Gold jewelry’s elegant appeal is why it’s on heavy rotation in your wardrobe and the go-to accessory shade to elevate almost any look. At Lightbox, we swear by the timeless material for a variety of pieces in our collection. Constant accessorizing will cause the gold jewelry to show signs of wear of time. But hey, having gold jewelry that has that lived in could be your vibe. Even if you prefer that bright and new look, don’t banish the pieces to the back of the jewelry box. Because we have a bit of good news: You don’t have to be an expert or pay a jeweler to know how to clean gold jewelry. From what to clean gold with to simple step-by-step instructions for routine care, this guide will have your gold jewelry back to new pronto.
How to clean gold jewelry
To keep the gold setting bright, use a soft polishing cloth (sometimes referred to as a silver polishing cloth) and firmly rub it on the metal. This will help restore some shine to the ring, bracelet, earring, or necklace. In terms of timing, this treatment should be done on an as-needed basis. There’s no need to overdo it because who has the time to polish their jewelry every day?
If you’re wondering what cleans gold or if you need a fancy at-home cleaning solution, the answer is no.
For a deeper clean, fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and a splash of mild dishwasher soap. Allow the diamond jewelry to soak in the liquid for about 20 minutes.
Remove the ring and use a soft bristle toothbrush to lightly scrub around the diamond, paying special attention to the prongs and basket. The toothbrush helps remove dirt and buildup from aerosols, lotions, makeup, and soap. Our tip: If you’re not sure if the toothbrush you have is a soft bristle one, use a baby toothbrush to be sure; rinse and store for your next jewelry cleaning.
One thing to remember before you proceed, and trust us when we say this: always make sure the drain on the sink is plugged before you start cleaning. After a gentle scrub using the toothbrush, rinse the ring and, if necessary, repeat.
Satisfied with the cleaning? Be sure to completely dry the jewelry with a soft polishing cloth or lint-free cloth. If you don’t have the proper cloth, opt to let the jewelry air dry to avoid scratching the metal band or setting.
Lightbox’s gold jewelry
Have you had a look at our collection? It’s pretty clear that our love of gold jewelry runs deep. Gold earrings? We got ‘em! Bracelets and necklaces? Check and check. And because we love this regal shade (and you) so much, we offer yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and gold vermeil jewelry. If you’re interested in learning more about the differences in our gold options, we have a guide to gold right here.
Lightbox’s yellow gold and rose gold jewelry are plated with a durable two microns of precious 18 karat gold. This level of plating helps protect against daily wear and tear, but good care habits, like keeping the jewelry dry and storing jewelry separately with all clasps closed.
Our white gold jewelry is nickel-free, 10 karat, and plated with a scratch-resistant layer of rhodium. The rhodium helps ensure that the jewelry maintains its bright and white finish and shiny-new look. Over time and with regular wear, you might find the rhodium plating wears. This is perfectly normal but if you want to do something about the natural wear, a professional jeweler can easily re-rhodium the bauble for you.
How to store jewelry at home
When you’re not wearing your beloved jewelry, it’s best to store it in a dry, cool, and safe place. A jewelry box is ideal, but if you don’t have a closed container, make sure jewelry isn’t placed in a high-moisture part of your home, like a bathroom. The damp climate will speed up the unwanted tarnishing process.
Proper care and storage will also help prevent tangling, so be mindful to fasten clasps on necklaces and bracelets once you take them off.
When we talked about the differences between lab-grown and natural diamonds, we touched on the fact that diamonds are the hardest material in the world. In fact, did you know they can scratch metals and other diamonds? To keep this from occurring, store pairs of earrings slightly apart from each other and try to give each piece of jewelry its own dedicated spot in your jewelry box—or return the jewelry to a soft travel pouch or the original box it came in.
Jewelry care tips everyone should know
The best jewelry care tips are preventative, and these quick reminders will help the out-of-the-box sparkle of Lightbox jewelry last a little longer.
- Always remove your jewelry before doing any athletics or sport. Things like holding heavy weights or flowing into Downward Dog could bend the band of a ring. Dinging your jewelry could knock a prong loose and possibly cause a diamond to fall out.
- Consistent exposure to chlorine will erode plating and metals over time—and salt water isn’t great either. So, if your swimwear needs accessorizing, might we suggest sunglasses or storing your baubles while you take a dip?
- Jewelry should be the last thing you put on once you’re dressed. This will help to minimize the contact with lotions and perfumes, which can have a detrimental effect on plating and tarnishing.
Now that you’re finished, go enjoy your clean gold jewelry!
Should you sleep with your jewelry on?
Sure, you can sleep with your jewelry on, but we don’t exactly recommend it. Prongs could snag on your hair or bedding, which could damage your sheets or cause the stone’s setting to come loose. Don’t get into the habit of sleeping in your earrings, either. Posts could easily bend as you toss and turn, or the back could pop off, causing the earring to get lost or damaged as well.
Remember, diamonds are precious stones, and it’s important to treat them as such.
When to see a professional jeweler
Any prong-set jewelry that is regularly worn should get a “prong check” from a professional jewelry shop about once a year. Here at Lightbox, our team hand-sets each prong to ensure our prong mountings are secure. The everyday bumps and friction can occasionally knock a prong loose, and the pros can quickly check to make sure everything is snug.
If you want peace of mind at home, look and listen to your jewelry. To do this, hold the prong-set jewelry between two fingers and hold it close to your ear. When you shake it, do you hear anything? Perhaps a rattling noise or a faint click? These sounds are signs you need to have the prongs tightened by a pro.
Insure your bling
While Lightbox does not offer insurance plans, we encourage you to have all Lightbox lab-grown diamond jewelry added to existing plans.
Now that you know how to take care of your gold jewelry, don’t you think it’s time to go for the gold? Find your next great piece of jewelry now. Our lab-grown diamonds start at 800 U.S. dollars. Shop now at www.lightboxjewelry.com.
