Posted by All that glitters may not be gold, but all that is gold should definitely glitter!
It is no doubt that women love wearing anything that shines just as bright as themselves. Diamond and gold jewellery is one of their favourites. When it comes to dressing up for their special day, they pick out the most dazzling pieces of gold jewellery to adorn their necks. While they shine bright like a diamond on their wedding day, a fear always looms over – the fear of their bridal jewellery losing its lustre overtime.
It is never a good feeling when your gold jewellery starts to lose its original sparkle, and while there is always the option of taking it to an expert for polish and cleaning, it is just an added task. However, there are simple techniques to maintain the lustre and cleanliness of your gold earrings. And you can carry it out independently at home. So don’t give up. Just because your favourite gold jewellery sets, and bracelets are not as sparkly as they once were does not mean you have to lock them away. Here is all the information you need to know about cleaning gold jewellery.
Why does Gold Jewellery Lose its Shine?
Before we get to the ‘how to clean your gold jewellery part’, it is important that we understand what is making your ornaments lose their lustre. There are several reasons your gold jewellery may be losing its lustre, one of them being everyday use. The more you wear them, the quicker they lose their sparkle. Dirt, cosmetics, and everyday chemicals also dull the natural shine of your jewellery sets. Even your perfumes and body creams can cause damage to your jewellery.
The chemical makeup of the gold used to make your jewellery also contributes to a few other factors. As you are aware, 24k gold, the purest type of gold, is quite soft. It is combined with other metals, including nickel, palladium, silver, zinc, and manganese, to make it strong enough to be used in the making of ornaments. There are several purities of gold, such as 22k, 18k, and 14k, depending on the proportion of gold to other metals. Due to the inert nature of gold, it does not corrode on its own. But when exposed to oxygen and moisture in the air, the other metals combined with it react. These reactions can discolour or darken your gold jewellery. The gold’s discolouration varies depending on the metal used to create it.
Cleaning your Gold Jewellery at Home
While getting your gold jewellery professionally cleaned is advisable, a trip to your local jeweller every time your earrings or rings sound tiresome and expensive. Lucky for us, there are several effective ways for you to do it yourself at home with soap and water. And yes, we know it does not sound right but do not dismiss the idea until you have tried it. All you need is a simple solution of soap and water to clean your necklaces, bracelets, bangles, etc. Cleaning your gold jewellery with soap and water will help eliminate accumulated dirt and oils and help restore its shine. Here is how to do it right –
- Take a bowl of warm water, add mild soap, and mix to form a solution. You can also use mild detergents or dishwashing liquids.
- Dip your gold jewellery in the solution and let it soak.
- After 15-20 minutes, rinse it with cold water, and lay it flat on a soft, dry cloth, leaving it to air dry.
- Use a soft-bristled brush to clean out the dirt in the nooks and crannies of the design. Try not to rub too hard.
- Once done, store it properly in a jewellery box.
This cleaning tip works for gold, white and rose gold jewellery, but not a gemstone or diamond jewellery.
Cleaning your Gemstone Encrusted Gold Jewellery
Owning and wearing gold jewellery with gemstone accents is a sheer joy. Any gemstone enhances the attractiveness of gold, whether valuable variations like diamonds and rubies or semi-precious types like topazes and tourmalines. Even though you can use detergent and water, never soak jewellery with gemstone infusions in water. It can become water-logged from soaking, which will eventually cause it to rust or turn colour. Instead, rinse and clean it using a soft toothbrush, a baby toothbrush. Make sure your ornament does not contain any loose stones before washing it. Allow it to completely dry after washing before storing. If your jewellery includes delicate stones like opals, you should ensure the water is not hot.
Cleaning your gold jewellery from time to time will ensure its longevity and enable it to retain its natural shine. However, if you are doubtful, it is always best to bring it to Tanishq and avail our professional cleaning services.