Gold is a great investment that does not only shine splendid as jewelry but also retains the value after many years. Unfortunately, normal wear is going to dull out your gold pieces from dirt, oils and harsh environment exposure.

When you perform proper cleaning and care, you can ensure that your gold jewelry remains gleaming bright and retains its beauty for many years.

Consider these as your cheat sheet for caring some gold.

Understand Gold’s Composition

You may notice different karats in gold jewelry, representing the purity of the gold. Gold in its purest form (24k) is soft, so it is alloyed with other metals such as silver, copper or even nickel to make durable pieces for everyday wear.

Knowing what your jewelry is made of will help you in personalizing your maintenance.

Routine Cleaning at Home

The grime from sweat, lotion and other daily exposure can sit on gold jewelry. If you clean it up a little bit, that will do wonders for bringing back its shine.

Cleaning your gold jewelry at home — here is how to do that:

Bowl of Warm Water and Non-Abrasive Soap: Mix a bowl of warm water and drops of mild dish soap or a gentle, non-abrasive jewelry cleaner. Submerge your gold in the solution and leave it there for 15-20 minutes.

Lightly Brush with a Soft-Bristle Toothbrush: Use a soft-bristle toothbrush or an appropriate jewelry- cleaning brush to lightly scrub the piece. Be thorough and pay attention to all the little details, such as cracks and tines – this is where dirt goes to hide.

Rinse and Dry: Rinse the jewelry with warm water to eliminate any soap residue. Do not rub — just dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Refrain from using tissues or paper towels as they may scratch the surface.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals and Abrasives

This will lead to great adhesion only for a short-term fitness level if we are going to choose harsh chemicals.

Gold is a very soft metal and can be damaged, but not by much it only needs exposure to worse chemicals such as chlorine bleach or strong detergent. Household cleaning products and chlorinated water of pools are enemies of your gold jewelry.

When cleaning it, do not use a rough scrubbing pad or a rough material that would scratch the surface of the metal. Rather opt for mild cleansers that will keep it from losing its sheen.

Polish with Care

Gold jewelry may lose its shine over the years but a light polish will bring back the shimmer. And to cover up all these marks use a polishing cloth made specifically for gold jewelry.

Do not polish excessively, since too much rubbing will remove the gold plating or change delicate designs. If you do not know how to polish a piece, go see a professional jeweler.

Proper Storage

Prevent scratches, tangles and tarnishing by keeping your gold jewelry in the right place. Store your gold coins in separate soft cloth pouches or a compartmentalized jewelry box. This keeps your pieces from rubbing against each other and minimizes their exposure to air and humidity.

Be Mindful of When You Wear It

Gold jewelry is prone to damage due to physical activities, sudden weather conditions, or design factors and chemicals.

Take off your gold ornaments while exercising, swimming and applying cosmetics, lotions and perfumes. This measure prevents the watch from getting scratched, discolored or exposed to dangerous things.

You Need Professional Cleaning/Inspection

Gold jewelry needs professional cleaning and assessment at least once a year, so have your items serviced by a local jeweler for long-term care.

This keeps the metal sparkling and makes sure that gemstones or settings are secured properly. Ultrasonic cleaners, or steam cleaning used by a pros will get you better results.

Final Thoughts

Take action! Regular care gives you the time-honored look of your most favorite possessions for generations, their inherent beauty – timeless – consistent. Give your gold jewelry the treatment it deserves, and it will sparkle again and again every time you put in.