Care Tips for Your Gold Jewelry That Every Owner Should Know
Gold jewelry is a great investment, not just in terms of its value, but more importantly, its lasting glimmering beauty. Any piece of gold jewelry can just add the right amount of elegance to your ensemble, be it regular formals or dressy attire. However, to maintain its everlasting shine, gold jewelry needs proper care.
Different tones and carats of gold have different properties, and so, they need to be maintained in a specific way. More often than not, we also make certain mistakes in wearing and storing these pieces, which may diminish their charm. Although gold itself requires minimal care, it still needs to be done the right way to ensure your jewelry’s longevity, especially if you own gold estate jewelry.
But if you are wondering, ‘What is the right way to clean your old gold?’, then this blog is just for you. Read on as we explore the intricacies of renewing your old jewels to brand new!
Proper Care Matters
Gold is a very soft metal, and more prone to dent, scratch, or tarnish with rigorous use and regular wear. This is more common in jewelry of lower carats, as they have a much lower amount of gold than in 22k (24k is pure gold and cannot be made into jewelry). If worn carelessly, it can be easily damaged, reducing both the value and aesthetic appeal.
Now, no one really wants themselves to be wearing a tarnished pair of earrings. But with proper care, even your delicate 14k gold chains can last for generations. So, how exactly do we maintain our gold jewelry?
Jewelry Maintenance Tips
Keeping your gold ornaments prim and proper requires taking consideration right from storing them to cleaning and repairing. Below, we have given a breakdown for you to understand the complete method of the maintenance of your jewel pieces, from start to end.
Daily Habits Make a Difference
If you use your gold jewelry in a rigorous manner, then it is sure to be damaged. Make sure that you store it properly and wear it only when you are not into heavy physical work. Excessive use may wear down your gold with dents or tarnish. Here are a few other things to take care of regularly:
Make sure to remove your jewelry before entering or working in water.
Avoid chlorinated water, such as swimming pools.
Avoid any contact with perfumes, heavy lotions, oils, sweat, sunscreen, or hairspray.
Wipe the jewelry with a jewelry polishing cloth after every use.
Store your gold jewelry individually in soft-lined pouches or velvet boxes.
Cleaning Your Jewelry At Home
Cleaning your gold jewelry, be it chunky 18k gold Cuban link chains, delicate modern gold pieces, or intricate gold estate jewelry, can seem to be a little tricky. Especially with all the clasps, openwork, and curves, which can easily hold the dirt. Further, you also need to be cautious that you are not damaging your jewelry or rubbing off the gold from it and removing its smooth polish.
Using simple tools and ingredients available at home, you can easily clean your jewelry by yourself. Follow our easy step-by-step guide:
Take some lukewarm water and a mild soap (shampoo or dishwashing liquid).
Soak your jewelry in the solution for 15-20 minutes.
Use a soft-bristled brush (baby toothbrush) to rub off the dirt, specifically the crevices and curves.
Once done, wash with water and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Finally, polish it with a jewelry polishing cloth.
Make sure that you do not use any harsh chemicals like baking soda, bleach, or vinegar, as they may tarnish your jewelry and damage its lustre. Also, make it a point to use jewelry polishing cloth instead of paper towels and tissues, as they can scratch your jewelry.
Seeking Professional Cleaning
Ensure to get your jewelry professionally cleaned at least every 6-12 months. While you can clean it at home, a professional would use specific solutions, ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, buffing wheels, or ionic jewelry cleaners that easily remove any kind of dirt or grime and yet keep your jewelry dazzling. Taking professional assistance also ensures that any loose stones, bent prongs, broken clasps, or any damage or dent are dealt with immediately, before it’s too late.
Long-Term Storage?
It is best suited to wear 22k gold pieces occasionally, as they have a much higher content of gold, making them softer and prone to damage with regular wear. Lower carat gold pieces, such as 18k or 14k gold chains, earrings, bracelets, and more, are suitable for daily and office wear. They have less amount of gold with a higher percentage of other metals, comparatively. This makes them harder and less vulnerable to scratches.
However, it is better to wear your gold occasionally, and if you are thinking of storing your pieces for a longer period, then here are a few things you can consider:
Keep your jewelry away from direct sunlight.
Make sure to store them with silica pouches or anti-tarnish paper.
Make sure to never store costume or silver jewelry along with it, as it may cause reactions or scratches.
If storing for a very long period, make sure to check it from time to time.
Bonus Care Tips: Caring For Each Type Of Gold
Every piece of gold jewelry, be it rose gold bracelets, white gold bands, or traditional 22k, 18k, or 14k yellow gold pieces, has specific care tips to be followed. Ensuring added care and maintenance for every piece improves its life and appearance in the long run.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
14k and 18k gold should also be cleaned from time to time.
White gold might need periodic rhodium plating to maintain its silvery white appearance.
Rose gold can develop patina, due to its higher copper content; removing it will not harm the jewelry and keep the quality intact.
Handle estate gold jewelry with extreme care; being old, they are very delicate and prone to damage.
Final Words
Ensuring proper care for your jewelry will make it last longer and appear new, whenever you wear it. Further, it also makes sure that the value of your jewelry stays intact. Make sure that you wear and store your jewelry properly to keep it safe from damage. Additionally, regular cleaning makes sure that it is dazzlingly bright.
However, there are certain other things that you must keep in mind. Firstly, store all your jewelry separately and keep it away from chlorine or heavy perfumes and lotions. Secondly, regular professional cleaning makes sure that your jewelry is protected from any damage. Finally, ensure proper care for delicate jewelry pieces like estate gold jewelry or those having sleek and intricate designs like thin 14k gold chains, as well as other kinds of gold.
Additionally, keep in mind that stones and pearls need special care. So, consult with your jeweler or a professional jewelry cleaner before you get on to cleaning any piece that has stones or pearls. These simple tips will keep your gold shining bright and elegant for many years to come.
If you are considering buying a new piece of jewelry, then we welcome you to Lexaco, where we are committed to offering creative and trendy jewelry that is as brilliant as you are. Visit the online store and shop your favorites!