Gold jewelry is all the rave this fall with so many different and fun ways to style it! It’s important to know the best ways to care for these valuable pieces. In order to get the most wear out of these pieces, we are sharing valuable tips for caring for your gold jewelry.
Caring for All Things Gold
In order to go about caring for our gold jewelry, we need to know a bit more about the characteristics of gold.
Gold is one of the softest metals that exists. In its purest form it is too soft to be worn as jewelry, so because of this most gold is mixed with a variety of other metals, such as, silver, copper, zinc, and nickel.
There are three main “colors” of gold that are seen most often: yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold.
- Yellow gold is the most typical of the three. It is a combination of gold, copper, and zinc.
- White gold is a more affordable option if you are looking for something a little more cost-efficient. It is made up of gold with nickel or palladium, zinc, and copper.
- Rose gold is the newest trend in the world of gold jewelry. Many women love the shade of pink that it has from its mixture of gold and copper. Out of the three, rose gold is the most durable.
Continue reading for some practical tips on how to keep your gold shiny, safe, and secure!
Wearing Your Gold
- Be sure to remove your gold jewelry before participating in any type of physical activity or contact sport to ensure that it does not get scratched or dinged.
- Chlorine can be very detrimental to your gold, so consider removing it before getting into a pool or a hot tub.
- Many of the typical household cleaning products contain chemicals that can cause your gold to break down. It is important to keep them put away in a space that won’t be at risk of coming into contact with any harmful chemicals during cleaning.
Cleaning Your Gold
- Cleaning your gold at home should be done periodically as you see build up begin to form. It is a key step in caring for your gold jewelry. Soak the jewelry for up to 3 hours. Upon removal use a soft brush to clean more in-depth and then wipe the piece dry with a soft cloth. Avoid using paper towels when or napkins as they can cause scratches.
- A great DIY jewelry cleaner can be found here.
- Rubbing alcohol is another good cleaning agent, but never use bleach.
- Schedule a professional cleaning, including steaming and buffing, every 6 months with a jeweler.
Storing Your Gold
- Store each of your pieces separately so they do not scratch or tangle.
- Store pieces either wrapped in a soft cloth, or in the compartments of a velvet lined jewelry box.
- Your gold jewelry should be the last to go on in the morning and the first to come off at night as makeup, hairspray, lotions, and soaps can cause further build up.
Stick by these guidelines on caring for your gold jewelry and you will be sure to keep your items shining and safe for years to come. Stop by Isbell Jewelers soon to browse our gold pieces to add some more to your collection!