How to care for your gold jewelry

Gold is one of the most precious metals used in jewelry, but it also needs some care to preserve its shine and beauty. In this blog I am going to teach you some simple homemade tricks to clean gold and keep it as new.

What types of gold are there?

Gold is classified according to its purity in karats, which indicate the proportion of pure gold contained in the alloy. Pure gold is 24 carat gold, but it is very soft and easily deformed, so it is usually mixed with other metals such as silver, copper or nickel to give it more resistance and durability.

The most used gold in jewelry is 18 carats, which is 75% pure gold and 25% other metals. There are also other types of gold depending on the color they acquire due to the mixture of metals, such as white gold, pink gold or green gold.

How to clean yellow gold?

Yellow gold is the most classic and the one that deteriorates the least over time. However, it may lose some shine from contact with dirt, sweat, or chemicals. To clean it you can use these methods:

Water and Detergent: Fill a bowl with warm water and a few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent. Insert the gold piece and let it act for a minute. Scrub it gently using a toothbrush. Rinse with plenty of water and dry with a clean cloth .
Baking soda and vinegar: Mix three tablespoons of baking soda with one of water, until a paste is left. Apply it on the jewel. Let her act and then pour a jet of vinegar. Rinse well with water and dry with a soft cloth to shine .

How to clean white gold?

White gold is an alloy of pure gold with other metals such as palladium or nickel, which give it a silver tone. In addition, it usually has a rhodium bath, which gives it more shine and protection. Over time, this plating can wear down and white gold can yellow or lose its luster. To clean it you can use these methods:

Hydrogen peroxide: Fill a container with hydrogen peroxide and submerge the jewel for a few minutes. Remove it and dry it with a soft cloth.
Ammonia: Dilute one part of ammonia in six parts of water and submerge the jewel for a few seconds. Don't do it longer because it can damage the rhodium. Remove the jewel and dry it with a soft cloth .

How to clean rose gold?

Rose gold is an alloy of pure gold with copper, which gives it a rosy hue. It is a very delicate type of gold and sensitive to oxidation, so care must be taken when cleaning it. You can use these methods:

Neutral soap and water: Fill a container with warm water and a few drops of neutral soap. Submerge the jewelry for a few minutes and gently scrub it with a toothbrush or soft cloth. Rinse with water and dry well.
Lemon: Squeeze the juice of half a lemon and add a tablespoon of salt. Mix well and immerse the jewel for a few minutes. Remove the jewel and rinse with water. Dry it with a soft cloth.

How to maintain the shine of gold?

In addition to cleaning your gold jewelry periodically, you can also follow these tips to keep it always shiny:

Store them in a dry and safe place, wrapped in tissue paper or in individual bags to prevent scratching or tangling.
Avoid contact with chemical products such as perfumes, creams, makeup or cleaning products, which can damage the color or shine of the gold.
Remove jewelry when doing activities that could damage it, such as sports, gardening, or housework.
Take them to a professional jeweler every so often to be checked and polished if necessary.