HOW TO CARE AND CLEAN GOLD

18 karat gold is the most recommended for crafting jewelry, because it provides the best balance of durability and shine. Made from 75% pure gold and 25% other metals, it has the hardness and strength needed to resist scratches and prevent deformation. No self-respecting jeweler would work with pure gold as it's too difficult to handle properly and the piece would easily deform.

WHY DOES GOLD TARNISH?

Pure gold, due to its elemental properties, does not rust and is resistant to corrosion. However, it can react with air and humidity creating gold sulfide, which will gradually cause the metal to tarnish. On the other hand, in some alloys, such as those containing copper or silver, the jewelry piece may undergo darkening as a result of the oxidation of these other metals. This process will be accelerated in environments with high levels of pollution and through contact with certain chemicals such as cleaning products, fragrances or cosmetics.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF GOLD JEWELRY

As with silver, it is advisable not to store gold jewelry in excessively dry or humid places, or should it be exposed to corrosive chemicals. We recommend you to take off any of your jewelry before sleeping, when washing your hands, coming into contact with corrosive products, or engaging in sports.

The type of gold obtained depends on the metals it’s alloyed with, and each will require specific care when the time comes to clean your jewelry. It should be noted that no type of gold is better than the others, it will depend on the preferences and style of each person.

YELLOW GOLD

It is the most well known type and is achieved by combining gold, silver and copper. It is also the easiest to maintain because, in optimal conditions, it almost does not tarnish.

Mix water and dish soap and soak your jewelry piece for about 15 minutes and then rub it gently with a soft bristle brush. We recommend brushes specifically for sensitive gums or baby brushes. After these steps, simply rinse the piece with warm water and dry it with a microfiber cloth.

WHITE GOLD 

This alloy is the result of melting pure gold with other white metals such as silver, platinum, palladium, manganese or nickel. In this metal, dirt and micro-scratches are more visible than in yellow gold, which means they require more frequent but equally easy care:

In order to clean white gold jewelry, you need to mix one part vinegar to two tablespoons of baking soda. The next step is soaking your piece in it and leave it for about two hours. Then you can take it out and rinse it with hot water and, finally, dry it with a microfiber cloth.

PINK GOLD

To obtain this beautiful tonality, pure gold is combined with silver and copper, which gives it its characteristic pinkish color.

To clean it, you just need to rub the metal with a soft bristle brush and some toothpaste (thick traditional one, not gel) without abrasive or bleaching effects. It is important it contains sodium bicarbonate. If the toothpaste doesn't meet your needs, soak your jewerly piece in water and dish soap, leave it in for about 15 minutes and then follow same instructions as before.

You can repeat this process more times but always bear in mind the stones in your jewelry piece may get damaged due to this cleaning method and new instructions may be needed.

JEWELRY CLOTH

Another way to polish gold is by using jewelry cloths or cloths specifically designed to clean gold, which will polish the jewel at the same time it removes the dirt from it.

ULTRASOUND

Regardless of the type of gold, it is worth mentioning ultrasonic cleaners, while it does present some challenges in removing tarnish, can effectively and gently eliminate organic matter, even in the most inaccessible corners of the jewelry. This ultrasonic cleaning method is not a substitute but an ideal complement to other existing methods.

When in doubt, we strongly recommend taking the jewelry to a professional jeweler who will know how to deal with the cleaning process and thus restore the desired shine and finish.