How To Clean Gold Jewelry

Why Regular Cleaning is Important

Gold may not tarnish like silver, but it certainly collects dirt, oils, and residue from daily wear. Your beautiful gold jewelry comes into contact with lotions, soaps, cosmetics, and natural body oils that can diminish its brilliance over time. Regular cleaning is not just about aesthetics—it’s about preservation.

When gold jewelry isn’t cleaned regularly, buildup can settle into crevices and settings, potentially causing long-term damage. For pieces with gemstones, accumulated dirt can loosen settings or scratch delicate stones. Even solid gold pieces benefit from regular maintenance to preserve their value and appearance.

Most experts recommend cleaning your gold jewelry every few weeks if worn daily, or at least monthly for occasional pieces. This routine care extends the life of your jewelry and ensures it maintains that captivating gleam that made you fall in love with it initially.

Beyond appearance, clean jewelry is also more hygienic. Rings especially can harbor bacteria in their settings when worn daily. A clean piece of jewelry feels better against your skin and reduces the likelihood of irritation or allergic reactions that can sometimes occur from built-up residues.

At Springer’s Jewelers, we’ve seen firsthand how regular maintenance can keep family heirlooms looking spectacular through generations. The difference between well-maintained gold pieces and neglected ones becomes increasingly apparent over the years.

Essential Supplies for Cleaning Gold Jewelry

Before diving into the cleaning process, gathering the right supplies is crucial. The good news is that most items needed for basic gold jewelry cleaning are likely already in your home:

• Mild dish soap: Look for a gentle, phosphate-free formula without abrasives or harsh chemicals.
• Warm water: Not hot, as extreme temperatures can potentially damage certain gemstones or settings.
• Small bowl: Glass or plastic will work fine for your cleaning solution.
• Soft-bristled brush: A clean children’s toothbrush or specialized jewelry brush works perfectly.
• Microfiber cloth: For gentle drying and final polishing without scratching.
• Wooden toothpick or soft dental floss: For reaching tight crevices or intricate settings.
• Jewelry cleaning solution: Optional commercial gold cleaner specifically formulated for gold.

Items to avoid include abrasive materials like paper towels, which can scratch your gold, and harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach, which can damage gold’s finish. Also steer clear of ultrasonic cleaners for delicate pieces or those with certain gemstones like emeralds, opals, or pearls.

For diamond jewelry set in gold, a solution of ammonia and water (one part ammonia to six parts water) can provide additional cleaning power, but this should not be used on other gemstones.

Having these supplies ready before you begin ensures a smooth cleaning process and helps prevent potential damage from improvised tools or solutions. Quality cleaning supplies are an investment in maintaining your precious gold pieces for years to come.

Step-by-Step Home Cleaning Methods

Cleaning your gold jewelry at home is simple when you follow these steps carefully:

1. Prepare your solution: Mix a few drops of mild dish soap in warm (not hot) water in a small bowl. The solution should be sudsy but not overly concentrated.
2. Soak your jewelry: Place your gold pieces in the solution and let them soak for 15-30 minutes. This helps loosen dirt and oils that have accumulated.
3. Gentle scrubbing: Using a soft-bristled brush, gently clean all surfaces of your jewelry, paying special attention to crevices, settings, and the underside of pieces where buildup commonly occurs.
4. Rinse thoroughly: Under lukewarm running water, carefully rinse your gold jewelry to remove all soap residue. Consider placing a strainer in the sink to prevent accidentally losing your pieces down the drain.
5. Dry properly: Pat your jewelry dry with a lint-free microfiber cloth. Avoid air-drying as water spots can form.
6. Final polish: Once completely dry, use a clean section of your microfiber cloth to gently polish the gold surfaces to restore their shine.

For pieces with intricate designs or tight settings, you can use a wooden toothpick (never metal) to carefully remove stubborn dirt. Dental floss can also be gently worked between tight spaces in bracelets and necklaces.

Another effective method for simple gold pieces without gemstones is to use a baking soda paste. Mix three parts baking soda with one part water to create a gentle paste. Apply with your soft brush, clean in circular motions, then rinse thoroughly and dry.

For those who prefer commercial solutions, gold jewelry cleaners are widely available. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely and check that the product is appropriate for your specific piece, especially if it contains gemstones.

