Introduction
Gold plated jewelry can add an elegant look to your wardrobe. It is a great way to showcase your own personal style with fashionable pieces that won’t break the bank. But there are some key things you must do to ensure that gold plated jewelry stays in good condition and doesn’t tarnish. Keeping gold plated jewelry from tarnishing involves providing the proper care before, during, and after using it so that your pieces look their best for years to come.
Before using gold plated jewelry, it’s important to understand what type of piece it is and how best you should care for the material. Many types of gold plating use different materials such as brass or nickel as a base underneath the layer of gold. This means that it won’t be affected by water like pure gold is and if any element other than water comes into contact with the piece, it may cause damage or tarnishing over time. For this reason, you should keep your pieces away from fragrances, chemicals, sweat and anything else that could cause damage.
If cleaning your jewelry, use mild soap and warm water along with a soft cloth or brush. This will help remove any debris or oil buildup without damaging the material and causing excessive wear on the finish. After washing with soap, you can lay paper towel under your jewelry items when drying them off so they don’t come into direct contact with another surface which could scratch them up or cause discoloration due to chemical reactions between both surfaces.
In addition to cleaning regularly, you should store pieces separately from each other in airtight containers so they don’t rub against each other while being stored. The materials used on such items are not very durable and rubbing them against one another can easily cause permanent marks and damages over time so keeping them apart is necessary to keep them looking new! Finally, avoid getting lotions or oils on the jewelry while wearing because these lubricants can leave behind residue which attracts dirt faster making it harder to clean down the road.
By taking proper care of your gold plated jewelry before, during, and after wearing it you can ensure its longevity and make sure that it still has its shining appearance for years to come!
Environmental Factors That Cause Jewelry Tarnishing
The biggest factor in preventing jewelry from tarnishing is limiting your jewelry’s exposure to the environment. High humidity, sweat, creams and soaps are all elements that will speed up jewelry tarnishing. To prevent this, take off any gold plated jewelry before swimming or showering and apply beauty and hygiene products before putting on any jewelry. Also, it is best to store your gold plated jewelry in a dry place like a cool drawer or a sealed plastic bag with an anti-tarnish strip when not being worn. Additionally, it is important to keep gold plated items away from chemicals like detergents and perfumes as these can cause rapid tarnishing. Keep your pieces away from heat sources, as extreme temperatures can also cause discoloration in gold plating. Finally, it may be helpful to clean your items occasionally using baby shampoo or other non-abrasive cleaners such as baking soda mixed with lukewarm water. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the item after cleaning and dry it by patting with a soft cloth before storing.
Best Practices to Protect Gold Plated Jewelry from Tarnishing
1) Avoid exposing your gold plated jewelry to chemicals like chlorine, detergents, hair sprays and perfumes that can easily tarnish its surface.
2) To reduce the possibility of your jewelry getting scratched, it’s important to keep your pieces in separate cases or boxes to prevent them from chafing against each other.
3) Make sure to regularly clean and polish your gold plated jewelry with a soft cloth to remove any oils and accumulated dirt that may lead to oxidization.
4) When not wearing your gold plated jewelry, store them in anti-tarnish bags that are available at most general stores.
5) Regularly get your gold plated jewelry inspected by an expert jeweler if you feel they have been exposed to extreme elements. The jeweler can advise you on any repair work required and indicate if certain items need a protective top coat.
Limiting Exposure to Chemicals and Other Corrosive Substances
To further prevent gold plated jewelry from tarnishing, avoid exposing it to cleaning products such as soap, lotions, and perfumes. These products contain natural oils, chemicals and alcohols which can cause discoloration over time. When wearing gold plated jewelry on a beach or around a pool, rinse off with fresh water immediately afterward as chlorine and other pool chemicals can create corrosion or damage the gold plating. Keeping pieces away from direct sunlight is also important as the sun’s heat and light can accelerate tarnishing. It’s also recommended that you do not sleep in gold-plated jewelry since continual movement – along with natural body oils – can cause rapid fading of the finish. Additionally, store your jewelry in an airtight container such as a plastic bag when not in use to protect it from humidity and air degradation. If needed use a polishing cloth periodically to keep your pieces looking new.
