Promo banner
  • 10% OFF WITH SMS OR EMAIL SIGN UP
  • COMPLIMENTARY SHIPPING & RETURNS
Store locator
ID | Rp IDR

How to Clean and Maintain Your Gold Jewelry

12 minute read

Keeping your gold to a gold standard requires a bit of upkeep, but it's simpler than you might think. With regular at-home cleaning, proper storage and occasional repairs, your gold pieces will remain in pristine condition and tarnish-free for years to come.

Why Regular Cleaning is Essential

Like fingerprints on a mirror or a streak on stainless steel, the natural oils in your skin can dull your jewelry’s shine. Sunscreen, lotion, makeup, and other cosmetics only compound this effect. Over time, gold jewelry can also develop “tarnish”—a thin layer of corrosion from exposure to air, heat, and moisture. Tarnish is far easier to remove than rust but requires routine cleaning to stave off.

To maintain well-cared-for and clean gold jewelry, you should aim to clean all of your fine jewelry pieces at least once a month. However, certain pieces (like women’s gold rings or earrings, which tend to get dirtier more often) may require extra attention as needed—that is, on a weekly or biweekly basis.

Keeping your gold to a gold standard requires a bit of upkeep, but it's simpler than you might think. With regular at-home cleaning, proper storage and occasional repairs, your gold pieces will remain in pristine condition and tarnish-free for years to come.

Preparing for Cleaning

You likely have everything you’ll need on hand already to clean your favorite gold piece. Remember, cleaning gold jewelry is done a little differently than cleaning sterling silver jewelry (our how to clean sterling silver jewelry guide has that covered).  Keeping your pieces polished yourself saves time and money, and, save for particularly complex cleaning jobs, is usually quite easy to do.

Materials

You’ll need:

Set out your supplies and your jewelry in an area far from your sink to avoid losing your jewelry (or precious parts like earring backs) down the drain.

Cleaning Method 1: Soap and Water

The first and most common method for cleaning gold is with simple soap and water. Be sure to choose a gentle, non-abrasive dish soap to prevent corrosion, and follow the steps below.

Step 1: Fill Your Bowl

For general maintenance and shine, lukewarm water alone often does the trick. But if you’ve noticed any oil or buildup on your jewelry, add a few drops of dish soap to create a mild cleaning solution.

Step 2: Soak and Scrub

Let your piece soak in your water or soap solution for a few minutes. If you still notice any buildup or grime, use your toothbrush to gently scrub it away, paying special attention to any ridges or recesses. Then, soak again.

Step 3: Rinse and Dry

Refresh your bowl, replacing the solution with clean water. Rinse your piece and let it air dry (or gently dry it with a clean cotton cloth).

Step 4: Polish

Gently polish your piece with a polishing cloth until you notice its shine return.

Step 5: Inspect

Before you clean up, inspect your jewelry to ensure no loose gemstones, backs, or clasps have been scrubbed away. If all is intact and good as new, you’re all set.

Cleaning Method 2: Baking Soda and Vinegar

An alternative method of returning your gold’s shine is a baking soda-vinegar solution. A bit harsher than dish soap, this method shouldn’t be used on more delicate pieces (especially ones adorned with pearls or gemstones), but it can come in handy for tougher cleaning jobs on sturdier pieces.

Step 1: Mix

Create your solution by mixing three parts baking soda with one part water. Once well combined, the solution should take on the consistency of toothpaste.

Step 2: Apply

Coat your entire piece in the paste using a cotton swab (not a toothbrush—the bristles combined with baking soda might scratch your piece), then place it in your bowl.

Step 3: Pour

Pour distilled white vinegar over your piece, completely submerging it, and let it soak for five minutes.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

Rinse your piece thoroughly in warm water and dry it with a soft cloth.

Cleaning Method 3: Using Commercial Jewelry Cleaners

For gold pieces containing other gemstones, commercial jewelry cleaners are an option. Just be sure to choose a gentle, non-toxic solution free from acids, alcohol, and ammonia. 

Most commercial jewelry cleaners are designed to soak gold (some for just 1 to 2 minutes, some for up to 30 minutes—consult your cleaner of choice’s packaging). Simply submerge your piece in the solution, then rinse with water and pat dry. 

