Tips For Upkeep of Gold Jewelry

General

You can clean gold jewelry with warm water mixed with a few drops of mild dish soap or baby shampoo. Soak the jewelry for 15-20 minutes, then gently scrub with a soft cloth, soft-bristled toothbrush, or clean makeup brush. Rinse thoroughly with running water and pat dry with a soft cloth. Avoid paper towels or tissues, which can scratch the surface. You can also use a jewelry polishing cloth.

Daily Wear Tips

• If treated right, gold jewelry should last for years. Here are a few things to keep in mind regularly while wearing gold jewelry:
• Gold is a soft metal: while gold has a shine and a luster all its own, it’s also a soft metal. This makes it susceptible to dings, scratches, and dents. Remember your gold rings and bracelets while wearing them, and remove them while playing high-contact sports.
• Chlorine is gold’s worst enemy: with repeated exposure, chlorine will weaken your gold jewelry’s structure and eventually lead to its breaking. Take your jewelry off before getting into a pool or spa.
• Cover or remove while cleaning: household cleaners with acids or abrasives will damage your jewelry’s finish. Use rubber gloves while cleaning (we recommend doing this anyway to protect your skin), or remove your jewelry altogether.
• Put your jewelry on last when ready: makeup, perfume, hairspray, and lotions can damage your gold. Be sure to put these things on before your jewelry to limit the exposure.
• Take jewelry off before bathing: wearing jewelry while you bathe can lead to a buildup of soap, which will cause a film on your jewelry.

Regular Cleaning Tips

• When worn regularly, your gold jewelry is exposed to skin oils, sweat, dust, makeup, and more. To keep its shine, you should clean your jewelry regularly with 10 parts warm water and 2-parts dish soap. Here are a few extra tips:
• Soaking is the key: Soak your gold jewelry pieces for 3 hours and scrub them gently with a soft brush. Rinse under clean water and blot dry with a cloth.
• Bonus tip: for an extra shine, use a jewelry polishing cloth after this! Do not use a paper towel or tissue, as these can scratch your jewelry.
• Clean with soap as needed: by all means, clean your jewelry at home, but don’t overdo it! Only clean your jewelry when it’s visibly dirty or gathering a patina.
• Other jeweler-approved cleaners: rubbing alcohol is excellent for cleaning and sanitizing, but avoid bleach!
• Look out for damage: during your regular jewelry cleanings, be on the lookout for any damage or loose stones. Cleaning damaged pieces can only make the problem worse.

How to Store Your Gold Jewelry

• After you’ve worn and cleaned your gold jewelry for the day, the next step in taking proper care of it is to store it properly.
• Use a jewelry box: a clean, dry, fabric-lined jewelry box is the best option.
• Wrap each piece in a soft cloth: If you don’t have a jewelry box, save those free phone screen clothes and use the extras to wrap each piece of your jewelry individually.
• Store pieces separately: this prevents jewelry from tangling or scratching each other.

Schedule a Yearly Cleaning

All the above tips are great ways to take care of your fine gold jewelry daily. However, doing those things alone is not enough. We recommend cleaning your jewelry professionally annually and checking for loose prongs and damages.