Ways of Properly Storing Gold Plated Jewelry to Avoid Discoloration
One of the best ways to protect gold plated jewelry from tarnishing is to store it in an airtight container such as a sealed plastic bag or box. Additionally, tarnish-resistant jewelry bags are also available and can be used to store pieces of jewelry individually if possible. It is also important to avoid keeping pieces of gold plated jewelry together in piles for long periods of time; this could cause the pieces to rub against each other, resulting in varying degrees of wear and fading. Jewelry should also be removed before swimming, bathing, or showering, as contact with water can cause gold plating to discolor quicker! To keep your gold plated jewelry from losing its shine, avoid using harsh chemical cleaners when cleaning your items. Instead, use a microfiber cloth with warm (nearly lukewarm) water and gentle soap for regular maintenance.
Techniques for Cleaning Gold Plated Jewelry Effectively and Affordably
1. Wear protective gloves during the cleaning process as many of the solvents used can cause skin irritation, or worse.
2. Use a solution of warm soapy water and a soft cloth to lightly scrub the jewelry, giving extra focus on any tarnished areas. Avoid getting any part of the jewelry too wet, especially if the stone is glued in place with cement or glue as you could weaken this bond. Rinse with warm water and buff dry.
3. If some light tarnishing persists, other options are available such as using vinegar/lemon juice diluted with water, baking soda and aluminum foil, or commercial cleaning products meant for jewellery – just make sure that they’re compatible with gold plated jewelry before using them! To really bring back shine and luster for heavy tarnish, use a special soft bristled brush to gently scrub away at these areas and then wipe away dirt with a damp cloth followed by thoroughly drying it off before storage.
4. Always store your gold plated jewelry in airtight containers or zip-lock bags when you’re not wearing it to avoid further oxidation from environmental factors like humidity in the air. Avoid placing multiple pieces on top of one another without protection as well so they don’t rub against each other over time due to friction which can lead to abrading off the plating layer faster than expected!
Enhancing the Shine and Protecting Gold Plated Jewelry with Polishing
The first step in keeping gold plated jewelry from tarnishing is to polish it regularly. This will help remove any dirt, grime, and oils that may be on the metal’s surface which can cause discoloration and make the metal oxidize faster. Polishing can be done by hand with a soft cloth or jewelry polishing cloth, or gently in a rotary tumbler using an appropriate solution that is specifically designed for gold-plated pieces. To properly reduce the occurrence of tarnish and dulling, use a microfiber cloth in circular motions to buff the piece after cleaning and drying. After each use, this same method should be applied to immediately restore the shine of precious metals used in coating pieces such as silver or copper-based alloys including copper plating techniques.
Furthermore, an additional step one should take to prevent tarnishment is to apply a protective layer or coat of a wax sealant over the plating which will give added protection against everyday environmental wear and tear. These waxes are formulated specifically to shield gold-plated items from atmospheric elements as well as moisture and chemicals found within different work environments. The regular application of such solutions will also bring out even more luster from the material used for creating jewelry; ultimately maintaining its exceptional quality for years to come!
Conclusion
Gold plated jewelry can be an excellent choice for a beautiful and lustrous look. It is important, however, to take special care of gold plated jewelry in order to keep it from tarnishing. The best way to maintain your jewelry’s condition is to store it in areas where little moisture and humidity are present. In particular, avoid leaving your gold plated jewelry in bathrooms or outdoors, as excess water may cause the metal plating to corrode quickly. Additionally, you can use certain chemical solutions that assist with preventing tarnish on gold or silver plating if necessary.
It is also important not to expose gold plated jewelry to products containing chlorine or other harsh chemicals, such as swimming pools or cleaning products. Last but not least, regularly wiping down your items with a dry polishing cloth can remove dirt and oil buildup that cause the metal to oxidize and become discolored over time. Furthermore, when wearing gold plated jewelry it is important take off pieces before engaging in sports or rough activity as both sweat and hard contact will damage the item more quickly than if it were sitting dormant on a shelf. With all of this in mind you should be able to keep your gold plated jewelry looking its absolute best for years!
Welcome to my jewelry blog! My name is Sarah and I am the owner of this blog.
I love making jewelry and sharing my creations with others.
So whether you’re someone who loves wearing jewelry yourself or simply enjoys learning about it, be sure to check out my blog for insightful posts on everything related to this exciting topic!
