Jewelry holds a special place in our hearts, often representing cherished memories, sentiments, and milestones. Whether it's an elegant gold necklace, a timeless sterling silver ring, or a trendy gold-plated earrings, taking proper care of your jewelry ensures its longevity and maintains its luster. In this blog post, we will explore the best practices for caring for real gold, sterling silver, and gold-plated items.
Caring for Real Gold
Gold, a symbol of luxury and opulence, is a precious metal that requires thoughtful care to preserve its brilliance over time.
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Avoid Chemicals: Solid gold is pretty hearty and can be worn all the time. The lower the gold content, the softer the metal. So if you have a 10k or 14k Gold ring, it is best to remove them before swimming, bathing, or using household cleaners. Harsh chemicals, including chlorine and bleach, can tarnish or damage gold. Solid gold jewelry that is 18K or Platinum are very durable!
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Regular Cleaning: To keep your gold jewelry shining, clean it regularly with a mild soap and warm water. Use a soft brush to scrub away any dirt or residue gently. Be sure to dry the piece thoroughly with a soft cloth. If you have an engagement ring with a diamond that needs cleaning, fill a cup with water and a little bit of Windex. You can let your ring soak for a few minutes and wipe it down with a cloth, and it will sparkle like new! (Be careful doing this if you are unsure of the stone in your ring!)
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Proper Storage: Store your gold jewelry in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Use separate compartments or pouches to prevent scratching and tangling. Avoid storing gold pieces with other metals to prevent chemical reactions.
Caring for Sterling Silver
Sterling silver possesses a unique charm, but it is prone to tarnishing. Proper care is essential to maintain its beauty.
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Polishing: Regularly polish your sterling silver jewelry with a silver polishing cloth or a mild silver cleaner. Avoid using abrasive materials, as they can scratch the surface.
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Storage: Store sterling silver in an airtight container or a tarnish-resistant pouch to minimize exposure to air and moisture, both of which contribute to tarnishing.
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Wear it Often: Surprisingly, wearing your sterling silver jewelry often can slow down the tarnishing process. The natural oils in your skin help protect and maintain the metal's shine.
Caring for Gold-Plated and Gold-Filled Items
Gold-plated jewelry offers an affordable alternative to solid gold, but it requires delicate care to prevent the thin layer of gold from wearing off.
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Gentle Cleaning: Clean gold-plated items with a soft cloth and mild soapy water. Avoid abrasive materials or harsh chemicals, as they can strip away the gold layer.
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Limited Exposure: Minimize the exposure of gold-plated jewelry to water, lotions, perfumes, and other substances that can accelerate wear. Remove your gold-plated items before swimming or applying beauty products.
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Storage: Store gold-plated jewelry separately from other pieces and avoid direct contact with harder metals that may scratch or damage the surface. Head over to our jewelry storage blog post to see what we recommend for storage.
- Re-plating: If it is completely gone, you can get items re-plated. Head to your local jewelers to ask if they can help with this service.
Below are links to a few at-home jewelry care items that we recommend!
- Silver Polisher- We give you a free polishing cloth with any order over $100, but if you have a lot of jewelry to polish we recommend Sunshine Polishing Clothes
- Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner- If you have a lot of jewelry that needs cleaning, we recommend an ultrasonic cleaner. It generates 46,000 Hz of ultrasonic sound waves for a powerful yet gentle clean that won't harm your valuables. Please keep in mind that these aren't safe for all gemstones, so make sure you do your research before you use one of these!
Caring for your jewelry is a simple yet crucial aspect of preserving its beauty and longevity. Whether you're wearing real gold, sterling silver, or gold-plated items, following these best practices will help you enjoy your jewelry for years to come. Remember, a little care goes a long way in keeping your precious pieces as stunning as the day you first laid eyes on them.