A piece of jewelry doesn't need to be real gold or diamond-studded to be your favorite—here's how to clean costume jewelry properly.
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Forget expensive engagement rings, rare diamonds, and shiny, 14-karat gold pieces for a second. Everyone has that favorite piece of costume jewelry found at a flea market, passed down by a family member, or given as a gift by a loving friend, and that bauble deserves just as much TLC as any real-deal gem. While they may not cost as much as a Cartier bracelet, they hold sentimental value and should still last you a long, long time.
Learning how to clean gold-plated jewelry is just as important as caring for solid gold jewelry, because it can tarnish easily, and its color could fade if the wrong cleaning solutions are applied. One option is to use a reliable jewelry cleaner to keep your collection sparkling. Also, a good silver polish that's formulated to work on a range of precious metals, like Silvo's Tarnish Guard, can be effective for cleaning gold jewelry.
"I've often heard that household items like baking soda or Coca-Cola do wonders on cleaning gold," says high-end jewelry designer Sheryl Lowe. "Unfortunately, I worry that those products could be too harsh or abrasive, especially if your gold has precious or delicate gemstones."
So, what should you do instead? Here's how to clean gold-plated jewelry the right way, so it will sparkle for years to come.
Not sure if your gold is real or fake? It's simple: Solid gold never tarnishes, while faux gold—or gold-plated metal—does. If your jewelry has started to discolor and tarnish, or if it turns your skin blue or green where it comes in contact, then it's not solid gold. If you're still not sure, take it to your local jewelry store for a little assistance in identifying what it's actually made of.
It's a good idea to wipe down your jewelry with a soft cloth after each use to remove any sweat, residue from lotions, and smudges. Follow the steps below for a deep-clean whenever your gold-plated jewelry shows signs of tarnish or after exposure to chlorine, such as after taking a dip in the pool. (Hint: It's best to remove jewelry before going for a swim.)
If your jewelry has precious or semi-precious stones in it, you're going to need to be a bit more careful. Avoiding soaking the jewelry and don't use water that's too warm, as both could loosen the glue that may be adhering the stones to the jewelry. Instead, use a soft cloth to wipe the pieces regularly. For a deep-clean, dampen a cotton swab in a solution of water and mild soap and use it to clear away any dirt or debris. Rinse and thoroughly dry the jewelry.
If a piece of costume jewelry is really precious to you, or you're just unsure what the material may be, Lowe suggests bringing it to a professional cleaner instead of making it a DIY project.
"To really get your gold and gemstones to sparkle, I often tell customers to have their pieces professionally checked and cleaned every six months to a year," she says. A pro will not only know the right way to clean your gold-plated jewelry, but they can also fix loose settings so you won't lose any gemstones. If the gold plating on your jewelry has worn away, it may also be possible to get the piece replated by a professional.
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