HOW TO CLEAN GOLD-PLATED JEWELRY

Gold-plated jewelry is a beautiful and affordable way to enjoy the look of solid gold jewelry without the expensive price tag. Yet, if not properly cared for, gold-plated jewelry may slowly lose its luster.

Cleaning gold-plated jewelry, fortunately, is not difficult; you only need a few common household items that you most likely already have to deep clean your pieces. You can have your jewelry gleaming like new in no time with a little time and effort! Continue reading for some fast cleaning suggestions for gold-plated jewelry.

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

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

• 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.

• 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.

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

If your plated in gold jewelry features expensive or semi-precious stones, you should avoid soaking it in water for an extended period of time. Instead of soaking, clean each piece using a moist cotton ball dipped in the dishwashing liquid + water-cleaning solution. After lightly rubbing each piece, rinse it with plain water and then buff it dry.

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.

It can be confusing when deciding whether to clean gold-plated jewelry or get it 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.

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 tarnished gold-plated jewelry .

• 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 tarnished gold-plated jewelry . 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.

• It is also not advised to clean gold-plated jewelry with a professional steamer because steam can result in corrosion. Ultrasonic cleaners have the potential to harm permeable stones like lapis or turquoise as well as loosen stones from their mountings.
  

You can maintain the luster of your gold-plated jewelry easily now that you know how to clean it properly! Just don't forget to be gentle when cleaning your pieces, and avoid using abrasive items (such as rough paper) or harsh chemicals. Your gold-plated jewelry will look lovely for years to come with a little care.