HOW TO CLEAN GOLD-PLATED JEWELRY

How to Clean gold plated jewelry
How to Clean gold plated jewelry


Gold-plated jewelry is a beautiful and affordable way to enjoy the look of gold without the expensive price tag. However, gold-plated jewelry can lose its luster over time if not properly cared for.


Luckily, cleaning gold-plated jewelry is relatively simple and only requires a few household ingredients that you likely already have on hand. With a little time and effort, you can have your gold-plated jewelry looking as good as new! Read on for a few quick tips on cleaning gold-plated jewelry.




HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CLEAN YOUR GOLD-PLATED JEWELRY?


Cleaning gold-plated items too often can actually damage it. You should only clean gold-plated jewelry when it looks dull or dirty. If you wear your jewelry every day, you may need to clean it once a week. If you only wear it occasionally, you can probably get away with cleaning it once a month.


The chemicals in jewelry cleaners can strip away the gold coating, leaving the jewelry looking dull and discolored. If you must clean your gold-plated jewelry more often than once a week, use a mild soap and warm water solution. Avoid using harsh chemicals.


Also, after wearing plated gold jewelry, carefully wipe each piece with a microfiber cloth to remove smudges, dirt, and oil. A buildup of dirt and oil can cause a tarnished gold plating.




HOW TO CLEAN GOLD-PLATED JEWELRY:


If your plated gold jewelry looks a little lackluster, give it a good cleaning! You can easily clean your gold jewelry at home with just a few simple household ingredients. Follow these steps, and you'll have sparkling clean jewelry.



Supplies:


  • All-natural liquid soap
  • Warm Water
  • Small bowl
  • Clean, microfiber cloth
  • Cotton ball
  • Cotton swab



Cleaning Instructions:


  • If the plated pieces are contaminated with visible soil or feel sticky, it is best to clean them using a warm, soapy solution. In a small bowl, combine one cup of warm water and a few drops of all-natural dishwashing detergent.


  • Avoid hot water and harsh chemicals when cleaning your jewelry, as this can cause the layer of gold to break down and peel away.




Soak the Jewelry:


  • Place the jewelry in soapy water and soak for 10 minutes unless the pieces feature gems, pearls, or enamel. To avoid scratches, do not clean your entire jewelry collection at once; clean only one piece at a time.




Tackle Embedded Soil:


  • Use a cotton swab to clean any surface soil from small crevices for intricately carved items.


  • Or, use a soft toothbrush, not a knife or paper clip, to gently scrub away the gunk. You can scratch the gold layer if you use a sharp object.



Rinse, Dry & Buff


  • Rinse the jewelry in warm running water. Dry with a lint-free, soft cloth.




Wipe Down After Each Wear


  • After each usage, clean your jewelry by wiping down eachpiece with a damp cotton ball or microfiber cloth to remove body oils and dirt. Allow the jewelry to air-dry before placing the pieces away in storage.




HOW TO CLEAN EMBELLISHED GOLD JEWELRY: 


If your plated in gold pieces showcase valuable or semi-precious stones, you should avoid soaking the pieces in water for prolonged periods. Instead of soaking, use a damp cotton ball soaked in the dishwashing liquid + water cleaning solution to clean the pieces. Gently rub and then rinse with plain water; dry and buff each piece after rinsing it.




HOW TO CORRECT CLEANING MISTAKES ON GOLD-PLATED JEWELRY:


A tarnished gold plating can result from using harsh jewelry cleaners. Many commercial jewelry cleaners contain chemicals that can strip away the gold coating revealing the base metal. If you must use a cleanser, opt for one that is safe for plated in gold jewelry and follow the instructions on the bottle to avoid damaging your pieces. If your gold jewelry has already lost its luster, there are a few things you can do to revive it.


If your jewelry pieces appear dull after cleaning them with soft toothpaste, silver polish, or other harsh jewelry cleaners, combine two to three drops of all-natural dishwashing liquid and a warm water solution and soak them for five minutes. Use a soft cloth to wipe away any remaining film from previous cleaners. Gently rub to avoid removing the gold and allow each piece to air-dry.


Sometimes, dull gold jewelry results from a plating that's too thin. When this happens, the jeweler can replate your jewelry with a thicker layer of gold. This process will transform your non-shiny gold into having a brilliant, long-lasting luster.


Other causes of non-shiny gold include a build-up of lotions, oils, and sweat on the surface of the metal. To correct this problem, clean your jewelry more frequently. Gently wipe each piece down with a jewelry cloth after each wear, and give it a deeper clean once a week using a dishwashing liquid and water solution.


If you live in a particularly humid climate, clean your jewelry more often to prevent the moisture in the air from dulling the metal.



CAN YOU POLISH GOLD-PLATED JEWELRY REGULARLY?


You can, but we do not recommend it. Plated and solid gold jewelry are not the same. Polishing plated jewelry too often can damage the layer of gold and cause it to wear away more quickly.


