The Right Way to Clean Gold Jewelry

When it comes to jewelry, gold is one of the first metals that come to mind. This element is beautiful, sophisticated, luxurious, and is great material to have in your jewelry if you are looking to catch the attention of the room. When it comes gold jewelry, there are proper cleaning measures you will need to take to not only cleanse your gold but to prevent it from shortening the longevity of the gold. Before we dive into the proper methods to clean gold, lets discuss the properties that make up your favorite gold jewelry.

If you are wondering if you have a piece of jewelry that is pure gold or not, you will want to look at the karat number of said jewelry. If the jewelry you are looking to clean shows that it is made of 24 karat gold, then you have a piece made of pure gold. If your piece is less than 24 karats then it indicates that your jewelry was mixed with other metals, also called alloys, that help increase the durability and hardness of the piece. This does not mean that having jewelry that is not pure gold is a bad thing as you will want less pure gold depending on your lifestyle. With gold being prone to scratching, being mixed with different alloys assists with its longevity.

If you find a commercial jewelry solution that is made specifically for gold, then that would be the best method of cleaning your gold jewelry on your own. However, if you do not have a commercial solution you still have other methods of cleaning your pieces at home. With this do it yourself method, you will be mixing common household cleansers to make your gold shine just like new. Below are steps to cleaning your gold jewelry at home:

• Mix a few drops of liquid Dawn dish detergent/soap in warm water.
• Add a tablespoon of Hydrogen Peroxide.
• Let the gold jewelry sit in the solution for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Carefully brush the piece of a soft toothbrush, brushing outward.
• Place in lukewarm water to rinse.
• Air dry the piece over a towel.

Be sure to keep in mind tat gold is a soft metal, so be sure to gently brush the piece when cleaning.

Since gold is typically mixed with other alloys, there is a chance that the gold will tarnish if cleaned with improper solutions. Below are two hazards to avoid if you want to protect your gold jewelry.

• Soap - Make sure you are not going to clean your piece using a soap with unknown ingredients. Basic blue Dawn dish detergent/soap as mentioned above is fine, but you will want to make sure you do not use solutions with foreign ingredients that could harm the gold.
• Chlorine - Chlorine can permanently damage or discolor your gold jewelry, especially at high temperatures. If you have a hot tub, be sure to remove the piece to avoid damage.

If cleaning your gold jewelry on your own brings a layer of nerves, as you do not want to damage your jewelry, the safest method to use is to go to your local jeweler to have them professionally clean the piece for you. Jewelers will know the proper procedures and solutions to use depending on the type of metal and gemstone, if the piece includes gemstone, to ensure your piece looks as good as new. While consulting your jeweler on the cleaning it is not a bad idea to ask them about restoration options if you have an older piece of gold jewelry.

If you have any questions about cleaning gold jewelry, jewelry restoration, or jewelry repair services, be sure to contact Bostonian Jewelers today