How to Clean Gold Plated Jewelry to Help It Last

Gold plated jewelry is a beautiful and popular choice for jewelry lovers. Gold plated jewelry adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any outfit. However, with the proper care and maintenance gold plated jewelry can remain in excellent condition for years. 

Cleaning gold plated jewelry is important to keep it looking its best. By following a few simple steps, you can keep your gold plated jewelry shining and looking like new. With the right tools, cleaning gold plated jewelry can be easy and effective.

What is Gold Plated Jewelry?

Gold plated jewelry is a popular choice of jewelry due to its luxurious look and affordability. Gold plating is a process where a thin layer of gold is applied to a base metal, such as silver or copper. 

This process is done through electroplating, which involves immersing the base metal in a solution of gold and other metals and running an electrical current through it. The result is a gold-plated piece of jewelry that looks like solid gold, but is actually much more affordable. 

Gold plated jewelry can be a great way to add a touch of luxury to any outfit. It is also a great choice for those who want to invest in jewelry but are on a tight budget. Gold plated jewelry is available in a variety of styles and designs, so there are plenty of options to choose from.

 

golden jewelry

 

Why Does Gold Plated Jewelry Tarnish?

Gold plated jewelry is popular for its beautiful, shiny appearance, but unfortunately, its beauty does not last forever. Gold plated jewelry tarnishes over time due to a combination of environmental factors, such as humidity, air pollution, and body acids. 

The gold plating itself is a very thin layer of gold applied to a base metal such as copper or brass. Over time, the gold plating wears away, revealing the base metal underneath, and this is what causes the tarnishing.

Tarnishing is a natural process, and it can happen quickly or slowly depending on the environment and the quality of the gold plating. To prevent gold plated jewelry from tarnishing, it is important to keep it away from moisture, perspiration, and other sources of humidity. 

It is also important to maintain a clean and dry environment for the jewelry. Avoid storing gold plated jewelry in areas where it may be exposed to air pollution, dust, and other contaminants.

Related: How to Store Jewelry

Cleaning Gold Plated Jewelry Safely

Cleaning gold plated jewelry is a crucial step in keeping it looking its best. Gold plating adds a luxurious shine to any piece of jewelry, but it also requires special care for cleaning and maintenance. If you want to keep your gold plated jewelry looking like new, it's important to clean it safely.

Related: The Ultimate Guide On How To Clean Gold Jewelry

Cleaning Using a Jewelry Polishing Cloth

Cleaning gold plated jewelry using a jewelry polishing cloth is an easy and effective way to keep your jewelry looking its best and to avoid costly repairs. The process is simple and requires only a few materials: a jewelry polishing cloth, a soft cloth, and some warm water.

To begin, lay the jewelry on a soft cloth. Take the jewelry polishing cloth and gently rub it over the jewelry in a circular motion. This will remove any dirt and tarnish from the surface of the gold plated jewelry. Be sure to take care not to rub too hard, as this can cause scratching.

Once you have removed all of the dirt and tarnish, use the soft cloth to dry off the jewelry. You can also use a little warm water, if desired, to help get rid of any remaining dirt or tarnish.

Once you have dried off the jewelry, buff it with the jewelry polishing cloth to restore its shine. Once you are finished, store the jewelry in an airtight container, as moisture can cause the tarnish to reappear.

 

a gold necklace

 

Cleaning Using Soap and Water

Cleaning gold plated jewelry with soap and water is a simple, effective way to keep your golden pieces looking beautiful. To start, fill a bowl with warm water and add a drop of mild liquid detergent or soap. 

Mix the water and soap together to create suds. Place the gold plated jewelry in the bowl and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. 

Once the jewelry has soaked, use a soft cloth to scrub the jewelry to remove dirt and grime gently. Rinse the jewelry with clean water to remove all soap residue. Allow the jewelry to air dry completely before wearing or storing it.

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Cleaning Using Baking Soda and Aluminum Foil

Cleaning your gold plated jewelry is easy, and you can use a few items you have in your kitchen to get the job done. One simple method is to make a cleaning solution of baking soda and aluminum foil.

Start by filling a bowl with very warm water. Then, add one tablespoon of baking soda per cup of water. Stir the solution until the baking soda is dissolved. Place the gold plated jewelry into the solution and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Related Link: Sterling Silver vs. White Gold: Which is Right for You

Next, take a piece of aluminum foil and crumple it up into a ball. Place the aluminum foil ball into the baking soda solution and let it sit for an additional five minutes. The aluminum foil will help to remove any tarnish or dirt from the gold plated jewelry.

When the time is up, remove the jewelry from the solution and rinse it in clean water. Afterward, dry the jewelry with a soft cloth and store it in a dry place with an anti-tarnish cloth.

This simple method of cleaning your gold plated jewelry with baking soda and aluminum foil will help to keep your jewelry looking like new.

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Final Thoughts

It’s important to note that gold plating is delicate and some types of cleaning methods may damage the jewelry. Avoid using abrasive cleaners, scrubbing too hard, or using harsh chemicals, as these can strip the gold plating and ruin the jewelry.