Homemade Jewelry Cleaner Recipes

If you’re hoping to completely avoid the harsher chemicals found in commercial jewelry cleaners, making a DIY jewelry cleaning solution is a gentler option. 

Most recipes include the trusty aforementioned ingredients: hot water, dish soap, distilled vinegar, and baking soda. 

Sometimes lemon juice or a pure vinegar soak is recommended. However, we advise against these often too-acidic methods, which can often do more harm than good. Harsh cleaners like Windex are also a no-go. 

Instead, opt for a grime-busting paste: one tablespoon of vinegar mixed with two tablespoons of baking soda. Once the fizzing stops, dab it on with a cotton swab, then rinse and buff with a microfiber towel.

Removing Tarnish from Gold Jewelry

Wearing your favorite gold pieces daily for decades to come will naturally mean that they’re subject to a little wear and tear. Even the purest gold might tarnish over time, thanks to other metals added in tiny amounts to keep it strong and durable.

Not to worry—it’s just as easy to leave a tarnished piece looking good as new. It just requires a slightly different soaking process.

Step 1: Gather Materials

To clean tarnished gold, you’ll need:

Again, be sure to clean your jewelry away from the sink in order to avoid any parts’ loss to the drain.

Step 2: Prepare Your Dish

Wrap your dish completely in aluminum foil, then spread a small scoop of baking soda across the bottom. Lay your tarnished pieces atop the foil and baking soda.

Step 3: Soak

Boil water, then pour it into your dish—just enough to completely cover every piece. Allow your jewelry to soak in the solution.

Step 4: Polish

After a few minutes (and once the water has cooled a bit), remove each piece and polish it dry with a small microfiber cloth. Inspect to ensure no loose parts remain in the dish, and your pieces should be as good as new.

Cleaning Gold Pieces with Gemstones

Perhaps your favorite piece of gold jewelry features non-gold pieces, like gemstones, charms, or other adornments. The cleaning process for such pieces is largely the same as for pieces made solely of gold (with the exception of pieces including natural or porous materials, like turquoise or raw stone, which require professional care).

Follow the aforementioned scrubbing, soaking, and polishing process for gemstone-laden pieces, lightly scrubbing the stones with a mild dish soap solution and a toothbrush. You might also opt for a non-toxic jewelry cleaning solution for deep cleans, which can be applied directly to the gemstone and delicately scrubbed with a toothbrush.

Step 1: Gather Materials

To clean tarnished gold, you’ll need:

Again, be sure to clean your jewelry away from the sink in order to avoid any parts’ loss to the drain.

Step 2: Prepare Your Dish

Wrap your dish completely in aluminum foil, then spread a small scoop of baking soda across the bottom. Lay your tarnished pieces atop the foil and baking soda.

Step 3: Soak

Boil water, then pour it into your dish—just enough to completely cover every piece. Allow your jewelry to soak in the solution.

Step 4: Polish

After a few minutes (and once the water has cooled a bit), remove each piece and polish it dry with a small microfiber cloth. Inspect to ensure no loose parts remain in the dish, and your pieces should be as good as new.

Cleaning Gold Pieces with Gemstones

Perhaps your favorite piece of gold jewelry features non-gold pieces, like gemstones, charms, or other adornments. The cleaning process for such pieces is largely the same as for pieces made solely of gold (with the exception of pieces including natural or porous materials, like turquoise or raw stone, which require professional care).

Follow the aforementioned scrubbing, soaking, and polishing process for gemstone-laden pieces, lightly scrubbing the stones with a mild dish soap solution and a toothbrush. You might also opt for a non-toxic jewelry cleaning solution for deep cleans, which can be applied directly to the gemstone and delicately scrubbed with a toothbrush.

That’s it! Be sure to test your jewelry upon cleaning to make sure that no stones or charms have become loose. If any have, consider seeing a professional jeweler to have them tightened.

Post-Cleaning Care and Maintenance

Aside from regular cleaning, there are a few more practices essential to giving your gold a long, happy, and shiny life. It’s crucial to care for and protect your gold as you wear it, and keeping up with these guidelines will make your next cleaning session that much easier.

