, as well as yourself, safe from harm.

Also, chlorine is gold’s enemy. Chlorine is a harsh chemical that will quickly tarnish the outer layer of gold after just a couple of exposures. And if exposure is continuous, it could even weaken the metal’s structure and cause it to break. Be sure to remove any jewelry before hopping in the pool or ocean where chlorine might be present.

In general, harsh chemicals are extremely abrasive to gold materials, so it’s a good idea to remove them before cleaning or dealing with acidic substances. You can also extend the look of your accessory by putting on your jewelry last when getting ready in the morning. Face wash, makeup, and toothpaste affect the appearance of your precious pieces, making them look unpolished and dirty.

You’ll also want to keep your gold jewelry in a box or drawer away from elements in the air that would lead to dirt build-up. You can limit exposure to harmful chemicals by placing each piece in a soft cloth away from other materials that might scratch or react negatively with the metal.

But even if you take immense effort to keep your gold looking fresh, you might notice the usual dirt, grime, and oil build up on its surface. Thankfully, cleaning gold jewelry is easy, and you don’t need any professional experience to get the job done.

How To Clean Gold Jewelry

Even the most expensive golden chains and bracelets suffer from the occasional dirty or oily spot. The absolute best way to clean your gold jewelry is to use a kit designed specifically for doing so, especially a kit that you purchase from the same place that you purchased your jewelry. This way, you can ensure that no damage will be done to your precious items.

And while you can get your chains professionally cleaned, you can do it at home with simple materials that you have laying around:

All you need is:

Soft bristled toothbrush
Soft cloth or paper towel

Getting the materials together is the hardest part of the entire process. Once you’ve done that, here’s what you need to do:

Use the soft bristled toothbrush to go over the crevices and intricacies on chains, using gentle pressure to remove any built-up dirt. It’s important to make sure that this is a soft bristled toothbrush so that you do not scratch the soft golden materials.
Rub down with a soft cloth, and store in a cool, dry place.

This method of cleaning gold is great because it will not harm any of the gemstones or metals that the jewelry might contain. Just be sure to use a soft bristled toothbrush and a soft cloth so you don’t cause any accidental abrasions to the surface.

How To Clean Gold Jewelry The Right Way

12mm Miami Cuban Chain 18k Gold

This is also a great way to clean gold plated jewelry because it will maintain the iconic luster on its outer surface. This would be a great method to polish up that 18k goldMiami Cuban Chain so that you can keep yourself looking stylish for years to come.

Where Do I Buy Quality Jewelry?

One of the best ways to keep your jewelry looking clean and brand new is to make sure that you are buying a quality piece from the start. There are a few simple ways to tell that your next chain is made with quality in mind.

Unless you have millions to spare, chances are you’re going to be buying gold plated pieces. Don’t fret: these are still made with real gold; they are just plated on the outer layer.

Gold plated pieces have a karatage that denotes how much pure gold is used in their alloy. Most high-quality chains are between 12 and 18 karats, meaning that the vast majority of its composition is pure gold. Options with a higher karatage will look and feel more authentic, as well as be more resistant to dirt build-up and decomposition.

Also, be sure to look for companies that have alifetime guarantee for their products. This will be proof that the manufacturer cares about your investment and is devoted to giving you a quality product. This will let you have even greater peace of mind as you start to expand your jewelry collection.

Conclusion

Since gold is susceptible to tarnish over time, it’s important to practice good hygiene when it comes to the upkeep of your favorite chains.

Cleaning gold jewelry is simple, and it can be done quickly from your own home. It’s also a great idea to make sure that the jewelry manufacturer is committed to the quality of your metal before you add it to the cart.