Like silver, gold is one of the precious metals used in the design of high-value jewelry. Gold is an inalterable metal, but tarnishes over time. Dust, sweat and chemicals are the enemies of gold jewels. Rhodium plating makes jewelry more resistant, but without it, it’s normal to notice imperfections over time. Planetys reveals the best tips for cleaning your gold jewelry and restoring its shine.
How to care for your gold jewelry
Taking care of your gold jewelry over the long term requires you to adopt the right reflexes. It’s also important to avoid making certain mistakes.
Good habits and safety precautions
After using your bracelets and rings, whether set with precious stones or not, it’s important to wrap them in a soft cloth and store them carefully in their case. This will protect them from dust, knocks and scratches. Beforehand, however, it’s a good idea to polish them with chamois leather. This will preserve their beauty over time.
When wearing gold-plated jewelry, avoid using perfume or other sprays. The chemical components present in these products could alter it. What’s more, from now on you’ll need to be careful to allow cosmetics to penetrate properly before putting on a gold-plated ring, wedding band or bracelet. Keep your gold objects away from solvents and nail polish, which can cause reactions on contact.
Mistakes not to be made
Some people use silver cleaning solutions on gold jewelry. This terrible mistake can further tarnish gold and accelerate its ageing. Similarly, bleach and detergents are abrasive products with a harmful effect on gold jewels. To preserve the beauty of your treasures, Planetys advises you to wear gloves when handling chemicals or objects such as sponges. This simple method will prevent damage to the jewel during housework.
It’s also important to put the gold jewel away before playing sports. The same applies when you go to the beach or swimming pool. If you notice that your object is tarnishing, you can turn to your jeweller for maintenance, or try the grandmotherly tips below.
Cleaning gold jewelry with Marseille soap
Another technique for making gold jewelry shine is to use Marseille soap. Put this product on a toothbrush and use it to scrub the jewelry. Then soak it in warm soapy water for 2-3 minutes before removing. Rinse and dry with a clean cloth. The object instantly regains its luminosity. This technique works equally well on yellow, white and rose gold. To dry them, you can also use absorbent paper or chamois leather.
Onion juice for cleaning gold jewelry
Cleaning gold jewelry with onion juice is a tried-and-tested grandmotherly trick. You can collect the juice by cooking the onion or squeezing it with a suitable tool. The jewel, bracelet, wedding ring or ring to be cleaned can be soaked in this mixture for one minute. Alternatively, cut the onion in half and rub it directly onto the objects. All grease and dirt will be removed. Finish with a cloth to remove any moisture.
Baking powder, a practical product for gold
To clean your gold jewellery without damaging it, consider baking powder. It’s not just for cooking, but also for cleaning jewelry. Mixing this product with hot water is a great way to add shine in a jiffy. Gently clean jewelry with this mixture before rinsing. Alternatively, sprinkle with yeast and bleach without water. After rinsing, wipe with a lint-free cloth. Yeast can also be replaced by talcum powder using the same process.
Toothpaste for shiny gold jewelry
Toothpaste is indispensable for oral hygiene, but it’s also an excellent cleaner. Toothpaste works wonders on gold jewellery when it comes to cleaning. To take advantage of these virtues, simply coat a soft-bristled brush with toothpaste. Rub it gently against the metal. It’s important to use circular movements to maximize the effectiveness of this method. If you havean electric soft-bristle toothbrush , prefer it to a standard tool. Leave the toothpaste to dry before rinsing with water, then remove the moisture with a gentle towel dry.
Breadcrumbs for gem-set jewelry
Whether gold or silver, jewels set with precious stones require special attention. To make them shine, the use of breadcrumbs may surprise you. In fact, it acts as an exfoliant, removing any dirt present on the jewel. This unusual technique requires delicate gestures for maximum effectiveness. Rub fresh breadcrumbs into small balls. These will polish the metal and restore its shine. At the end, simply wipe the bracelet or ring with a soft cloth.
Baking soda, the ultimate cleaning product
Ideal for cleaning silver jewelry, baking soda also works for cleaning gold. Simply pour a little powder on the object or dip it in a baking soda solution. You can also soak a cloth in the solution and gently clean every part of your jewel.
