Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Kennon Young and by How.com.vn staff writer, Hunter Rising. Kennon Young is a Master Gemologist Appraiser and the Owner of Vermont Gemological Laboratory in Burlington, Vermont. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kennon and his team specialize in handmade engagement rings, wedding bands, and custom jewelry. He attended the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, the Gemological Institute of America, and the Rhode Island School of Design Extension. He is a Jewelers of America (JA) Certified Bench Jeweler Technician and received the highest credential in the jewelry appraisal industry, the ASA Master Gemologist Appraiser, in 2016.
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If you notice your gold jewelry pieces are starting to look dull or dingy, then it’s time to give them a thorough cleaning. A mixture of dish soap and warm water is the perfect homemade gold jewelry cleaner, and it only takes a few minutes to restore the look of your pieces. Cleaning your gold and taking good care of it ensures that your jewelry lasts for a long time, and we’ll walk you through the entire process. Keep reading for how to take care of your jewelry, how often to clean it, what to avoid, and how to keep it from getting dirty or damaged.
Things You Should Know
- Soak your gold jewelry in a bowl of warm water and dish soap for 15 minutes to loosen dirt and grime.
- Scrub your jewelry gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush to break apart stuck-on debris. Be sure to work the bristles into tight spaces and under any gemstones.
- Rinse your jewelry off with warm water and pat it dry with a soft towel or an old T-shirt. Clean your gold jewelry once a month to maintain its look.
Steps
Cleaning Gold with Dish Soap
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Fill a bowl with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Use a small bowl instead of cleaning your gold jewelry in the sink so you don’t risk losing it down the drain. Use lukewarm tap water instead of hot or boiling water so you don’t damage the metal or any gemstones. Then, add in a few drops of dish soap and gently stir the solution together.[1]- What if your jewelry has gemstones? Jewelry with inlaid gemstones can also be cleaned with a warm water and dish soap solution. Submerge it in the water for a couple of minutes, and then give it a careful cleaning using a soft toothbrush. Using warm water, rinse off the jewelry item and blot it dry with a lint-free rag.[2]
- Dish soap works great for cleaning gold-filled jewelry as well as solid gold.
- Alternatively, try using a commercial gold cleaner for your jewelry. Many times, you’ll mix the cleaner with water, but instructions may vary so follow the package’s instructions. However, commercial cleaners are often made with ammonia, which can harm gold jewelry inlaid with amber or pearl.[3]
Soak your jewelry for 15–20 minutes in the soapy water. Leave your jewelry in the solution to break apart dirt and grime that accumulated on the surface. Soaking your jewelry also helps remove debris and residue that’s stuck inside crevices or underneath gemstones.[4]Advertisement
Break apart stubborn dirt and grime with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Dip the bristles of the toothbrush into the soapy water, and gently scrub the surface of your jewelry. Be sure to focus on any areas that have tight nooks and crannies where dirt, oils, and debris may get caught.[5]- If you’re cleaning gold rings or earrings with gemstones, scrub the underside of the stones to help restore their shine and sparkle.
- If your gold jewelry still has black spots, it may be tarnished. Gold slowly forms tarnish after about 50–60 years, and removing the darkened spots may actually decrease its value.
Rinse your jewelry with warm water. After you remove all of the dirt and grime from the gold’s surface, dip it into a bowl filled with hot water to rinse off any residual soap or dirt. Swish the jewelry around in the water and gently shake off the excess when you’re finished.[6]- Avoid rinsing your jewelry under running water from your faucet because you could easily lose your grip and drop an expensive piece down the drain. If you need to use your sink, then plug the drain or put your jewelry in a fine-mesh strainer to keep it from getting lost.
Dry your gold jewelry with a soft cloth. Gently pat your piece of jewelry dry using a soft microfiber cloth or an old T-shirt so you don’t leave any scratches in the gold. Once your jewelry is dry, it’s ready to wear or be put away in a safe place.[7]- Avoid using paper towels because they’re slightly abrasive and can damage the soft metal.
