How to Make Your Gold Jewellery Shine Like New

How frustrating is it that the once shiny gold you bought with so much love has now turned into a sad dull accessory? Don’t feel like wearing them anymore? Or are you worried a newly bought gold jewellery may lose its shine? Well, we understand you and we have got your back!

We are about to teach you how to clean gold jewellery because regular maintenance is the most important part of preserving it.

How to clean gold jewellery

Here’s a step-by-step guideline on cleaning your gold jewellery at home:

1. Heat some water to a lukewarm temperature.
2. Put the lukewarm water in a small bowl and add a few drops of dish soap.
3. Put your gold pieces in the solution and let them soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Take a soft-bristle brush and gently scrub the jewellery.
5. Take a cotton cloth to dry the jewellery to remove any water residue.

Here are some tips:

• When scrubbing, focus on the areas that dirt may get into.
• Be very careful as you do not want to scratch the surface.
• Make sure you are using a lint-free cloth as lint can cause scratches.

This is a safe but effective way to clean your gold at home.

Also Read: Complete Gold Jewellery Handbook: Care, Types, and Best Buys

Keeping Gold Jewellery Shiny

The method we described earlier will help you keep the shine of your gold jewellery. It will help enhance the sparkle. You should not use any abrasive material or harsh chemicals because not only will that take the shine away, but it will also scratch the surface.

Another hack is using a lint-free cloth to gently polish before and after each wear. What this does is it prevents any oil or dirt build-up, which are some common factors behind the dulling of the metal.

Using Vinegar to Clean Gold Jewellery

Vinegar is a little tricky. It is definitely effective but is it safe? Not really if you aren’t super careful. Vinegar is acidic and may be too harsh. For example, pure gold or delicate pieces may get damaged by Vinegar.

When it comes to 14K gold, you can just dilute vinegar with water. It can remove tarnish and grime.

Using Baking Soda to Clean Gold Jewellery

Baking soda is the opposite of vinegar if you consider its alkalic properties. However, it can be just as harsh as vinegar so do not use it on pure gold. For alloyed gold, you can make a paste out of a small amount of baking soda with water.

Using a brush, scrub the gold jewellery with the baking soda. It can be super effective in removing dirt and tarnish that regular soapy water cannot chemically remove.

Using Toothpaste to Clean Gold Jewellery

If you do feel like a daredevil, opt for baking soda or vinegar. Or if you want to play it safe, go for soapy water. Either way, it’s a big fat no for toothpaste. Why? Toothpaste has chemicals meant to clean your teeth, it is definitely not intended for your gold. The chemicals can be abrasive while not being as effective.

Cleaning 14k Gold Jewellery

14K Gold Jewellery is sturdy and durable but that does not mean it doesn’t require attention to detail. It still needs good care to maintain the shine.

A regular cleaning routine with soapy water is ideal. From time to time, you should also consult a professional for a more thorough cleaning.

Cleaning Tarnished Gold

It’s not easy for gold to tarnish but if your jewellery is showing a dull appearance, it’s likely that foreign substances (metals) have mixed with it. To remove the tarnish, we suggest using the paste of baking soda that we mentioned earlier. Or take it to a professional, they are the best equipped to deal with it.

To prevent tarnish in the first place, store your jewellery in air-tight and dry storage boxes. Don’t let them come into contact with water unnecessarily and keep them separately from other accessories.

Cleaning Gold Jewellery with Diamonds

If you are cleaning jewellery that has both gold and diamonds, that’s nothing short of treasure! So treat it like one. The regular clean-up with soapy water is enough but you should gently scrub around the diamond setting. Be careful not to loosen the stones while cleaning.

Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia, as they can damage both the gold and the diamonds.

Cleaning Gold Earrings

Gold earrings come very close to your skin. So do bracelets and rings, especially with other surfaces. It’s easier for them to accumulate oils (through your bodily fluids or skincare items) and dirt quickly.

When dealing with these accessories, you should use a soft cotton cloth to wipe the jewellery after each use. Try not to wear them during physical activities such as exercise or swimming. Your goal is to keep any sort of harmful substances away from your jewellery. Then, soapy water clean-up will be enough to keep them squeaky clean and shiny.

How Do Professionals Clean Gold Jewellery?

Professionals use tools that we do not have access to, such as ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaners. They can remove deep dirt that you miss out on. They are effective in restoring the original sparkle and shine due to using polishing cloths and specialised solutions.

And that is exactly why going for professional cleaning once or twice a year is a good decision, especially if your gold has accumulated tarnish.

Pure Gold vs. Alloyed Gold

24K is what we know as pure gold. It consists of purely gold and has no other metal in its composition. This means it is not alloyed. The purity makes it soft and delicate. On the other hand, alloyed gold like 14K is more durable.

While cleaning both, you have to be as gentle as possible and avoid using abrasive materials. But 14K gold can handle more vigorous cleaning than 24K.

A little TLC can keep your gold jewellery sparkling for years to come. Whether you prefer a gentle soapy water cleaning or are feeling a bit adventurous with baking soda, regular care gives your precious pieces the love they deserve!

Take a look at 14K and 18K Gold jewellery from Argent and Asher. Here we believe in jewellery that stays brilliant and tarnish-free, and there are absolutely no factory shortcuts.

Our personalised designs will surely add a unique touch to your attire. Explore Argent & Asher for timeless and trendy pieces.