If you must polish gold-plated jewelry, use a lint-free cloth dampened with a gentle, all-natural polishing liquid. Then, apply the agent to the jewelry cloth, not directly to the jewelry, and then rub it gently in a circular motion. Next, rinse the jewelry in lukewarm water and dry with a soft, clean cloth when you're finished. It is ok to polish gold-plated jewelry once in a while to restore shine, but be sure not to do it too often, as it will damage the thin layer of gold.


Unlike solid gold, a thin layer of the metal rubs off every time you buff a gold plate. Over time, this can cause the plating to become very thin and frail or take on a weird tapered shape. If you're going to buff your gold-plated jewelry, do so very gently and as little as possible.




IS GOLD-PLATED THE SAME AS GOLD VEREIL OR GOLD-FILLED ?


No, plated jewelry is not the same as gold vermeil or gold-filled jewelry. Here's a quick rundown of the three types of gold jewelry:


First, gold-plated pieces consist of a thin layer of gold applied to a base metal through flash plating. The layer of gold is usually less than 2.5 microns thick and can wear away over time, exposing the base metal beneath.


Next, gold vermeil jewelry is made by bonding a layer of gold (2.5 microns thick) to sterling silver through an electroplating process. This type of jewelry is more expensive than gold-plated jewelry because it uses a higher quality metal. Gold vermeil jewelry will also last longer, as the gold layer will not wear away as quickly.


Finally, gold-filled jewelry is made by bonding through pressure a thick layer of gold to a base metal. Gold-filled jewelry is the most durable of the three types of jewelry, followed by vermeil and then gold plated. Gold-plated jewelry has the thinnest layer of gold and is the least durable; however, all three types of jewelry can last a long time with proper care.




CLEANING VS. REPLATING


It can be confusing when deciding whether to clean or get your jewelry replated. If you think your jewelry might need replating, take it to a professional jeweler for evaluation.


Some factors that contribute to the need for replating are listed below:


-The gold coat is wearing thin in spots or flaking off entirely.


-The jewelry is discolored or dull.


-It has scratches or other damage.


-The jewelry is starting to show signs of tarnish.


-It's been a while since you've had it done – typically 12 to 18 months.


If you're not sure whether your jewelry needs replating, it's always best to take it to a professional jeweler for evaluation. They will be able to tell you for sure and recommend the best course of action. Replating will help restore the jewelry's original luster and protect it from further wear and tear.




HOW TO CARE FOR GOLD-PLATED JEWELRY: 


The greatest thing you can do to help plated jewelry retain its radiance for as long as possible is to take preventative measures to avoid harm.


  • Before handling gold-plated jewelry, make sure your hands are clean of lotions, make-up, and perfumes. This is important because these products can cause the gold to tarnish more quickly. Make-up, in particular, can cause gold-plated earrings to turn a greenish color.


  • Remove plated pieces while swimming in salt-water pools or chlorinated pools. Wearing pieces coated in gold while swimming in chlorinated or salt-water pools can cause the gold plating to tarnish quickly.


  • Avoid wearing gold-plated jewelry before working out or when sweaty. Body oils contain high salt levels, which can cause the metal to corrode over time.


  • It's essential to store pieces coated in gold in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or artificial light. It would be best to keep each piece of jewelry in a separate compartment in a jewelry box lined with fabric to prevent scratching against each other. Avoid storing jewelry in a bag or mixing it with other metals, as precious metals are easily scratched.


  • Do not mix gold and silver plated jewelry together when storing them. The different metals can cause each other to tarnish more quickly.


  • Storing your jewelry in an airtight container is also an excellent way to protect it from tarnishing. Sulfur compounds in the air can cause gold to tarnish quickly, so it's important to keep it sealed in an airtight container when not in use. You can find airtight containers at most craft stores.


  • Silica gel packets can also help absorb moisture and prevent tarnishing. Place one packet in the container with your jewelry to help keep it dry.


  • When handling acidic ingredients, such as lemon juice or vinegar, remove your gold-plated jewelry to avoid contact between the acid and the metal.


  • Remove gold-plated pieces while cleaning with harsh chemicals. The chemicals can strip the gold plating from the jewelry revealing the base metal. Some of the worst chemicals found in cleaning solutions are ammonia, chlorine, bleach, etc.


  • We do not recommend an ultrasonic machine for cleaning gold-plated items. The ultrasonic waves generated by an ultrasonic cleaner can cause the plating to vibrate, loosening the bond between the gold and the base metal. In addition, the cleaning solution used in an ultrasonic cleaner can strip away the gold plating. It is also harmful to already set stones, as it can loosen them from their setting, which may cause a lost or damaged stone. For example, a stone encased in a loose prong setting can fall against a hard surface and chip or scratch. Or, worse yet, it can be lost forever.


  • Using a professional steamer is also not recommended to clean gold-plated jewelry, as steam can cause rusting. Ultrasonic cleaners can loosen stones from their settings and damage porous stones like lapis or turquoise. 



WRAPPING UP


Now that you know how to clean gold-plated jewelry, you can keep your pieces shining bright. Just remember to be gentle when cleaning and to avoid using abrasive materials or chemicals. With a little care, your gold-plated jewelry will stay looking beautiful for years to come.