Gold jewelry is a luxurious closet staple that must be handled with extreme care. After all, keeping up with investment pieces ensures that they will last a lifetime and always hold their heirloom-quality.
If you’re wondering how to clean your gold necklace at home or how to prevent scratches on gold jewelry, then this guide is for you. We’re giving you all the tips and tools you need for proper jewelry cleaning to practice gold maintenance like a professional.
How to Clean Gold Jewelry At Home
Whether you’re cleaning white gold, rose gold, or traditional yellow gold pieces, one truth remains certain: all gold jewelry is valuable. And because of this, you have to take certain precautions and use specific tools to maintain the aesthetic and monetary value of each item so they last.
Safe Cleaning Solutions for Gold
Before we discuss what’s safe to use on gold jewelry, let’s be clear on what isn’t safe. Harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia and abrasive tools (like metal or steel wool scrubbing pads) should be avoided at all costs. You should also never wash your tarnished gold in hot water.
Instead, you can purchase store-bought cleaners safe for jewelry polishing or make your own gold cleaning solution at home. All you need is a bowl of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap to create a safe and sudsy solution.
Step-By-Step Cleaning Process
To effectively clean gold jewelry at home, here are the exact steps to follow:
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Fill a small bowl with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap.
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Place your gold necklace or jewelry into the water and allow the pieces to soak between 10 to fifteen minutes.
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When the time is up, take a soft cleaning brush designed for jewelry cleaning or use a soft-brisled toothbrush to gently scrub the tarnished gold.
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Rinse the items under warm water.
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Lay the pieces out to dry on a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth.
Tools You’ll Need for Proper Cleaning
Gold maintenance isn’t a hard at-home task and you don’t need to have extensive tools to do the job either. There are a few basic tools you will need to effectively clean your precious gold and protect the fine craftsmanship.
With that said, it’s important to always use the right tools, like soft items that aren’t abrasive. Non-abrasive tools, like soft brushes, prevent scratches on gold jewelry that damage the appearance and gemstones.
Here are the tools you’ll need to properly clean gold jewelry items:
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A small bowl.
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A soft-bristled brush, either one designed for jewelry cleaning or a toothbrush.
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A soft microfiber towel.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Gold
There are several common mistakes gold jewelry owners make when it comes to jewelry polishing. While using harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners are the top two, there are other mistakes that are commonly made as well, like cleaning too often.
Yes, it’s possible to clean your gold jewelry a little too much and wear down the coating. This can lead to significant damage to the beautiful appearance and tarnish the fine craftsmanship. Once this happens, you can say goodbye to having gold jewelry with aesthetically pleasing value.
Another overlooked common mistake is improper storage. You can clean your gold jewelry properly and shine the piece up, but storing it in a cluttered jewelry bow or without care when handling can lead to faster wear and tear, like scratches.
Ferko’s creates fine gold jewelry specifically designed to last for generations to come, which is why you should always remember to handle every piece of gold jewelry with extreme care.
Harsh Chemicals That Damage Gold
Cleaning gold jewelry with harsh chemicals tends to be the leading mistake many people make. There’s a common misconception that harsh chemicals clean and remove dirt more efficiently than other cleaning solutions, but that’s not true at all. In fact, harsh chemicals cause the most damage since the solution weakens the alloy and causes tarnishing or discoloration. That’s why in order to keep these heirloom-quality pieces looking luxurious for decades, you must use safe and gentle cleaners.
Abrasive Chemicals That Cause Scratching
Second to harsh chemicals is the mistake of using abrasive tools. Scrubbing pads made with metal or steel wool causes significant scratching and also damages the beautiful coating and plating. You can also do the same damage if you scrub too hard. Gold jewelry should always be cleaned with soft brushes in a gentle fashion to remove dirt while keeping the item scratch-free.
Proper Storage for Gold Jewelry
Using a gold cleaning solution is just the first step in maintaining your jewelry at home. After shining your pieces up, the next step is to ensure you have proper storage. This also helps to prevent scratches on gold jewelry since it keeps your pieces in their own spot where they aren’t rubbing against other necklaces or bracelets.
Preventing Tangles and Scratches
There are several ways you can store your gold jewelry to prevent scratches or tangles. The best way is to give each item their separate place to rest. Use a jewelry box that has hooks for your necklaces to hang so they don’t get bunched in a drawer, which is where most tangles occur. You can also use soft jewelry pouches to store items separately in your jewelry box or drawer.
Humidity and Temperature Considerations
While the humidity and temperature may be the least of your worries when cleaning gold jewelry, they actually play a major factor in preservation. Gold jewelry needs to be stored in a cool, humid-free environment. Extreme heat and high moisture levels can lead to discoloration in low-karat gold, like 10k or 14k pieces.
When to Seek Professional Cleaning
Want to make sure your beloved gold jewelry stays pristine and polished? Consider having your pieces professionally cleaned. Professional jewelers can take a look at your jewelry and clean them professionally for an exquisite shine.
Signs Your Gold Jewelry Needs Expert Attention
While you might feel like cleaning your gold jewelry at home, there may be times when visiting a professional gold jeweler is worth it, especially if you notice the following signs:
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Difficulty cleaning intricate designs.
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Extreme tarnishing or discoloration.
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Damage, like loose prongs.
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Concerns about your gold maintenance.
Professionals like Ferko’s can help you become more knowledgeable about gold jewelry care and take a look at any piece you may have concerns about.
Maintaining Gold Jewelry with Gemstones
Sometimes gold jewelry is accompanied by beautiful gemstones for an added pop of color, like these gorgeous gemstone bracelets. These pieces are even more valuable for their extra inclusion of real gemstones, and have special care requirements too.
Special Care for Gold with Diamonds
To clean gold jewelry with gemstones or diamonds, the process is fairly the same. You will need to use the same materials, tools, and process but take extra care when cleaning the gemstones. That means scrubbing even more gently so you don’t scratch the diamond, or worse, cause the gemstone to fall out.
If you have a special piece, like a sapphire necklace, bracelet, diamond ring, or pair of earrings, with diamonds and gemstones, always remember to remove it before getting into any body of water. This helps to prevent dirt build up and ensures the fine craftsmanship stays intact.
Have more questions about gold maintenance or how to clean gold jewelry? Experts at Ferko’s are here to help. We are dedicated to helping you preserve these precious investment pieces for years to come, and believe that proper maintenance is the key to keeping your gold jewelry a generational treasure.