HOW TO CLEAN ROSE-GOLD JEWELRY I
LEARN THE BEST CLEANING METHODS
Cleaning rose-gold jewelry is a delicate and time-consuming process, but the results are totally worth it! There's nothing quite like seeing your favorite pieces of jewelry gleaming in all their rose-gold glory. So whether you're looking to spruce up an engagement ring or just give your everyday studs some extra sparkle, here's how to get your rose-gold jewelry looking like new.
Q: WHY SHOULD I USE A DRY CLEANING CLOTH ON ROSE GOLD?
A: A dry polishing cloth is the best way to clean rose gold (a precious metal) because it is soft, gentle, and non-abrasive, preventing any scratches or damage from occurring on your rose gold jewelry. The fabric fibers trap dirt and everyday oils from the surface of your jewelry, helping keep your pieces looking sparkly and polished for longer. Plus, a polishing cloth is super easy to use and makes the perfect addition to your monthly cleaning routine!
HOW TO USE A JEWELRY POLISHING CLOTH ON ROSE GOLD:
HOW TO CLEAN ROSE GOLD JEWELRY WITH SOAP+WATER:
HOW TO CLEAN ROSE GOLD JEWELRY WITH VINEGAR:
Vinegar is a simple cleaning solution for cleaning rose gold and other jewelry. While vinegar is safe for rose gold metal and diamonds, it is not suitable for porous stones such as pearls, opals, sapphires, and rubies. It’s also important to use only white distilled vinegar to clean your rose gold jewelry.
To clean rose gold jewelry with vinegar, you’ll want to:
- Reach for a small bowl with a lid.
- Pour enough of the vinegar solution into a container to fully submerge your rose gold.
- Add one teaspoon of salt at a time, stirring it in until it dissolves. When the salt is no longer dissolving, you have added enough.
- Once your mixture is ready, drop your rose gold into the container for just a few seconds. The vinegar-salt mixture is powerful enough to remove dirt, grime, and tarnish in a mere matter of seconds, but it is also powerful enough to corrode the copper and rose gold if left in longer than a minute.
- After the seconds have passed, immediately rinse your rose gold in warm water or swish it in a bowl of fresh warm water to rid it of any remaining vinegar.
- Dry it with a gentle cloth. Never use rough materials on your rose gold (such as a paper towel, napkin, tissue, etc.), as these can cause slight scratches on the surface.
OPTING FOR A PROFESSIONAL CLEAN:
The safest and most effective method to clean a rose gold engagement ring or other sentimental jewelry is to have it professionally cleaned. Professional jewelers have high-tech equipment, typically using steam, that can provide your engagement ring with a powerful deep clean that is also safe for metal and precious stones. While the cleaning methods described above are great and effective for at-home cleans, a professional clean is well worth a trip to the jewelry store once a year.
HOW TO MAINTAIN ROSE GOLD:
Maintaining rose gold jewelry is similar to maintaining yellow gold or white gold jewelry. It's important to clean gold jewelry regularly, polishing it from time to time, removing it for vigorous activities, and placing it in a safe place (away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight) when you're not wearing it.
RELATED Q+A:
Q: SHOULD YOUR USE AN ULTRASONIC CLEAN?
A: Ultrasonic cleaners aren’t suitable for use on rose gold jewelry. The chemical reaction in an ultrasonic cleaner can react with the copper in rose gold and cause the finish to change, while the rapid movement around the cleaner’s chamber can scratch precious metals. While it is safe to thoroughly clean metals such as sterling silver, you should not use it to clean rose gold jewelry.