Tips On Taking Care Of Your Gold

Of all the elements, gold has always had its emphasized value, both material and emotional. This precious metal is mentioned throughout history all over the planet. It has been a vital element of the economy of many world countries. Even today, gold has a significant impact on global financial flows. Why people appreciate this metal so much, find out here.

Most of the jewelry today is made of gold. Even those who don’t like to wear it keep some precious pieces. Yet, many more people love this metal in all shapes and colors and put these accessories on at every occasion.

The good thing about gold is that it’s corrosion-resistant. Still, since it’s quite soft (even in alloys), it’s not immune to cuts and physical damage. During everyday use, the jewelry gets noticeable scratches, and it loses its shine. When it gets into direct contact with the skin, it becomes darker because it collects dead cells and fat from the skin. That applies to the items of 14 and less carat purity. Taking care of your gold can be done with a little extra effort, but it doesn’t cost much.

Regular Cleaning

One of the ways to care for your gold is by using a good quality polish. As it doesn’t rust, water is a basis for cleaning jewelry. Soap and water are good enough to clean and condition these accessories. There are even kits available that include cleaning supplies to get you started. You can purchase these supplies from specialized stores in your locality or order them online.

In case you own personalized items made of precious metals, you should avoid aggressive chemicals. These pieces are already scratched (due to engraving), so they are more susceptible to damage. Instead, use mild cleansing agents to protect your investment. If you put them on and off all the time, always have a small microfiber cloth to wipe these pieces after wearing.

The color of your jewelry doesn’t matter, as it needs to be cleaned regularly. For pink or white gold, that needs to be done even more often because the oxidation causes discoloration on these items. Soap and water alone will not be able to take away the discoloration. You will need a proper cleaning solution.

Use Suitable Cleaning Agents

You need to pay a lot of attention when using chemicals to clean golden items. Some agents are too aggressive and will damage your precious pieces even more. Also, if you do not handle these solutions correctly, you may injure yourself. Things like ammonia or nitric acid can create deep burns if not used properly.

Ammonia-based cleaning solutions are an excellent thing for cleaning your gold-plated jewelry. But don’t forget to keep them away from your eyes and ears as the fumes can be very irritating. Also, you should wear gloves when handling jewelry maintenance.

On the following source, find the explanation on how to use ammonia for gold cleaning:
https://www.thespruce.com/ammonia-for-jewelry-cleaning-2042881

Proper Storage

Another method on how to take care of your jewelry is by storing it properly. Placing these items in a velvet pouch or box will keep them safe and prevent dust and dirt from reaching them. These can also be put in plastic bags and placed in a soft, dry place. If you store your gold regularly, then you can avoid oxidation, scuff marks, and tarnish on your investment.

One of the best ways to keep your precious accessories from getting scratched, dented, or tarnished is to wrap them in plastic. There are plastic wraps that can protect these pieces from dust, chemicals, UV rays, and even air compression.

One thing to keep in mind when storing gold items is that you shouldn’t mix them with the other pieces made of brass or copper. Copper can cause a buildup of oxidized deposits that will give your jewelry a patina hard to remove.

Some people even have small drawers or cabinets for keeping valuable items. They have particular compartments for storing different kinds of jewelry. If you think of this type of storage, keep in mind that drawers don’t have scratches, dents, or breaks. It is best if they are upholstered with some soft material. When packing valuables in compartments like this, make sure that the pieces touch each other as little as possible.

Protect Jewelry from Chemicals

As gold has a high to matt finish, the plating in your jewelry wears off at a later stage. Exposure to aggressive elements can speed up the deterioration process. That makes your jewelry lifeless and brittle. So if you plan to clean your golden pieces with any chemical cleaner, make sure it’s suitable for these items.

The crucial tip for keeping your valuable pieces intact is to avoid chemicals. It’s not only about agents used for gold cleaning, but also those in cosmetics, house cleaning, and disinfecting products.

Seawater (chlorine), lotions, and sunscreens (containing alcoholic elements), as well as many house cleaners, adversely affect metal jewelry. So it is advisable to take off all the gold pieces before using the listed products, going out in the sun, or planning to clean the house. These things can cause severe damage to your gold-plated jewelry so avoid chemicals as much as possible.

Yearly Polishing

When thinking of how to take care of your gold, another critical issue is to clean it before wearing it, especially if you didn’t do that for a while. Deep polishing helps jewelry keep its luster and glow for a long time. If you visit the best jewelry repair in Orange County, experts will explain all the benefits of a thorough cleaning.

Regular cleaning with detergent and water may do the trick, but it won’t help if dirt is deposited on the coating. That’s when deep cleaning is crucial. Jewelers will do that for you, as they have specialized tools and agents for polishing all types of gold.

Wearing jewelry has different meanings. For some, it’s a matter of prestige; for others, it has a higher and more important symbolism. In any case, everyone wants these precious and expensive accessories to last as long as possible. Regular gold jewelry maintenance can help you avoid costly repairs or replacements.