WHAT GOLD DOESN'T TARNISH?


It's a question we get asked often - what gold doesn't tarnish? After all, who wants their luxurious jewelry pieces to lose its luster over time? We've got the answers.


WHICH GOLD DOESN'T TARNISH?


The simple answer is that 24-karat gold is the only type of gold that doesn't tarnish. This is the most traditional form of gold, and it is what primarily comes to people's minds when they think of "gold." 24-karat gold is also the priciest type because it does not contain any other mixed metals. That means it is pure gold in its raw, natural form.


Even though 24-karat gold is resistant to tarnishing, it's not the ideal choice for jewelry because of its softness. Pure gold's delicate nature makes it easy to scratch and dent; as a result, pieces may easily bend or break. Therefore, other metals are often used in place of pure gold when making jewelry items that require durability.


If you're in the market for a piece of gold jewelry that will last a long time and is less likely to tarnish, then keep reading for some suggestions.



HOW DOES GOLD TARNISH?


Remember, only pure gold is tarnish-free.


Alloyed gold tarnishes when it comes into contact with oxygen and other chemicals. The reaction between the sulfur in the air and alloyed gold creates a thin, dark film on the surface of metal. Over time, this film can become thicker and more noticeable.


While there is no way to prevent alloyed gold from tarnishing completely, there are some things that you can do to minimize the effect. For example, you can store your gold jewelry in a sealed container to prevent oxidization, you can keep it away from harsh chemicals and water, and you can even have it plated with a protective coating.



WHAT DOES TARNISHED GOLD LOOK LIKE?


Tarnished gold can look dull, dark, and lifeless. The loss of luster is the main visual sign that gold has tarnished. When gold tarnishes, it loses its shine and looks more like a piece of metal than a precious metal. Gold tarnish results from a chemical reaction between the gold and other materials, such as oxygen or sulfur. The type of tarnish depends on the element that causes it. For example, oxygen causes black tarnish, while sulfur causes yellow or brown tarnish. 



WILL GOLD TARNISH IN WATER?


Yes, alloyed gold tarnishes in water. Moisture can contribute to the tarnishing process, but the rate at which gold tarnishes in water varies depending on the type of water and other factors.


In general, if you leave gold in water for too long, it will eventually start to turn a greenish-black color. This happens because alloyed gold is a reactive metal that reacts with water and oxygen to form gold oxide. However, gold oxide is not as shiny as pure gold and can be difficult to remove from surfaces. If you want to keep your gold jewelry looking its best, avoid getting it wet or leaving it in water for extended periods of time.



HOW DO YOU PREVENT GOLD TARNISH?


Gold is a beautiful and valuable metal, but it can also be prone to tarnish. Tarnish is a discoloration that occurs when you expose alloyed gold to moisture or other chemicals. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prevent your gold jewelry from tarnishing. 


HERE ARE FIVE TIPS:


1. Store your gold jewelry in a dry place. This will help keep moisture away, which is one of the main causes of metal tarnish. The chemicals in moisture react with the gold, causing it to discolor.


2.Keep your jewelry away from other metals, which can cause tarnish stains. If you keep your gold and silver jewelry together, the silver will start to discolor the gold over time because silver contains a chemical called sulfur, which reacts with gold to create tarnish.


3. Apply a protective coating to your jewelry to help prevent tarnish. Several products on the market can do this. The protective coating will create a barrier between the gold and any chemicals that might cause tarnish.


4. Clean your gold jewelry regularly to keep it looking shiny and new. Regular cleaning will remove any built-up tarnish and help keep your jewelry looking its best. Use a gentle soap and water solution to clean it, and then dry it with a soft cloth. This cleaning mixture will help to keep the coating in good condition and prevent tarnish from forming.


5. Keep your gold jewelry away from harsh chemicals. Several harsh chemicals can damage your gold jewelry and cause it to tarnish. These include bleach, ammonia, and chlorine. So if you're ever in doubt about whether or not a chemical is safe to use near your jewelry, it's best to err on the side of caution and avoid it.



HOW TO CLEAN GOLD TARNISH?


Gold tarnish is a common problem that many people face. Though it may seem difficult to remove, there are actually a few simple ways to clean gold tarnish. With a little patience and the right products, you can restore your gold jewelry to its original shine in no time.


One of the easiest ways to clean gold tarnish is with dish soap and warm water. Simply mix together a few drops of dish soap with warm water in a bowl. Then, use a soft cloth to gently scrub the tarnished areas of your gold jewelry. Rinse the jewelry off with cool water when finished and dry it with a soft cloth.