Lemon juice for well-maintained gold
Thecitric acid in lemon juice attacks and removes dirt. Its action on gold jewelry is remarkable when it comes to making it captivating. Gently clean your jewelry with a cloth soaked in lemon juice, then rinse with water. You can also mix lemon juice with cigarette ash. The latter acts as an exfoliant, while the citrus dissolves the limescale.
Washing-up liquid to care for your gold jewelry
To bring out the best in your gold-plated jewelry, whatever the carat number, think of washing-up liquid. Cleaning with it restores instant shine. Simply add a few drops of this high-quality liquid to lukewarm water. Be sure to use a neutral product, without softeners.
Soak gold jewelry before cleaning, then rinse with water. This is an excellent way to care for gold jewelry with diamonds. When washing, always use a soft toothbrush to avoid scratching the gems.
White vinegar, ideal for cleaning jewelry
Give your gold objects a new lease of life with white vinegar. The action of this substance on metals is such that silver and gold objects regain their original beauty. Leave the jewel to stand for half an hour in a container containing a mixture of water and white vinegar. Rinse, then wipe dry.
Foundation, a little-known maintenance product
Did you know that your make-up bag contains an essential element for cleaning your gold bracelets and earrings? This unusual product is foundation. Thanks to its composition, foundation restores luminosity to dull jewelry. To take advantage of this, place a few drops of foundation in a soft cloth, preferably cotton. In this case, there’s no need to rinse with water. Simply use a clean cotton cloth to remove all traces of foundation and admire the result.
Coca-Cola, the perfect cleaner for gold jewelry
More than just a drink, cola quickly removes dirt of all kinds. It’s widely used in cooking, but also in a variety of other circumstances, such as cleaning gold jewelry. To benefit from its virtues, soak your jewelry for half an hour in a glass containing this beverage. The acidity of Coca-Cola will remove any tarnish from your jewelry. Don’t forget to rinse with plenty of water, wipe dry and store in a safe place in your jewellery box or case.
Meudon white
Meudon white is a very fine powder, also known as calcium carbonate, often used as a cleaning agent for jewelry and other delicate surfaces. Here’s how to clean your gold jewelry with meudon white:
- Mix a small amount of blanc de Meudon with warm water to form a thick paste.
- Use a soft cloth to apply the paste to silver jewelry. Rub gently to remove dirt and stains.
- Rinse the jewelry with clear water to remove the paste.
- Dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Be sure not to use blanc de Meudon on jewelry containing delicate stones or pearls, as this may damage their surface.
Talc, for gentle cleaning
Talc is a gentle, non-abrasive product often used to clean gold jewelry. Here’s how it works:
- Sprinkle a little talcum powder on a soft, dry cloth.
- Use the cloth to gently rub the gold jewelry. The talc will help remove dirt and residue without scratching or damaging the gold surface.
- Use a soft bristle brush to clean corners and crevices.
- Rinse jewelry with clear water to remove talcum powder and any additional dirt or residue.
- Dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Lemon juice and ash, the winning duo!
A combination of lemon juice and ash can be used to clean gold jewelry. The anti-scale action of lemon combined with the scrubbing property of ash makes this mixture a real cleaning product:
- Mix a little cold ash with fresh lemon juice to form a paste.
- Apply the paste to gold jewelry with a soft cloth.
- Gently rub the jewelry to remove dirt and stains.
- Rinse with clean water to remove the paste.
- Dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Milk, a cleaning product for your gold jewelry
Have you ever tried pouring milk over your gold jewelry? If you’ve done so by mistake, you may not have noticed the cleaning effect of milk. All you need to do is warm a glass of milk, then dip the bracelet, ring or wedding band you want to clean into it. There’s no need to polish the jewel: the milk makes your golden jewels shine without any effort on your part. After 20 minutes, rinse with cold water and dry with a soft cloth.
Ultrasonic cleaning
Cleaning gold jewelry with an ultrasonic cleaner is a very effective and common method of removing stubborn dirt and stains. Especially those that are difficult to reach. Ultrasonics are high-frequency sound waves that create microscopic bubbles in the water or cleaning solution, which then rapidly implode. This implosion creates a force that removes dirt and stains from the surface of gold jewelry.
It’s important to note that not all types of gold jewelry are suitable for ultrasonic cleaning. You can consult a professional jeweler or the manufacturer of your jewelry for specific advice on cleaning gold jewelry.
