How To Clean Gold Jewellery Without Damaging It?

Gold jewellery gives an added elegance to your attire, but it gets dull with time. Cleaning gold jewellery the wrong way could scratch or ruin your treasured pieces. Cleaning gold jewellery at home is something many are afraid to do. But with the proper gold cleaning tips, you can give your jewellery its original shine without damaging it. 

Regardless of whether you possess solid gold, gold-plated jewellery, or gold vermeil jewellery, these easy techniques will assist you. 
Take the five simple steps below to clean your gold safely and restore its natural glow without forking out cash for professional cleaning.
 

First, check what type of gold you possess. Solid gold can withstand more cleaning techniques than gold-plated jewellery. Gold-plated pieces contain a light gold covering over another metal, whereas gold vermeil jewellery boasts a heavier gold coating over sterling silver. 

Moreover, solid gold requires less delicate handling than plated items, which may strip their gold coating if washed too vigorously. Therefore, clean gold-plated and vermeil jewellery, always with gentle techniques to preserve the gold coating.
 

You can create a safe jewellery cleaning solution at home using things you already have. Combine a couple of drops of mild dish soap with warm water in a small container. Never, ever use bleach, chlorine, or other corrosive chemicals that will harm gold. To get a deeper clean, add a small amount of ammonia to the soapy solution – but only for solid gold, not for plated items. 

This easy cleaning solution is sufficient for most gold pieces. If your jewellery has gemstones, examine whether they can be water-cleaned first. Certain stones, such as pearls or opals, cannot be soaked under any circumstances. This mild solution is effective at removing grime without damaging the finish of your gold.

Also Know: How To Keep Your Platinum Wedding Band Looking Beautiful For Years?
 

Let your gold jewellery soak in the soap solution for 15-30 minutes. It loosens grime and oils caused by skin contact. After soaking, use a soft baby toothbrush or makeup brush and softly clean every area of the jewellery. Be extra careful around settings and crevices where grime accumulates. Use gentle, circular strokes instead of rubbing hard.

Also, when cleaning gold-plated jewellery, brush even more carefully and soak for a shorter time – only 5-10 minutes at most. Let the soft bristles enter tiny spaces without scratching the gold surface. If your jewellery is extremely dirty, you may have to soak it twice.

Once you have cleaned your gold vermeil jewellery, rinse it under running lukewarm water. Be certain to wash all of the soap off, as the remaining cleaning solution will cause the gold to become dull after a while. Dry the jewellery with a soft, lint-free cloth instead of letting it air dry. Otherwise, water spots may occur if water dries on the surface of the gold. 

So, for complete drying, position your jewellery on a fresh towel in a warm (not hot) place for approximately one hour. Do not use paper towels to dry gold since they will scratch the surface. Full drying avoids water marks and maintains your jewellery in top condition.

As a finishing touch, polish your gold with a specialised jewellery cloth. These cloths contain cleaning agents that release gold's natural lustre. If you don't have a jewellery cloth, a clean microfiber cloth also works. Rub the gold in small circles gently until it becomes shiny. For gold-plated jewellery, apply very light pressure so that you don't wear off the gold layer. 

Remember, regular polishing keeps your gold looking like new between deep cleanings. This step reinstates the warm, golden glow that makes gold jewellery unique. So, reserve a cloth specifically for gold to ensure you don't cross-contaminate from other metals.

To Summarise

Caring for your gold jewellery does not have to be laborious or expensive. Using these easy gold cleaning tips, you can maintain your valuable items in top condition at home. Plus, by doing so every few months, your gold jewellery will maintain its aesthetics for years to come, and the little effort that these cleaning procedures entail will be well worth it.

FAQs

Clean your gold solid pieces every 2-3 months under regular wear. Clean gold-plated jewellery less frequently, approximately every 4-6 months. If dullness or dirt accumulation occurs earlier, clean your pieces gently as needed. 

White vinegar is suitable for solid gold but can be harmful to gold-plated or vermeil jewellery. For solid gold, use equal parts water and vinegar, soak for 15 minutes, and then gently brush. Always rinse thoroughly after cleaning.

Inspect the type of stone first. Rubies, sapphires, and diamonds can tolerate soap solutions. Do not soak pearls, opals, or porous stones. Clean these with a damp cloth instead.