How to Clean a Gold Necklace

After a long time of use, gold jewelry can become tarnished and scratched. Like any type of accessory, wear and tear are normal when something is worn day in and day out. At Adina Eden’s Jewels, we value quality over everything. But once those jewelry pieces are in your possession, you’ll want to keep them looking good as new for many years down the line! With the right cleaning methods, your gold jewelry will be well taken care of.

Pure gold jewelry has a shiny luster quality because it doesn’t combine with oxygen easily. Since gold has always been considered to be the standard of wealth, its shiny element makes it look glamorous and opulent. On its own, pure gold is very soft and doesn’t have the strength and durability to be formed into jewelry. Pure Gold is typically combined with other metals like copper, silver, and zinc to make it stronger so it can be used as a piece of jewelry.

When you wear a gold necklace or another piece of jewelry every day, you’ll want it to withstand the test of time. Pure gold on its own does not tarnish or rust, but since most gold is combined with other metals, it will need maintenance. Anything that is 10K (meaning 10 out 24 parts are pure gold) or above, is considered solid gold.

Instead of going to a professional jeweler, you can clean your pieces at home in a few steps. Ahead, we’ll show you how to clean your favorite gold necklace.

What You’ll Need

Some people clean their jewelry every few weeks while others wait months or even years to get the job done. The more often you clean your gold, the better.

Before you get started, you’ll need the following household items.

• Toothbrush
• Soft Cloth
• Baking Soda
• Dish Soap
• Warm Water
• Small bowl

Taking Care of Your Gold

It’s equally important to take care of your jewelry as it is to clean it. The better you take care of your gold necklaces, the less maintenance you’ll have to do over the years.

Use Mild Cleaners:

Scrubbing your gold jewelry with harsh chemicals can tarnish them. Instead, soak your jewelry with warm water and dish soap. Use a soft brush to wipe away any debris. 

Store Fine Jewelry in a Clean, Dry Space

Prevent scratching and tarnishing by storing your gold jewelry in a safe, fabric-lined jewelry box. Keep it away from any chemicals, liquids, or pieces of jewelry that can tangle them.

Clean Gold Jewelry Professionally: If you're afraid of handling your pieces with care and want the crème de la crème of cleaning services, then you may want to send your pieces off to a professional jeweler.

The Cleaning Method

Step 1: Mix

Fill up a small bowl with warm water and add dish soap, baking soda, or another type of cleaning solution. Make sure not to use any harsh lotions.

Alternative: Use an ultrasonic cleaner, which is basically like a tiny dishwashing machine for your jewelry. You can use a strainer to dip your necklace into the jewelry cleaner, too.

Step 2: Soak

Place your gold necklace into the soapy water and let it soak for about 10 minutes.

Step 3: Scrub

Take a soft-bristle toothbrush and scrub your necklace for any grime between the crevices and hard-to-reach parts.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

Rinse your necklace under running water and dry it gently with a towel or let it air dry.

If your gold chain necklace has any special elements like a pendant or gemstone, you can use the same cleaning method. This also applies to white gold, rose gold, and silver jewelry.

How do you clean a gold necklace at home?

In short, you’ll need to fill up a bowl with warm water and a cleaning solution like dish soap. Soak your necklace for 10-15 minutes and then rinse it under water before drying it with a towel. Use a toothbrush to scrub the crevices and in-between parts.

How can I make my gold necklace shiny again?

Soak your gold necklace in hot water, salt, and baking soda for 10-15 minutes. Use a soft cloth or toothbrush to rub off any tarnish. Rinse under warm water and wipe it down with a cloth.

Can you use vinegar to clean gold jewelry?

You can use white vinegar instead of dish soap or baking soda to clean your gold jewelry. Place your jewelry in the jar of vinegar for 10 minutes before removing it. If there’s debris or tarnish, you can scrub with a toothbrush before rinsing and drying it.

As you can see, there are many ways to clean gold jewelry depending on the effect you’re going for. Use dish soap or vinegar for a regular cleaning, and baking soda to achieve an extra shiny look.