The Do's and Don'ts of Cleaning and Protecting Gold Jewelry

Each of us has a favorite item of jewelry that we wear frequently. Pieces of jewelry provide a finishing touch unlike any other accessory. It might be a gold ring, necklace, or other accessory. When your everyday goods start to seem worn out, you'll want to preserve your jewelry in top shape. Some materials, like gold, call for delicate cleaning. Silver is generally polished as people are more aware of the need to do so. However, gold might sometimes become dull too. Oils and sweat secreted from our skin, as well as items we use daily, like perfumes and lotions, cause gold to lose its luster over time. Gold has the same potential for tarnishing as silver.

In its purest form, gold is a priceless natural metal that is a lustrous and beautiful, deep orange-yellow. One of the most widely used metals for jewelry, it is alloyed for strength and durability with other precious and non-precious metals. For instance, white gold is alloyed with zinc, nickel, palladium, and/or silver while rose gold is alloyed with copper.

Cleaning gold jewelry should be done frequently on any jewelry that is worn on a day-to-day basis. It is advised to perform light cleaning once a week and thoroughly when exposed to heavy dirt, debris, or chemicals. After each use, unique occasion jewelry should be checked for stains, smudges, or breakage. Only if it seems dirty does it require cleaning. Gold is typically resistant to chemical buildup, dust, fingerprints, oil, and frequent mild washing, which keeps the jewelry appearing new and brilliant while extending its lifespan.

gold-necklace-shiny-again

What Is The Best Way to Clean a Gold Chain?

Gold is a lovely, delicate, precious metal that has to be handled carefully. Gold should only be polished a few times a year. Too much gold polishing might be harmful. Incorrect cleaning methods could cause a gold chain to lose its shine. Most of the time, the problem can be resolved by simply recleaning it properly. However, if you take extra care and put in the required effort, your gold will shine like new. The safest option when cleaning jewelry at home is a technique that is simple and requires only a few substances. Here's the best way to clean gold jewelry:

Materials Needed:

Salt - 1 tablespoon. Salt helps to clear debris and dirt.
Baking soda - 1 tablespoon. Baking soda is effective in cleaning metal.
Dish soap
Soft-bristle brush
Warm water - 1 cup
Clean, dry cloth
Jeweler's cloth

How to Clean Gold Chain:

Soak the chain in a cleaning mixture of water, dish soap, and baking soda. Place some water in a bowl. Add a little baking soda and some gentle dish soap. Put the gold into the concoction. Give it a few minutes to soak.
Use a toothbrush with delicate bristles to scrub the gold. It is best to use a fresh, baby-sized soft-bristle toothbrush. Using the toothbrush, gently clean the chain. While cleansing, you don't need to use as much pressure. If there are any crevices in the gold, reach them.
Wash the gold in water. After using the toothbrush, rinse the gold with warm water. Make sure you thoroughly rinse the baking soda mixture away. Check the gold to make sure you're satisfied with the results.
With a cloth, pat dries the gold. To dry off the gold, use a gentle washcloth. To dry it off, avoid items like paper towels because they might harm the gold. You can let it air-dry as well.
You can use a jeweler's cloth if you have one to complete the polishing procedure. Clear the surface of the chain using a soft cloth. Remove any leftover debris by wiping. Go over the chain a few more times to bring out the gold's brilliance if there is no more dirt or dust. A jeweler's cloth is available online, in jewelry stores, and select supermarkets.

Note:

Remember to warm up your water beforehand!
If there are any stones in the gold, don't soak them for more than 10 minutes. The cleaning solution could loosen the stones. Although this depends on the make of the ornament and how the stones are embedded, it is safer not to let the gold soak for longer.

Protecting Your Gold Ornaments:

Once you know the best way to clean jewelry, the next step is ensuring that your necklace doesn't get damaged frequently. Regular and proper cleaning can help restore shine to a chain. However, it is just as essential to protect your gold ornaments to keep them shining and lustrous. Here are a few ways to protect your gold necklaces and keep them in pristine condition.

While engaging in strenuous activities, avoid wearing gold. Wearing gold jewelry while engaging in a sweat-inducing activity is not advised. Sweat has an acidic nature that can corrode gold. If it's not possible to remove the gold while participating in an activity, wipe it off as soon as possible using a soft cloth.
Be careful how you move. While it's not necessary to stand motionless when wearing gold, it does help to be aware of your actions. Avoid colliding with anything or banging the gold against other items. Being cautious will stop the gold's surface from getting scratched and damaged.
Avoid applying lotion when wearing gold. Lotions are a type of cosmetic that can harm gold. Hairspray and perfume are also substances that could harm your ornament. If you are wearing gold, you can use these items as long as the two don't come into contact.
Avoid frequently wearing delicate gold. Gold is usually not meant to be worn daily. Although it may be tempting, try to utilize your exquisite gold ornaments as minimally as possible. It is better to avoid wearing pricey, fragile gold ornaments on a daily or otherwise frequent basis. Try to reserve the gold for meaningful events and grand occasions. It will last longer if it is worn less frequently.

Bayam Can Help!

Bayam sells 14K Real Gold Jewelry at premium quality. These jewelry items are affordable, stylish, and durable as well. They have a vast collection of accessory pieces, including chains, necklaces, earrings, pendants, etc. Bayam's jewelry line is top-quality and not easily damaged, ensuring your jewelry's longevity and ornaments.