Gold has been the most loved metal for pieces of jewellery for centuries. It is usually passed down from one generation to another. Being a timeless piece, it is essential to maintain its shine and sparkle. 

In this blog, we will give tips on keeping your gold artefacts sparkling to increase their longevity. We have also included special instructions if your piece has diamonds and stones embedded in it.

Clean Regularly

While wearing gold jewellery, you expose it to dust, sweat, and oil on your skin. In order to keep it shining and as good as new, it is essential to clean it regularly. There are different ways to clean your gold jewellery:

Soak Your Jewellery

You can soak your gold jewellery in a solution of mild soap and warm water for 30 minutes. When the time has passed, scrub it gently with a soft brush.

Wash With Vinegar, Salt & Water

Add some vinegar, a pinch of salt, and warm water in a glass container. Let the jewellery soak for 10 minutes. Then, wash it in plain water. 

Wash With Baking Soda and Water

You can also soak your jewellery in a mixture of warm water and baking soda. Let the soda dissolve in water, and soak your pieces for 10 minutes. Wash off with running water to clean it.

Scrub With A Polishing Cloth

Sometimes, a brush can be too rough on your jewellery, especially if it’s pure gold. You can use a soft, dry cloth to wipe your jewellery regularly to prevent tarnish. You can also use a jewellery polishing cloth to remove dirt and tarnish. Be careful with jewellery with diamonds and other precious stones embedded in them. If you rub too roughly, the stones can dislodge and fall off.

Dry Your Jewellery

Drying your pieces properly is as essential as cleaning. Water can have a negative effect on the jewellery. Lay them out to air-dry, or rub gently with a soft cloth. Do not use tissue paper, as it can easily scratch your gold and get stuck in the crevices of your stone.

Store Properly

Once your jewellery is perfectly clean, make sure to store it in a safe place. A jewellery box is the perfect place to store them. They have separate places for earrings, bangles, and other varieties of pieces. If you do not have a separate jewellery box, keep your ornaments wrapped in a soft cloth to keep them away from each other.

Avoid Chemicals

Harsh chemicals like ammonia, acetone, and bleach can tarnish your jewellery, especially diamond pieces. Diamonds can get easily scratched or lose their shine. Sometimes, the diamond can also get cracked. If such a thing happens, you might not get the best price while demanding cash for a diamond in Kolkata. It is advisable to avoid swimming while wearing pieces of jewellery, as chlorine can make them lose their shine. Even everyday use of chemicals like hairspray, perfume, and cosmetics can discolour the metal and stones. 

Avoid Salt From Sweat

Pure gold is extremely soft, which is why it is mixed with other metals and alloys. Exposing your jewellery to sweat on a regular basis can accelerate the rate at which it tarnishes. However, this is not the case with pure gold. Gold-plated jewellery has an adverse effect on sweat, as the salt from your body can break the coating down and react with the metal underneath. The salts from your sweat can create a reaction similar to oxidation. It can turn your pieces black and even discolour your skin.

Protect Your Pieces From Sunlight & Extreme Temperatures

Exposure of jewellery to direct heat or extreme temperature changes can cause them to discolour. Again, this is because of the other alloys that gold is mixed with to increase its strength. The sun’s UV rays can also lead to structural deterioration. If there are stones in the jewellery, they might get dislodged. If the stones are coloured, extreme temperature changes might even cause them to lose colour. Make sure to keep your jewellery away from sunlight and in a cool and dark place to increase its longevity and shine. This is especially important in the case of diamond jewellery. You might not get the best price when you try to exchange cash for diamond in Kolkata if your jewellery piece lacks shine. 

The Bottom Line

Proper maintenance and care of gold jewellery will make them last for a long time, sometimes even several generations. Cleaning not only keeps them shining, but it’s essential to maintain their design and colour. In the future, if you decide to sell them, there is a higher chance of getting the best price if your pieces are in good condition. If you want to sell old gold for cash, it is certainly helpful to keep them as good as new.