Expert Q&A
- QuestionCan you polish gold jewelry yourself?
Kennon YoungKennon Young is a Master Gemologist Appraiser and the Owner of Vermont Gemological Laboratory in Burlington, Vermont. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kennon and his team specialize in handmade engagement rings, wedding bands, and custom jewelry. He attended the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, the Gemological Institute of America, and the Rhode Island School of Design Extension. He is a Jewelers of America (JA) Certified Bench Jeweler Technician and received the highest credential in the jewelry appraisal industry, the ASA Master Gemologist Appraiser, in 2016.
Master Gemologist AppraiserYes, but if you're visually seeing scratches, you're going to need professional buffs. Consider taking the jewelry to a professional. Even the deepest scratches can be removed with laser welders these days, but it's not something that you can always do at home. - QuestionHow do you clean tarnished gold?Kennon YoungKennon Young is a Master Gemologist Appraiser and the Owner of Vermont Gemological Laboratory in Burlington, Vermont. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kennon and his team specialize in handmade engagement rings, wedding bands, and custom jewelry. He attended the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, the Gemological Institute of America, and the Rhode Island School of Design Extension. He is a Jewelers of America (JA) Certified Bench Jeweler Technician and received the highest credential in the jewelry appraisal industry, the ASA Master Gemologist Appraiser, in 2016.
Master Gemologist AppraiserGold will only tarnish after 50-60 years. If you have gold that's old enough to be tarnished, removing the tarnish will most likely devalue the gold as the tarnish is showing its antiquity. In that case, avoid de-tarnishing the gold.
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/how-to-clean-engagement-ring
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-jewelry/
- ↑ https://www.gemsociety.org/article/clean-gemstone-jewelry/
- ↑ https://www.jewelersmutual.com/the-jewelry-box/cleaning-gold-jewelry-4-easy-steps
- ↑ Kennon Young. Certified Jeweler. Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.
- ↑ https://www.jewelersmutual.com/the-jewelry-box/cleaning-gold-jewelry-4-easy-steps
- ↑ Nicole Wegman. Jewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge. Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.
- ↑ https://www.cleaningservicenewyorkcity.com/safely-cleaning-jewelry.html
- ↑ https://www.gemsociety.org/article/money-saving-ways-to-clean-jewelry/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-jewelry/
- ↑ https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-secrets-keep-diamond-sparkling&utm_source=intl_facebook&utm_campaign=diamond-sparkle&utm_medium=social
- ↑ Edward Lewand. Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser. Expert Interview. 6 August 2019.
- ↑ https://www.jewelers.org/buying-jewelry/jewelry-repair-and-care/jewelry-care
- ↑ https://www.tttjewelry.com/how-to-clean-gold-plated-jewelry-so-it-looks-brand-new/
- ↑ Mark Sandler. Graduate Gemologist, Jeweler, & Appraiser. Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.
- ↑ Kennon Young. Certified Jeweler. Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.
- ↑ https://www.jewelers.org/buying-jewelry/jewelry-repair-and-care/jewelry-care
- ↑ https://media.tiffany.com/is/content/Tiffany/Gemstone-Pearl-Booklet-2019-US-GA.pdf
- ↑ https://media.tiffany.com/is/content/Tiffany/Gemstone-Pearl-Booklet-2019-US-GA.pdf
About This Article
To clean your gold jewelry, start by mixing a few drops of liquid dish soap into a bowl of lukewarm water. Then, put your gold jewelry in the water and let it sit for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, take out your jewelry and gently scrub it with a clean soft-bristled toothbrush. Finish by rinsing your jewelry with warm water and then blotting it dry with a clean cloth. To learn how to clean your gold jewelry with toothpaste, boiling water, or ammonia, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
"Ring is 10k gold with diamonds. 1 large center stone surrounded by 24 small ones. I used several steps;1) boiling water, 2) seltzer, 3) toothpaste, & 4) soap & water. In that order. It turned out beautifully! I was pleased."..." more
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