First off, you want to maintain the beautiful appearance of your gold jewelry.
Finely polished gold has a brilliant mirror-like finish that shines and catches light like nothing else, Klaes says.
The second reason to clean your gold is for hygienic purposes.
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Dirt and grime will build up over time in any recessed areas of your jewelry.
This can cause skin irritation and inflammation, especially in ear piercings, says Klaes.
Keeping your gold clean is an important part of comfortably enjoying and wearing your jewelry.
Do not expose your gems to harsh cleaning agents that can damage them.
Softer gemssuch as pearlsor turquoise should be handled and cleaned gently, according to Hill.
Buildup on the back of faceted gemstones will dull the stone’s brilliance.
Also, check for any loose gemstones before you clean your jewelry, Whitten says.
What You Shouldn’t Use To Clean Gold
Never use harsh chemicals when cleaning gold.
According to Hill, WindexWindex should not be usedto clean gold.
It contains solvents and other harsh ingredients that can damage your gold.
Additionally, because gold is soft, be wary of things that could knick or scratch it.
These will scratch the surface of your gold and destroy the polish, he warns.
When Should You Go To A Professional?
They also have ultrasonic machines and steam cleaners that vibrate and blast away caked-in dirt, explains Whitten.
Difficult cleaning jobs should be left to a professional jeweler, warns Hill.
Take it off before washing dishes, cooking, gardening, or swimming in the pool.
Store it somewhere fabric-lined and dust-free, like a pouch or jewelry box.
And if you want to polish it up, use a soft, microfiber towel.
If you see 14K or 20K, that refers to the amount of gold in the jewelry.
The higher the number, the higher the gold content24 karats is pure gold.