Special Considerations for Gold with Gemstones

Gold jewelry featuring gemstones requires additional care during cleaning. Different stones have varying levels of hardness and sensitivity to chemicals and heat:

Diamonds: As the hardest natural substance, diamonds can withstand most cleaning methods. However, certain diamond treatments may require special care. For your diamond jewelry, a solution of mild dish soap is generally safe, and for extra shine, you can use the ammonia solution mentioned earlier.

Sapphires and Rubies: These durable gemstones can also handle standard cleaning methods, but avoid ultrasonic cleaners if the stones have been treated or have significant inclusions.

Emeralds: These are more delicate and often treated with oils to enhance their appearance. Avoid ammonia, which can strip these treatments. Stick to mild soap solutions and minimal soaking time.

Pearls in gold settings: Pearls are exceptionally delicate and can be damaged by most cleaning solutions. They should be wiped gently with a slightly damp soft cloth and kept away from all chemicals, including perfumes and hairsprays.

Opals, turquoise, and coral: These porous gemstones should never soak in any solution. Clean the gold parts carefully with a damp cloth, avoiding the stones themselves as much as possible.

When cleaning mixed gemstone pieces, always default to the cleaning method appropriate for the most delicate stone present. If you’re uncertain about a particular gemstone’s care requirements, consult with us at Springer’s Jewelers for personalized advice.

Remember that the settings holding gemstones can loosen over time. During cleaning, it’s a perfect opportunity to check for any loose stones. If you notice any movement or clicking sounds when handling your jewelry, bring it in for professional inspection before continuing with cleaning.

When to Seek Professional Cleaning Services

While regular at-home cleaning is excellent for maintenance, professional jewelry cleaning services offer benefits that cannot be replicated at home. At Springer’s Jewelers in Portland, ME, our expert jewelers have access to specialized equipment and solutions that provide a deeper clean while ensuring the safety of your precious pieces.

Consider professional cleaning in these situations:

• Annual maintenance: Even with regular home cleaning, having your gold jewelry professionally cleaned once a year helps maintain its condition and allows experts to spot potential issues before they become serious.
• Before special occasions: When you want your jewelry looking its absolute best for weddings, anniversaries, or important events, professional cleaning provides unmatched results.
• For antique or valuable pieces: Heirloom jewelry or high-value items benefit from the careful handling and expertise of professional jewelers.
• When home cleaning isn’t enough: If you notice persistent dullness or tarnishing that doesn’t respond to home cleaning methods.
• For pieces with multiple or delicate gemstones: Professional jewelers understand the specific requirements of each gemstone type.

Professional cleaning typically involves ultrasonic cleaning (where appropriate), steam cleaning, and expert polishing that restores your jewelry to like-new condition. The process also includes inspection of settings, clasps, and prongs to identify any potential issues requiring repair.

Many jewelry stores, including Springer’s Jewelers, offer complimentary cleaning services for pieces purchased from them. This represents an excellent opportunity to maintain your investment while building a relationship with knowledgeable jewelry professionals who understand the history and value of your pieces.

Preventative Care Tips

Maintaining your gold jewelry between cleanings is just as important as the cleaning process itself. These preventative measures can significantly reduce the frequency of deep cleanings needed:

Proper Storage: Store each piece separately in a fabric-lined jewelry box or individual pouches to prevent scratching. Keep necklaces hung or laid flat to prevent tangling.

Timing Your Wear: Apply cosmetics, lotions, perfumes, and hairsprays before putting on your jewelry. These products contain chemicals that can damage gold over time and accelerate tarnishing.

Activity Awareness: Remove gold jewelry before swimming in chlorinated pools, using hot tubs, cleaning with harsh chemicals, gardening, or engaging in rough physical activities. Chlorine is particularly damaging to gold alloys.

Routine Checks: Periodically examine your pieces for loose stones, worn prongs, or weakened clasps. Catching these issues early prevents loss and keeps repair costs lower.

Gentle Handling: Always handle your gold jewelry by the band or edges rather than by any gemstones present. This reduces oils transferred to gems and prevents unnecessary pressure on settings.

Regular Wiping: After wearing, gently wipe gold pieces with a soft jewelry cloth to remove body oils and residue before storing. This simple habit significantly extends the time between deeper cleanings.

Professional Inspections: Have your valuable gold pieces checked by a professional jeweler annually. At Springer’s Jewelers, we recommend combining this with your professional cleaning appointment for convenience.

By incorporating these preventative practices into your routine, you’ll not only maintain the beauty of your gold jewelry but also preserve its value for years—even generations—to come. Your gold jewelry is an investment worth protecting through proper preventative care.