Gold jewellery has an undeniable exquisiteness with its remarkable shine, but caring for it is a vital part of maintaining its allure. If your gold jewellery seems to be losing its lustre, it may be a good time to give it some tender loving care and bring that sheen back.
Why is Regular Maintenance Needed for Gold Jewellery?
Given how gold jewellery is worn daily, regular maintenance would be vital to maintain its shine. You might not realise it, but wear and tear can happen at any time. For example, exposure to moisture, sweat, dirt, and other elements can tarnish the jewellery’s lustre. Meanwhile, scratches and other forms of damage can also lead to a gradual loss of shine in your gold jewellery, leaving permanent scars that impact its appearance. The last thing you want is for your gold jewellery to lose its lustre due to this gradual wear and tear. Keeping them clean on a regular schedule is an excellent way to prevent that from happening.
Preventive Care
A simple way to maintain your gold jewellery’s shine is to store it safely and away from anything that could tarnish its surface. Ideally, you should keep your gold jewellery in a soft pouch or jewellery box that can secure it from any damage or from exposure to elements that cause tarnishing. Also, be sure to avoid wearing your gold jewellery while engaging in household activities, participating in sports, sleeping, or bathing. Ensure that you also store each piece of gold jewellery separately to prevent accidental damage.
It also helps to keep your gold jewellery as far away from abrasive cleaners, like bleach. If any of these chemicals come into contact with your jewellery, it can cause gradual deterioration that permanently damages your gold jewellery.
Simple Cleaning
You do not need to invest heavily in expensive cleaning tools or solutions to give your gold jewellery a clean-up. In fact, a simple warm water and soap solution is perfect for all your gold jewellery cleaning needs. For one, a mild cleaning detergent, dish soap, or baby shampoo is gentle enough to remove dirt and other contaminants from your gold jewellery without stripping it of its lustre. Warm water is also gentle on your gold jewellery, as hot water could cause damage due to the sudden temperature spike.
To start, mix your warm water and gentle soap in a bowl, then carefully submerge your gold jewellery for 10 to 20 minutes. Clean only one or two pieces at a time to prevent the risk of scratches. Then, use a soft toothbrush to scrub areas with visible buildup gently; cotton swabs can be handy for reaching hard-to-reach areas.
Dry Carefully
Once you clean your gold jewellery, gently rinse it with plain water and use a soft cotton cloth to dry it. Again, be sure to do this one piece at a time, and avoid drying your jewellery with kitchen towels or anything with a rough surface to prevent scratches. If your gold jewellery is not made from pure gold, avoid air drying to prevent exposure to oxidation, causing its sheen to tarnish. Ensure that you dry each jewellery piece thoroughly so that you do not leave water residue on its surface, which could cause tarnishing or other issues.
Regular Polishing
Cleaning your gold jewellery is an essential step, but routine polishing is also necessary. It helps preserve the shine and lustre of your gold jewellery, ensuring that any grime, dirt, or other elements on the jewellery are thoroughly removed. You can use a soft cloth or even a proprietary gold jewellery polishing cloth to buff each precious piece, but ensure you do so in gentle, circular motions to minimise the risk of tarnishing or scratching. Avoid using any harsh or abrasive chemicals (typically found in many cleaning solutions), as these can potentially strip your gold jewellery of its shine.
Keep It Going
As long as you repeat your cleaning and polishing regularly, you will have no trouble keeping your gold jewellery in excellent condition for a very long time. If you regularly wear certain gold jewellery pieces, you should ensure that you clean them once a week. For prized gold jewellery possessions that you have stored securely, a cleaning session every two or three months may be an ideal schedule to maintain, keeping them in exquisite shape for the foreseeable future. Consistency will be key to ensuring your gold jewellery looks its best at all times.
Find Your Desired Gold Jewellery at Merlin Goldsmith
At Merlin Goldsmith, we offer a diverse selection of fine gold jewellery in various eye-catching designs. With years of experience in the industry, we aspire to be Singapore's No. 1 gold jewellery store. We welcome you to our store to admire our luxurious collection and pick out your favourites for any special occasion.