30 Sep How to Clean Gold-Plated Jewelry Without Damaging It

How to Clean Gold-Plated Jewelry Without Damaging It

 

Gold-plated jewellery is an option for those who wish to use their jewellery to incorporate some luxury in their jewellery but cannot afford to use actual gold. It also gives the appearance of gold at a very cheap cost. Certainly looks gold, but costs a fraction of the price.

Nevertheless, gold plating is quite thin and may be worn away or tarnished in due course, particularly when it is exposed to moisture, chemicals, or even when used normally. This is the reason why gold-plated jewelry should be washed and maintained to make it look bright.

Proper cleaning of gold-plated jewelry is an essential step in the maintenance of this kind of jewelry, and will certainly stress the value of the latter. With this document, we intend to provide you with the necessary information regarding the gold-plated jewelry cleaning process, how to remove tarnish, and maintain the jewel in its post-purchase condition.

You may need to learn how to clean tarnished gold plating, or you may simply want to know how to clean the stuff; we have you.

Understanding Gold-Plated Jewelry

Before we get down to cleaning, let’s understand what gold-plated jewelry is, and how it is done.

What Is Gold-Plated Jewelry?

Gold-plated jewelry is made up of a thin coating of gold placed on a metallic backing layer made of copper or brass, and occasionally of stainless steel. This layer of gold is normally created by being electroplated onto the main metal, or the process that is used is more or less the same, and connects the weight of gold. The plating may carry disparities in quality, and it is imperative to keep in mind that the gold plating is very thin compared to pure gold.

This makes gold-plated jewels easier to wear out and tear. During wear, the plating may also be removed, passing the bottom metal beneath, and that is why cleaning and repairing were critical to ensuring that your pieces are presentable.

And now that you have heard what gold-plated jewelry is, and how to keep it clean without ruining it.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Gold-Plated Jewelry

Now that we have the fundamentals tabled, we can proceed to the most important part, which is cleaning your gold-plated jewelry without destroying it. These are the steps of safe and effective cleaning.

1. Prepare the Cleaning Solution

The initial process in cleaning gold-plated jewelry is to prepare a mild and gentle cleaning solution. To do so:

• Mix warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap.
• Combine the solution and mix it lightly to make a liquid solution with soap that will be used to clean.

The gold plating is not subjected to harsh chemicals that might cause damage hence the use of a mild dish soap.

2. Soak the Jewelry

Then your gold-plated jewelry should be put in soapy water and left there for about 5-10 minutes. Before rubbing in the jewelry, soaking is important to loosen the dirt, oils or any dirt accumulated on the surface. This is necessary in complex works that have complex designs because dirt has a chance of collecting in areas that are difficult to reach.

Important Tip: Do not put jewelry with glued gem-stones in water as it may become weak in the presence of water.

3. Clean Gently with a Soft Brush

Wet the brush or cotton swab then scrub the jewelry. This is a particularly handy procedure in jewelry that has extensive ornamentation or contains a lot of crevices. Always brush with a light hand and never with rough brushes, which do scratch and cut the gold plating.

Alternative: You can also clean the jewelry with a microfiber cloth in case you do not have the brush, make sure that you do not leave any scratches and marks.

4. Rinse Thoroughly

After cleaning the jewelry, then it is time to rinse the jewelry with lukewarm running water. This will eliminate the soap residue that remains and this may accumulate in case it is left on jewelry. Always make sure that you gently dry the jewelry using a soft lint free cloth.

Note: The water temperature should not be too hot and this may even break the plating.

5. Dry and Buff the Jewelry

Rinse the jewelry and then dry it using a microfiber cloth to make sure it is dry. When the jewelry is dry, rub the jewelry surface with the cloth and this will put back any shine and any streaks that still remain.

Tips for Maintaining Gold-Plated Jewelry

It is necessary to wash your jewelry as it is necessary to make sure that the life of jewelry is extended further by good care.

