Gold jewellery is timeless, iconic and, well… shiny. But it’s also very soft, especially if it’s pure. That means it will quickly pick up scratches with regular wear (much like silver jewellery). For gold that’s combined with other metals, such as 9ct or 18ct, exposure to moisture, cleaning products and sweat will take its toll, too, tarnishing the finish via oxidisation. Before you know it, your gold jewellery has dulled and lost its shine – and it doesn’t have the wow factor anymore.
All is not lost, though! With the right products and technique, you can get your gold jewellery to gleam like new again. You can remove any unsightly scratches, too, and restore it to a pristine condition. No need for an expensive jeweller to do the work for you! Here’s what you need to do:
Before you start
Before you start, some manufacturers offer complimentary cleaning and polishing services, so this is worth checking first. It’s also best to follow the cleaning advice as supplied by the manufacturer, including the recommended cleaning products, so you don’t void the guarantee and cause unintended damage.
Take extra care when cleaning gold jewellery that contains precious gemstones, such as diamonds. Make sure any proprietary cleaners you use are suitable for the stone, and if it appears damaged and likely to dislodge, take it to the jewellers for repairs. If you’re uncomfortable attempting to clean your jewellery yourself, there’s always the option to take it for professional cleaning. But if there are no instructions, or you want to try your hand at cleaning your gold jewellery yourself, here’s what you need to do.
1. Give it a wipe over
The first step is to remove immediate scuffs and stains with a lint-free microfibre cloth, but do not use anything more abrasive than this as it could scratch the surface.
Gently polish the item, inside and out, working your way around it gradually. For any debris that’s become trapped, you can use a small, soft bristled brush to carefully dislodge it. Your item may be fully restored if it only needs a light clean, but if further cleaning is needed, move on to step two.
2. Clean your gold
You can now see the extent of any scratches and discolouration. For a deeper clean, fill a bowl with warm water combined with a very mild detergent; a few drops of a gentle washing up liquid or baby shampoo works well for this. Do not use hot water as it could damage the gold with the extreme temperature change.
Submerge your gold jewellery and leave it to soak for 10 minutes. Then, use a clean part of your microfibre cloth to gently wipe it over and the soft bristled brush to scrub the crevices if necessary. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Alternatively, there are proprietary gold cleaning baths you can purchase, such as Connoisseurs Gold Jewellery Cleaner.
GHI Tip: Never use white vinegar to clean gold jewellery – it’s acidic nature will damage the finish.
3. Dry and polish
Dry your gold with a dry lint-free microfibre cloth. Do not leave your gold jewellery to air dry – this encourages oxidisation if it isn’t pure.
For any minor scratches that remain and for a shiny finish, polish with a proprietary gold cleaning cloth, such as Cape Cod Metal Polishing Cloths. With patience and persistence, fine scratches can be removed, but for anything more embedded, you’ll need to take your gold jewellery to a professional cleaner and polisher.
How to keep your gold jewellery clean:
- Remove your gold jewellery whenever showering, bathing or washing your hands. Repeated exposure to moisture and soap will contribute to tarnishing. The same goes for any perfumes and lotions.
- Avoid sleeping in your gold jewellery; we release sweat and bodily oils as we sleep, which does the same thing.
- Avoid contact with acidic foods when preparing meals.
- Remove your gold jewellery when using cleaning products around the home. If it comes into contact, the chemicals will take its toll. Strong chemical cleaners, such as bleach, could even deteriorate it. You should wear gloves whenever using such cleaners, as well as goggles and a mask for bleach.
- Do not wear your gold jewellery while working out. Sweat will make it tarnish faster.
- Do not wear your gold jewellery while gardening. Pure gold rings can easily scratch from the small stones.
- Always store your gold jewellery safely and securely when not in use with a dedicated jewellery box. Silica gel packets can help to keep on top of the moisture.