Storage

Be sure to store your gold in a dry environment to prevent tarnishing from the buildup of moisture (this is why many jewelry boxes are lined with felt). If possible (especially for pieces with precious stones or other intricate designs), store each piece separately. A separated box, pouch, or cloth wrap can keep jewelry from tangling and damage from rubbing against other pieces.

Insurance and Inventory

Keeping tabs on your jewelry is technically part of its maintenance. Consider insuring your most precious pieces in case of theft or damage. Not only will this grant you peace of mind, but it’ll also ensure your collection stays intact even if a piece is accidentally broken beyond repair. 

Regardless of whether it's needed for insurance claims, always maintain a detailed inventory of your valuable jewelry and securely file away all receipts.

Repairs

Keeping your jewelry in mint condition means keeping up with repairs. Even a small repair like tightening a loose clasp will help maintain your jewelry’s value and keep you from losing the piece or damaging it further. 

Avoid DIY repairs when possible—while cleaning can be done at home, a lasting repair job typically requires the tools of a professional.

Chemical Exposure

You likely know that exposure to chemicals can cause damage to jewelry—but you might not think about the chemicals your pieces encounter every day. Chlorine from the pool, hairspray, perfume, and certain soaps, cleaners, and detergents can all cause serious damage to gold. 

Remember to remove your gold jewelry before swimming or working with abrasive products. If removing all of your jewelry so often seems too tedious, try wearing gloves while doing chores or simply prioritize removing your most precious pieces.

Even everyday cosmetics like lotions, oils, sunscreen, and makeup can create oily buildup. When possible, avoid applying these products while wearing gold jewelry, and keep in mind that contact might create a need for more frequent cleanings.

Finally, try to avoid sleeping or showering in your jewelry, as abrasion from washcloths, loofahs, and even regular tossing and turning can cause wear and tear.

Professional Cleaning Services

General gold maintenance can be done entirely at home. However, if you have an advanced job on your hands, it’s always best to consult a professional jeweler rather than risk damaging your piece. For instance, vintage pieces might need more intense repair or restoration before you begin an at-home cleaning regimen. 

If your piece is not vintage, but an old favorite and has endured some regular wear and tear, a jeweler can help you polish it while tightening any loose prongs and securing or replacing loose gemstones. And if your piece is severely tarnished or suffers from caked-in dirt, a jeweler’s steam cleaner or other advanced machinery can help remove that extra grime.

Discover John Hardy Gold Jewelry

Investing in a regular maintenance routine means your gold jewelry pieces will last a lifetime. A monthly clean and polish will keep your pieces sparkling, even in the face of tarnish and buildup, and can be done with just a few drops of dish soap. Further, with precautionary insurance, proper storage, prompt repairs, and prudent avoidance of chemical exposure, you’ll ensure your pieces are kept safe and your collection intact. 

John Hardy jewelry combines innovative design with artisanal craftsmanship, and our handcrafted gold pieces are built to shine for years to come. 

Build your collection with sustainably made women’s gold bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces, and pendants with or without the adornment of diamonds and gemstones. With long-lasting durability and easy maintenance, our pieces stay gold for good.

 

Sources: 

Washington State University. All that glitters is not (pure) gold. https://news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/article/all-that-glitters-is-not-pure-gold/

Southern Living. How to Clean Gold in Four Easy Steps. https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-gold-7557639

Martha Stewart. How to Clean Jewelry—Plus, Tips for Keeping Your Gold, Silver, and Diamonds Sparkling.  https://www.marthastewart.com/1540841/how-clean-jewelry#toc-how-to-clean-gold-jewelry

WikiHow. How to Clean Gold With Baking Soda. https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Gold-with-Baking-Soda

The Spruce. How to Make a Homemade DIY Jewelry Cleaner. https://www.thespruce.com/diy-jewelry-cleaner-7372300

The Economic Times. 9 essential tips on how to take care of your gold jewellery. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/save/9-essential-tips-for-caring-and-preserving-your-gold-jewellery/articleshow/105858498.cms?from=mdr