Jewelry Care

Unlike its solid gold sister however, gold-plated jewelry needs to be handled with care. Follow these 6 golden rules to ensure that your inexpensive pieces will continue to look like a million bucks.

6 GOLDEN RULES IN HANDLING GOLD-PLATED JEWELRY

Rule 1: Last on, first off:

Last on: Put your gold-plated jewelry on last, after make-up, perfume, hairspray and other corrosive chemical substances. If you wear lotion, wait until it is fully absorbed before you wear your plated items. First off: Take them off first before going to bed. Extra rubbing during the night and night sweat can quickly cause the gold layer to wear off.

Rule 2: Avoid corrosive liquid

Soap, oil, nail polish, polish remover, perfume, detergents and the likes may react with metal or plated jewelry and will cause them to tarnish easily. The same goes with sweat. Depending on one’s diet, it’s not uncommon for the chemicals in your sweat to cause plated jewelry to tarnish and discolor. Make sure you remove your gold plated jewelry when you exercise or do anything else which may make you sweaty. Do not wear them while showering, or in a pool/hot tub or a sauna or steam room. It is also a good idea to take your gold-plated jewellery off before cooking if you can because of the acidity of certain fruits and vegetables.

Rule 3: Avoid abrasive surface

Avoid rubbing gold plated bracelets in the sand when you go to the beach. Store pieces separately so that they won’t rub against one another. Try not to get plated rings scraped against counter tops or rubbed against car keys in pockets and purses.

Rule 4: Store separately.

After wearing, wrap each piece in a soft cloth or tissue paper, then place them separately in cloth pouches, small boxes or individual plastic bags to avoid scratches. Avoid extreme temperature and sunlight; do not store jewelry next to heating vents, window sills, or in the car.

Rule 5: Clean correctly

To clean, gently wipe off any dirt or blemishes with a slightly damp, soft piece of cotton cloth and dry with a clean towel. Stay away from jewelry cleaners or soap – they might have corrosive components that damage the gold-plating.

Rule 6: Not all gold-plated jewelry is created equal

Gold-plated rings will wear off the fastest, especially if you wear them everyday because they rub constantly against your skin and come into contact with the chemicals you use. If your hands sweat a lot, the gold will wear off even more quickly. Gold-plated bracelets will last longer. Plated necklaces and earrings can last very long if you take good care of them. Consider all these factors before you commit to buying.