How to Keep Your Gold-Plated Jewelry from Tarnishing
Gold-plating jewelry has been a very popular choice of jewelry as they are elegant and affordable. On certain occasions, the thin layer of gold that is on top of the jewelry, hence the name gold-plated, starts to fade or tarnish. In this blog we are going to discuss a number of ways you can prevent this. Let’s get started.
What Is Gold-plated Jewelry?
Before we jump into the tips on how to keep your gold-plated jewelry looking shiny and new, let’s take a quick look at what gold-plated jewelry actually is. Simply put, gold-plated jewelry is made by taking a base metal, like brass or copper, and covering it with a very thin layer of real gold using a process called electroplating. This thin layer of gold gives the jewelry that rich, elegant look we all love—without the hefty price tag of solid gold pieces. That’s why gold-plated jewelry has become such a popular choice for people who want something stylish and luxurious, yet still budget-friendly.
Tips on Preventing Gold-Plated Jewelry From Tarnishing
1. Avoid using Chemicals When Wearing Your Gold-Plated Jewelry
Make sure you remove your gold-plated jewelry when working with chemicals such as cleaning agents and beauty products. Even swimming in pools with too much chlorine can be damaging. Such chemicals can easily affect the gold layer and cause fading.
2. Avoid Water Exposure
Gold-plated jewelry can handle some occasional water exposure, however it is best to remove them before activities like washing your hands, showering, swimming or doing the dishes. Gold-plated jewelry tends to tarnish and fade when in too much contact with water.
3. Clean With Care
When it comes to cleaning your gold-plated jewelry, you need to be extra cautious. Make sure you gently use a soft cloth that is lint-free and slowly and gently wipe the surface of the piece to get rid of any dirt. Again, do not use any chemicals or cleaning agents with your jewelry; not even jewelry cleaners. We have a whole other post about how to clean your gold-plated jewelry which you can read here.
4. Avoid Heavy Physical Activities
If you are planning to get that workout done or do some chores, it is better for you to remove your gold-plated jewelry beforehand. That’s because there’s a good chance your piece is going to come in contact with other things or get caught up in your sweat which are important factors that contribute to fading and tarnishing.
5. Store With Care
When you’re not rocking your gold-plated jewelry, make sure you store it properly to keep it looking its best. The ideal spot is somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight or humid areas like bathrooms. Constant exposure to sunlight and moisture can speed up tarnishing and cause the gold layer to fade faster than you’d like. A simple fix? Keep your pieces in a jewelry box, a soft cloth pouch, or even an airtight bag. This not only protects them from scratches but also limits their contact with air, which can cause oxidation over time.
Conclusion
Keeping your gold-plated jewelry away from fading and tarnishing is not a hard task to achieve, especially if you buy yours from Delta Jewels since all our jewelry is of the highest quality there is. All it takes to keep them radiant is some subtle care, avoiding chemicals and removing them when doing physical activities.