If dish soap and water doesn’t seem to be doing the trick, you can try using a mild abrasive like baking soda. Make a paste out of baking soda and water and use it to scrub the tarnished areas of your jewelry. Rinse the jewelry off when finished and dry it with a soft cloth.


For tougher tarnish, you may need to use a commercial gold cleaner. These cleaners are designed specifically for removing tarnish from gold jewelry. Follow the instructions on the cleaner carefully, as some cleaners may require you to soak your jewelry in them for several minutes. Rinse the jewelry off when finished and dry it with a soft cloth.
If all else fails, you can always take your gold jewelry to a professional jeweler for cleaning. However, this should be a last resort as most jewelers will charge you a fee for their services.



SHOULD WHITE GOLD TARNISH?


All white gold will tarnish over time, but the rate depends on both the quality of the metal and how often it is worn. The lower the quality of white gold, the quicker it will tarnish because it contains more alloy metals, whereas higher-quality white gold (which contains more pure gold) will last longer without tarnishing.


Frequent wear can also cause white gold to tarnish more quickly, as the oils from your skin act as a catalyst. However, with proper care, your white gold jewelry should retain its luster for many years to come.



WILL GOLD VERMEIL TARNISH?


Yes, eventually, vermeil gold will tarnish. However, it can take a long time, depending on the quality of the gold plating, the base metal, and how often the piece is worn. The thicker the gold plating and the better quality of the metals used underneath, the longer it will take for your vermeil gold to tarnish. The more you wear it, the more contact it has with lotions, oils, perfumes, and other substances that can cause quicker tarnishing.


However, vermeil gold is a great option for those who want the look of gold without the high price tag, but be aware that it won't last forever before requiring a replating.



DOES GOLD-FILLED TARNISH?


Gold-filled jewelry is composed of a substantial layer of gold, typically many times thicker than gold plating, which is pressure bonded to a base metal. Because of the thick layer of gold, gold-filled jewelry is much less likely to tarnish than regular gold-plated jewelry. However, over time it is still possible for the gold layer on gold-filled jewelry to wear away, exposing the base metal beneath. If this happens, the jewelry may start to tarnish. So, if you are looking for jewelry that will last a long time without tarnishing, gold-filled is a good option, but it is not impervious to tarnish.



DOES SOLID 14K GOLD TARNISH?


All types of alloyed gold, including solid 14k gold, will eventually tarnish. However, because 14k gold contains a higher percentage of pure gold than other types of alloyed gold jewelry, like 10k or 12k, it will take significantly longer to discolor. The higher the gold purity, the less likely it is to tarnish.



DOES 24K GOLD PLATED TARNISH?


Yes, all 24k gold-plated jewelry will eventually tarnish. This is because 24 gold-plated jewelry is different from solid gold, which never tarnishes, corrodes, or rusts.


However, you can do things to slow down the tarnishing of gold plating and keep your gold-plated jewelry looking good for as long as possible, such as avoiding harsh chemicals, moisture, and humidity. You should also clean your gold-plated jewelry regularly with mild soap and warm water to remove any dirt or oil that can accelerate the tarnishing process.



DOES 18K GOLD PLATED TARNISH?


Any gold jewelry not made of 24 karats will tarnish over time because lower karats contain other metal alloys. If you mix other metals with pure gold, it becomes harder to keep the bright color of gold, and the metal will gradually tarnish naturally over time.


"18k gold plated" means that there is a coating of 18 karat gold over the piece of jewelry's base metal. Tarnished gold plating will occur because 18k is not made entirely of pure gold. The rate that jewelry tarnishes depends on how thick the gold plating is and what kind of metal is contained in the alloy mix.


The good news is that 18K gold-plated jewelry doesn't require much maintenance. You can clean tarnished gold-plated jewelry with a mixture of all-natural, mild soap and water. Make sure to dry it afterward with a soft, clean cloth. You should avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning your gold-plated jewelry as they may damage the coating. Instead, opt for regular all-natural cleanings to keep your jewelry shining bright.



WRAPPING UP


Over time, all types of alloyed gold jewelry will inevitably become tarnished. The only exception is pure gold, which is immune to tarnish. The key is to understand the metal content and quality of your gold jewelry so that you can take the proper step to extend its life as long as possible.


Higher-quality plating (thicker) and higher gold purity content (high karat weight) typically mean less tarnishing, whereas lower-quality or mixed metals will show signs of tarnishing sooner. For example, 18k gold will last longer than 14 or 10k before tarnishing. The same is true for vermeil pieces compared to thin gold plating, but with proper care and maintenance, your gold jewelry should retain its luster for many years to come.