Regular Cleaning

Wipe your jewelry carefully with a soft cloth every time you use it so that it gets wiped off oils, dirt as well as residues. This will prevent the build-up and help in keeping the jewelry shiny.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Wearing your gold-plated jewelry and putting it in contact with strenuous chemicals, including perfume, lotions and cleaning supplies, is among the most efficient ways of maintaining a blazing gold-plated surface. The gold plating can be dissolved by these compounds and lead to its accelerated tarnishment.

Proper Storage

Jewelry that is gold plated must not be left in a warm and humid environment and is best kept in a cool dry place like a soft compartment thus they do not scratch other jewellery. Make sure that the jewelry does not touch several containers of moisture that are stagnant since that increases the speed at which they tarnish.

When to Seek Professional Help

When your gold-plated jewellery is very much tarnished or the plating has worn away in some places, then it’s time to get some professional assistance. Most jewelers provide services of replating with which you can revive the gold coating and revive your pieces.

Replacing can be an option in the case of items of emotional attachment or in the case of high quality items which are wearing out. One should seek professional advice to know how much it is going to cost and whether it is worth refurbishing the piece.

Conclusion

Taking care of your gold plated jewelry does not have to be a hard task. As outlined in the above steps and through good cleaning practices, then you can rest assured that your jewelry will continue to shine and last many years. 

At House of Jewellery we have a beautiful range of the gold-plated jewels which are made with both beauty and durability in mind. Visit us now, and discover the ideal jewelry to include in your wardrobe.

FAQs

How to make gold-plated jewelry look gold again?

In order to restore the appearance of a gold-plated jewelry, it is first necessary to clean it a little bit using a solution of warm water and light dish soap. Wet the jewelry and leave it some few minutes after which a soft cloth should be used to eliminate dirt and oils. In case of tarnish, a paste consisting of baking soda and water can be used and applied on the tarnished part by rubbing it. A thorough rinsing and drying with soft cloth is always required. 

Will vinegar damage gold-plated jewelry?

Gold-plated jewelry is susceptible to vinegar when it comes into direct contact. Its acidity may eventually wear away the thin coat of gold resulting in discoloration and tarnish. It is preferable not to use vinegar and to use mild soap solution in lukewarm water, which is milder and safer in preserving the gold finish on the jewelry.

Can I use baking soda to clean gold-plated jewelry?

To clean gold-plated jewelry, it is possible to use baking soda, but in small amounts. Combine a small portion of baking soda and water in order to create a paste and place it carefully on the stained parts using a soft cloth. Never apply too much pressure or scrubbing because baking soda is not very harsh and may damage the gold plating when applied too often. Rinse the jewelry using a soft, lint-free cloth after cleaning it.

How often should you clean gold-plated jewelry?

Cleaning the jewelry that is gold plated will depend on the wearing frequency. With jewelry that is used on a daily basis, it is advisable to wipe down a piece of jewelry on a daily basis with a soft cloth and give it a deeper cleaning after every 2 to 4 weeks. During jewelry that is not used frequently, it is enough to clean the jewelry every month. Frequent cleaning will avoid accumulation of dirt, preserve the shine, and prevent tarnishing.

Is toothpaste safe for cleaning gold-plated jewelry?

Gold-plated jewelry cannot be cleaned with the help of toothpaste. It is intense and has the ability to scratch the layer of gold and lead to a wear off as time goes by. Simple dish soap, lukewarm water, and a soft cloth are recommended to wash the jewelry made of gold-plating in order not to destroy the fragile gold plating.

How do you clean gold-plated jewelry with mild soap and water?

Cleaning gold-plated jewelry with mild soap and water- To wash gold-plated jewelry with mild soap and water, place a small amount of mild dish soap in a small bowl with a small amount of lukewarm water. Wet the jewelry by immersion in water in 5-10 minutes to loosen dirt and oils. Following soaking, carefully brush the jewelry using soft bristled brush or cotton swab paying attention to details. Wash the jewelry using lukewarm water in order to get away with the soap residue. Lastly, dry it with a dry cloth that is lint free and light buff to give it its shine again. This is a safe and efficient way of cleaning and does not hurt the gold plating.