subject: How To Look After Your Gold Jewellery [print this page] Keeping your gold jewellery in top condition is important to ensuring it looks its best at all times. Rings, necklaces and earrings can often lose their shine simply because of the everyday build up of hair products or body lotions, oils and perfumes. We've listed the top tips to keep your gold jewellery in optimal condition.
Cleaning methods
By knowing how to effectively clean your gold jewellery you'll be able to keep it sparkling and looking like brand new.
A good way to clean gold jewellery is to get a small bowl and mix a small amount of non abrasive soap or detergent with warm water. Let the item soak and then gently use a very soft toothbrush to clean in the crevices. Be careful not to use a brush that will scratch the surface.
Once the ring is clean, rinse it with warm water and buff it with a soft, lint free cloth.
Another cleaning method you could try is using a liquid cleaner which you can purchase from a jeweller. These are generally very good, just make sure you purchase one that is right for your jewellery and use caution if your gold has precious stones or diamonds set into it as you may need to purchase a gentler form of cleaner.
Care tips
One of the main tips for keeping gold looking its best is not to wear it all the time. This makes it wear faster and also makes it more susceptible to getting damaged. It is hard with engagement rings and special items of jewellery because you don't want to take them off. At least make sure you take them off if you are doing any activity where they might be damaged such as gardening.
When cleaning the house it is a good idea to take off your gold jewellery as it may be damaged by the cleaning products you are using. Similarly when you are washing the dishes, or even when taking a shower.
Chlorine can also damage gold so make sure you take all of your jewellery off before you go swimming.
It is also very important to make sure that when you store your jewellery it is not at all moist or damp. Moisture can cause clasps to weaken.
Storage
The best way to store your gold jewellery is in a jewellery wrap or a fully lined jewellery box that has different compartments. A good lining for a jewellery box is velvet. Make sure that you separate diamond rings from other gold pieces as the stones may scratch the gold.
If you don't have a box with individual compartments you can always wrap each piece individually in tissue paper and store separately in pouches or small bags.
Jewellery is something we all treasure and want to have for years to come. If cared for in the right way, gold can last for hundreds of years. I hope our tips have explained some helpful hints on how to keep your gold jewellery in top condition.
