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Gold jewellery has been a favourite around the world for thousands of years, and for good reason. Not only is gold lustrous and beautiful, but it’s also malleable enough to be made into intricate and interesting designs.
Today, gold jewellery is as popular as ever, and because it’s so common, myths abound about the best ways to clean it at home. Some soaps and chemical agents can actually damage gold, so we recommend a cautionary approach to cleaning your gold jewellery.
In this post, we’ll look at some of the dos and don'ts of cleaning gold jewellery. Remember that if you have questions about specific jewellery pieces, you can always ask your jeweller for recommendations and assistance. Before we get to some cleaning techniques, let’s learn a bit about gold’s characteristics and what makes it unique.
Like the other noble metals (ruthenium, osmium, rhodium, palladium, iridium, silver and platinum), gold resists corrosion from moisture as well as oxidation, which is one of the reasons it’s used in jewellery. It’s low-maintenance in that it doesn’t have to be constantly polished to retain its lustre.
In fact, when it’s properly cared for, gold will last indefinitely. Because it’s a soft metal, unlike some of the other noble metals mentioned above, it can also be melted down and reused. In most cases, people aren’t interested in melting down their gold jewellery; they want beautiful pieces that will last. Pure gold, however, is so soft that it’s easily scratched or damaged. This is why jewellers often use gold alloys to create jewellery.
By combining pure gold with another metal (silver, nickel, copper, tin, zinc, iron, cadmium, titanium or manganese), jewellers can offer beautiful gold pieces that are much stronger than pieces made of pure gold.
The addition of these other metals changes the colour of the gold. White gold usually contains nickel plus copper or tin. Manganese and platinum are also sometimes used in the creation of white gold. Yellow gold usually contains copper or silver. You may also see blue gold (iron), rose gold (copper) and green gold (silver, cadmium or zinc). The cleaning instructions below are suitable for gold jewellery containing any of these other metals.
Some pieces of jewellery have a layer of gold laid on top of another metal. These pieces can be cleaned using the same method prescribed below, but they should be handled with even more care. Gold overlays wear off over time, so it’s important to avoid any kind of abrasive cleaner or rough polishing.
With a clearer understanding of the nature of gold jewellery, you’re ready to start your DIY cleaning. The following tips will help you to know what you can safely do at home and what you should avoid.
If you have any questions about your gold jewellery or you need help with cleaning, get in touch with your Q Certified Jeweller. And if your gold jewellery is currently uninsured, get an instant online quote today.
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Gone are the days when engagement rings were a one-size-fits-all affair! To...
Luxury watches are all about style and prestige. But below the surface lies...
You've built a collection of luxury jewellery that reflects your unique sty...
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This has not taken cut, colour, clarity or carat, your financial situation or your partners taste into account. There are many factors that can reduce or increase the value of an engagement ring.
Speak with one of our Q Certified Jewellers to find out what you can afford, what your partner is looking for and what will financially work best for you.
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