Stewart Kuper Care Guide – How to Clean Gold
Jewelry pieces are personal treasures that can become heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation – as long as you treat them right! This time on the Stewart Kuper Jewelers blog we are taking a look at how to clean gold and keep your loved jewelry lovable for a long time to come!
How to Clean Gold
The necessary steps to clean gold jewelry will vary depending on the complete composition of the piece. For instance, plain gold jewelry can be cleaned in a different manner than a piece with inlaid gems. Take that into consideration first, identify what kind of gold jewelry you are looking to freshen up and then read on!
How to Clean Plain Gold Jewelry
Any gold pieces that don’t have gemstones can be cleaned simply, using warm water and a bit of dish soap.
- Fill a small bowl with warm water.
- Add a few drops of mild dish soap.
- Place the jewelry in the soapy water and let sit for 20 minutes.
- Remove the jewelry and using a soft brush or cloth, wipe the jewelry clean.
- Rinse the soap residue with clean water.
- Dry the piece using a clean, dry towel. Leave the piece to air dry before putting it back into your regular rotation!
If your jewelry has gemstones, it’s best not to let it soak in water. While some like diamonds are quite difficult to damage, others are more delicate and can be harmed by soaking in water. With slight alterations, the instructions for plain gold can be applied to some gemstones. Instead of soaking, use a small, soft toothbrush to wet and brush away dirt. Make sure to always check with your local jeweler before cleaning any gemstones.
There are some things to be on the lookout for when it comes to cleaning your gold.
When Cleaning Gold: Avoid…
Soap
This may seem counterintuitive since we listed dish soap as a method of cleaning early, but specifically talking about any soap with ingredients you don’t know. Basic, mild dish soaps are okay, but if the soap contains a lot of other ingredients it can do more harm than good. It’s the same reason you take your jewelry off before showering – all those different soaps can tarnish the goal.
Chlorine
People may jest that ‘chlorine will kill anything!’ but when it comes to gold it’s a certainty. Chlorine, especially when at a high temperature like in a hot tub, can discolor and degrade your gold jewelry.
Once your jewelry is cleaned, make sure you are storing your jewelry safely! Diamonds can easily damage softer gold rings and other gemstones. Read more about the keys to jewelry storage and rest easy knowing you won’t find any damage the next time you go to slip on your favorite gold ring. If your pieces need more than a simple scrub, you might want to speak with your local jeweler to find someone who can give it the professional cleaning and upkeep it needs!
Now that you know a bit more about how to care for gold jewelry, maybe it’s time to shop for your own? As always, shop local and find your local jewelers. If you are in Tucson or nearby, Stewart Kuper Jewelers is ready to be yours. Contact us, schedule an appointment and see what we have to offer, from beautiful engagement rings to customized jewelry, we help our customers find the exact right new piece for them.
