After our article on cleaning silver jewelry, let’s move on to tips for cleaning gold jewelry! Indeed, if you wear your gold rings, necklaces and other bracelets too much, they end up tarnishing due to oxidation, stains and scratches. The contents of your jewelry box then lose all their shine and there is no question of using a dirty gold wedding ring on your stye to treat it! So, to make them shine like the first day without having to go to your jeweler, here are some tips from your grandmother. And while most of the tips will be used for yellow gold, we will also discuss techniques for white and pink gold.
Take a soft-bristled toothbrush and a clean, soft cloth for polishing (microfiber cloth or chamois) and follow these few economical tips.
1) Never do when caring for gold jewelry
Above all, never use silverware cleaning products on your gold jewelry. In fact, this will have the effect of tarnishing them even more and making them age prematurely. Furthermore, many products can harm the shine of your jewelry: hairspray, perfume, detergents and abrasive products (bleach), humidity, etc. So, avoid exposing your precious metal jewelry to these products as much as possible. Wearing gloves can, for example, provide good everyday protection (dishes, cleaning, etc.). Finally, never put them away in their box without having worn a chamois to polish them gently! This way, if they are dirty, they will not macerate with their dirt. And above all, it is a very effective basic gesture to preserve their shine and durability.
2) Clean yellow gold jewelry
And simple soapy water bath is generally sufficient to clean gold jewelry. To do this, opt for water that is not too hot if the jewelry is decorated with precious stones (this risks breaking them). Then add a small amount of Marseille soap or dishwashing liquid. You can also use a little vinegar in water and some even take a Coca-Cola bain to their gold jewelry! Indeed, their acidity attacks stains effectively. After bathing for a few minutes, scrub the jewelry with a soft brush. Then rinse it with lukewarm water and dry it with a soft, lint-free cloth. Don’t forget to dry the inside and outside well.
You can also use other cleaning methods. THE toothpaste helps clean and shine. It is also possible to make a paste with water and baking soda or mix Meudon white with household alcohol. Then rinse and dry the jewelry well.
3) Make yellow gold jewelry shine
Have you managed to clean your gold jewelry? This may be enough to make them look like new. However, if they still lack shine, several effective methods exist.
You can :
– Rub each jewel with a ball of bread crumbs
– Use half an onion or onion juice on a cloth to rub them
– Sprinkle talcum powder or yeast on the jewelry and rub with a soft cloth.
Good to know: Talcum powder can also be used to untie knots: simply sprinkle it on the pendant and gently remove the knot with a needle
4) And how to clean white gold or rose gold jewelry?
We don’t necessarily clean them like we would clean yellow gold. We need to be extra gentle here!
How to Clean White Gold Jewelry
White gold jewelry is covered with a thin layer of rhodium. It brings a crystalline shine to jewelry, but remains very fragile and fades easily over time. You should therefore not hesitate to touch up this layer with a special jewelry kit for example. This type of gold must also be cleaned more regularly due to its light color. To do this, we will simply bathe in soapy water every week. Scrub gently with a soft brush or cotton swab and wipe with a soft cloth. Then polish with a chamois.
Cleaning rose gold jewelry
If this gold is pink, it is thanks to an alloy and not following the application of a colored layer on the yellow gold. Therefore, cleaning does not risk altering its color. However, the best thing is to wash regularly with soapy water!