5 tips for cleaning gold jewelry

#1. Gentle soap bath

One of the easiest ways to clean your gold jewelry is to soak it in a bath of lukewarm water with a few drops of mild soap, such as liquid hand soap. Let them soak for 15 to 20 minutes to dissolve dirt and oils. Then use a soft toothbrush to gently clean the nooks and crannies, rinse with clean water, and dry with a soft cloth.

#2. Baking soda and water

For more intensive cleaning, you can create a paste by mixing baking soda with a little water. Apply this paste to your gold jewelry with a soft toothbrush, scrub gently, then rinse with lukewarm water. Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive, removing residues without scratching the gold.

#3. White vinegar

White vinegar is an excellent natural cleaner for gold. Soak your jewelry in a bowl of white vinegar for 15 to 20 minutes. After soaking, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush to remove impurities, then rinse with lukewarm water and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

#4. Boiling water

Boiling water is an effective method for removing wax or grease deposits from gold jewelry. Place your jewelry in a heat-resistant bowl, then pour boiling water over it. Leave to soak until the water has cooled. This technique dissolves impurities without the need for chemicals.

#5. Toothpaste

Non-abrasive white toothpaste can be used to clean gold jewelry. Apply a small amount to a soft toothbrush and gently scrub your jewelry. The toothpaste removes dirt while restoring the gold's shine. Rinse well with lukewarm water and dry with a soft cloth.

Proper care for different types of jewelry

Cleaning gold rings

Cleaning your gold rings requires special attention, especially because of the details often present on these jewels, such as stones or engravings. Materials required:

• a solution of warm water and mild soap
• a soft-bristled toothbrush
• a soft, lint-free cloth

To begin, prepare a solution of lukewarm water mixed with a few drops of mild soap. Soak your ring in this solution for 15 to 20 minutes to soften dirt residues. Next, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub around the ring, paying particular attention to the nooks and crannies where dirt can collect. Then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove any soap residue. Finally, dry the ring with a soft, lint-free cloth to restore its shine. To maintain its brilliance, store separately in a cloth-lined case to avoid scratches.

Caring for your gold earrings

Maintaining your gold earrings is crucial to preserving their shine and brilliance over time. To do this, you'll also need a few essential products:

• a solution of warm water and mild soap
• a soft-bristled toothbrush
• a soft, lint-free cloth

First, soak your earrings in the solution for about 15 minutes. Then use the toothbrush to gently clean all surfaces and remove any residual dirt. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and dry carefully with the soft cloth. To avoid scratches and tarnish, store your earrings separately in fabric pouches or individual compartments, and avoid contact with aggressive chemicals or abrasive surfaces.

Precautions for gold necklaces

To clean a gold necklace, start by preparing a solution by mixing lukewarm water with a few drops of mild soap, such as dishwashing soap. Gently immerse the necklace in this solution and leave it to soak for around 10 to 15 minutes to dissolve dirt and residues. Then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the collar, paying particular attention to hard-to-reach areas. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove any soap residue, then dry gently with a soft, clean cloth to restore its shine.

To find out whether your jewelry is solid gold or gold-plated, start by checking the hallmarks engraved on the jewelry:

• Solid gold jewelry generally bears a hallmark indicating the purity of the gold, such as "750" for 18-carat or "375" for 9-carat.

• Gold-plated jewelry, on the other hand, may bear markings such as "GP" (Gold Plated) or "HGE" (Heavy Gold Electroplate).

You can also observe the color of the metal: solid gold retains a uniform hue, while gold-plated may show signs of wear revealing a different metal underneath.

If in doubt, have your jewel tested by a professional, who can use techniques such as acid testing or electronic testing to determine its composition.

Cleaning gold-plated jewelry

To clean gold-plated jewelry, start by preparing a mild solution by mixing lukewarm water with a little non-aggressive liquid soap. Immerse the jewelry in this solution for a few minutes to dislodge any impurities. Then gently scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush or soft cloth, taking care not to exert too much pressure to avoid damaging the plating. Rinse with lukewarm water to remove any soap residue, then dry with a soft cloth, dabbing rather than rubbing, to preserve their shine and finish.

Bonus: to learn how to tell the difference between gold and gold plating, don't miss our guide to the different materials used in jewelry.