Cleaning Jewellery At Home: Gold

By Harrison Brown
21 May 2024

model shot of multiple pieces of gold jewellery

From wedding bands to precious heirlooms, gold jewellery is as precious as the wearer and deserves to never lose its shine. With our top tips for cleaning gold jewellery, your favourite pieces, whether true gold or enhanced, can remain sparkling.

Let’s get into it!

Gold vs Gold Plated

Tarnishing is a natural part of the cycle when it comes to metal, but there are ways to prevent such a horrific event from taking place. But the metal your jewellery is made from does make a big difference in the way you care for it.

Gold jewellery is often crafted from pure gold. Mined from the Earth’s crust, gold is an unusual metal that is rust resistant, and utterly gorgeous. It is a soft metal in its purest form and requires true, dedicated care in order to shine beyond its years.

Gold plated jewellery is just as beautiful and sparkling. However, gold plated jewellery is typically copper underneath, which then has a thin layer of gold applied. This makes jewellery much more affordable to buy and make but a little trickier to clean.

No matter if your jewellery is true gold or gold-plated, you deserve pieces that make you feel like royalty. And our tips and tricks can do just that.

chisholm hunter yellow gold plated brushed station necklace

Cleaning Gold Jewellery At Home

Whether you are on the go or want to get into all the nooks and crannies, we have a few simple cleaning methods to ensure your gold jewellery never loses its shine.

A Quick Polish

If your gold ring or gold earrings are new or rarely worn, you may only have to give them a quick polish. This can be done with a super soft microfiber cloth, or the Connoisseurs Gold Polishing Cloth. Designed specifically for gold jewellery, this polishing cloth removes any dirt, oil, or moisture allowing your gold pieces to do what they do best; shine.

In the absence of specialised cleaning tools, you can still maintain the lustre of your jewellery using common household items. Whether it’s gold lockets, bangles, or any other piece in your collection, these handy hints will ensure your treasures continue to shine.

What You'll Need

Bowls of lukewarm water x2
Mild Detergent
A soft bristled brush
A soft lint-free cloth

The Method

1. Create A Bath
Add a few drops of your mild detergent—we recommend baby shampoo, to your bowls of lukewarm water. Mix to until a few bubbles appear.

2. Let It Soak
Place your jewellery into the bowls and allow them to soak. This will loosen any dirt clinging to the settings. Allow your pieces to soak for a few minutes.

3. Gently Clean

Using a soft bristled brush, such as a child's toothbrush, give each piece a gentle scrub. Using a brush with soft bristles guarantees that the surface of your jewellery remains unscathed.

4. Rinse
Once each piece is cleaned free of any remaining dirt, rinse each one under a running tap of lukewarm water. Make sure to remove all the soap from the cleaning solution.

5. Pat Dry

Once cleaned, gently begin patting them dry with a lint-free cloth. Leave to dry completely and enjoy your sparkling jewellery!

chisholm hunter yellow gold plated green cubic zirconia twisted hoop earring

Cleaning Gold-Plated Jewellery

As we mentioned earlier, gold plated jewellery requires a little more care to bring back that dazzling shine. But it’s not impossible and it doesn't have to take up too much of your time.

The important to remember is that gold plated jewellery has an extremely thin layer of gold coating. We highly recommend avoiding chemicals and hard rubbing to prevent eroding the coating.

To keep your gold-plated pieces looking their best, simple wipe with a lint-free cloth regularly. Avoid moisture such as creams, oils, and sanitizers to ensure that plating never fades.

Storing Gold Jewellery

While cleaning your jewellery regularly is a great way to keep them looking their best, it’s important that they are stored correctly when you aren't wearing them.

Pouches made of soft cloth, separate boxes for each piece of jewellery, and jewellery box sections lined with velvet are highly effective. They safeguard your gold against dust, exposure to air, and dampness. For enhanced protection, ensure these containers are stored in an area that is both cool and dry.

Removing your jewellery and storing them in a jewellery box or pouch keeps them from tarnishing and ensures that brilliant sparkle we all love.

How To Prevent Tarnishing

While tarnishing is natural and no fault of the jeweller, there are a few steps you can take to prevent it for as long as possible:

1. Remove your jewellery before showering, bathing, or swimming
2. Avoid perfumes, creams, and hand sanitiser from touching the jewellery.
3. Store each item properly in a box or pouch to avoid dampness and moisture.

Professional Cleaning

It’s advisable to treat your cherished jewellery to a professional cleaning at a licensed jeweller annually. With more than 27 locations throughout the UK, you’re welcome to visit any of our boutiques. There, our skilled jewellers will meticulously clean your pieces, restoring their pristine, just-purchased shine.