How to Care for Gold

Co-authored by Mark Sandler

Last Updated: September 2, 2021

Left to its own devices, gold jewelry won't tarnish or corrode. However, with regular wear, your gold jewelry will eventually accumulate a film of soap, body oils, and even grease. Taking proper care of your fine gold jewelry means maintaining your jewelry when you’re not wearing it and regularly cleaning it to remove regular build up and occasional tarnish. Taking care of your gold jewelry can ensure that it continues to be a point of pride throughout your lifetime.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Maintaining Your Gold Jewelry

1
Remove your gold jewelry before showering, bathing, or cleaning. The exposure to soap and chemicals can dull the gold, necessitating more frequent cleanings. It can also scratch or break down the gold, which is a soft metal and easily damaged.
2
Don’t wear your gold jewelry in the pool. Chlorine, like other chemicals, can permanently discolor gold. You should take your jewelry off before going into a hot tub or swimming pool.^{[1]
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Research source}

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3
Store your gold jewelry separately. It’s important to make sure your pieces of gold jewelry don’t touch any other jewelry when they’re being stored. Because gold is a soft metal, it can easily scratch or bend out of shape if it comes into contact with other pieces of jewelry.
- If you don’t have enough space to store each piece separately, try wrapping each piece in a soft cloth.
- Hang up gold chains if possible. This prevents them from getting tangled; trying to untangle gold chains can easily break them.^{[2]
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  Research source}
4
Buff your gold jewelry occasionally. Even if your jewelry doesn’t need to be cleaned, buffing it occasionally is a good way to maintain it. Use a soft chamois cloth and gently rub the surface of the piece. It can help restore the shine of the jewelry right away, without further cleaning.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Cleaning Your Gold

1
Mix mild dish detergent with warm water. Dish detergent is the best option for cleaning your gold jewelry because it’s less abrasive than other cleaners. Squirt a few drops of liquid dish detergent into a small bowl full of warm water and swirl the water to mix it.
2
Soak your jewelry. You can leave your jewelry in the soap mixture for up to three hours. You can’t over-clean gold with this mixture, so don’t worry about leaving it in too long. If your jewelry isn’t that dirty, you can leave it in for ten to fifteen minutes.^{[3]
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- If your jewelry has stones, don’t soak it. Instead, mix the cleaning mixture and then dip a soft cloth into it. Then use the cloth to carefully wipe down your jewelry.
3
Rub your jewelry one piece at a time. This helps you avoid scratching any of your other jewelry while you’re cleaning it. Dip the piece of jewelry in the soapy water, and then gently rub it with your fingers (you can also use a cotton swab).
- If you have a very heavily ornamented piece with many cracks and crevices, or if your jewelry is very tarnished, you can use a soft-bristled child's toothbrush. Be very gentle when using such a brush.
4
Rinse your gold jewelry in warm water. Make sure that all traces of suds are gone, especially if you’re cleaning a heavily ornamented piece. The water should run clear when you’re finished.
5
Dry your jewelry with a soft cloth. You don’t want to put your jewelry away wet. Use a soft cloth to gently rub the jewelry until it’s dry. You can also leave the jewelry out to air dry, usually overnight.
6
Clean your jewelry every few months. Every three months or so, give all of your gold jewelry a good, deep clean. Let your jewelry soak in the cleaning solution for three hours before you clean each piece.
- Don't perform this type of clean on your jewelry more than a few times a year. Over cleaning gold jewelry can cause the metal to break down, which can ruin your jewelry.
- Take your gold jewelry into a jeweler to have it professionally cleaned and polished once per year. Many jewelers offer this service for free.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Mark Sandler
  Graduate Gemologist, Jeweler, & Appraiser
  Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}

Warnings

You should never use toothpaste or baking soda to clean your gold.

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If your gold jewelry has precious stones or crystals in it, do not clean it with soap.

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Some jewelry stores recommend using ammonia to clean your gold jewelry, while others recommend against it.

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