Gold jewelry is one of the most popular types, as gold has always been the standard for wealth, social status, and quality. Jewelry made from gold dates back further than most and is one of the most commonly passed-down jewelry types. Gold accessories, from watches to necklaces to rings and pendants, are found almost all over the world.
One of the most common questions at All In Faith is, "Does gold jewelry tarnish?" Gold in its purest form does not tarnish; however, gold used for jewelry is mixed with other metals, allowing some tarnish to develop. Let's look at what makes up gold jewelry and how to prevent or fix tarnished gold jewelry.
Does Gold Jewelry Tarnish?
Yes, it can. When gold jewelry tarnishes, the surface of the gold starts to corrode, causing a slight discoloration of the jewelry (usually a darker color). There are many speculations on whether real gold tarnishes or not, so we will explain exactly how gold jewelry tarnishes.
Gold is known for being one of the least reactive elements. In its pure form, gold keeps a natural shine and does not rust or tarnish because it doesn't combine with oxygen easily. It's rare to find pure gold jewelry because pure gold is very soft and can be challenging to work with. Pure gold must be alloyed with other metals to form more robust and durable jewelry. The metals that mix with the gold usually have properties that make it tarnishable. This is why gold jewelry tarnishes if not cared for.
If you are looking for gold jewelry less likely to tarnish, you will want to look for higher-karat gold. For example, 24-karat gold will not tarnish as it is pure gold. You will see more tarnishing in jewelry under 14 karats of gold. To play it safe, look for jewelry in the 14-18 karat range.
One of the biggest misconceptions about gold jewelry is that tarnishing indicates that the jewelry needs to be more authentic, which is untrue. The higher the karat of gold, the fewer alloy metals are mixed with the gold. This is why lesser karats tend to tarnish more. However, lesser karat gold jewelry tarnishes slower than sterling silver, another popular choice in jewelry. So, what exactly causes gold jewelry to tarnish, and what tends to speed up the process? Let's discuss it!
What Causes Gold To Tarnish?
Much like rust on a piece of metal, oxygen and sulfur contribute to gold tarnishing. When moisture mixes with oxygen and sulfur compounds in the metals combined with the gold, corrosion will occur on the surface, causing a tarnished look. Due to how your body works, some people may experience quicker tarnishing than others.
Suppose you constantly use cologne, perfume, hairspray, and detergents on parts of your body where your jewelry lies; you will also notice an increase in tarnishing. Acidic foods can also be a contributing factor. Food such as onions, spices, pickles, and lemons tarnish gold jewelry quickly.
How To Prevent Gold Jewelry From Tarnishing
When preventing your gold jewelry from tarnishing, you first want to avoid exposing it to constant contact with the abovementioned chemicals. Here are some other tips to keep your gold jewelry from tarnishing:
- Permanently remove your jewelry when washing your hands or showering. Soaps can leave a dull finish on your jewelry, making it harder to clean over time.
- Invest in a nice jewelry box that keeps all your jewelry separate to reduce the chances of pieces scratching against one another. Add a silica gel packet to help remove moisture from your jewelry box.
- Avoid allowing your jewelry to stay wet for long periods.
How To Treat Tarnished Gold Jewelry
So, what do you do when your gold jewelry starts to tarnish? If the jewelry only has a surface tarnish, you can use a few drops of mild, non-phosphate dish soap and warm water to help clean up the tarnish. You can do this with a cotton swab, towel, or fingers. While some may offer toothpaste or baking soda as a solution, these are pretty abrasive and can do more damage to your jewelry. Once cleaned, use a towel to dry your jewelry and let it air dry overnight. Using a cotton or jewelry polishing cloth, polish the jewelry to a nice shine.
If you cannot restore your jewelry to its original shine or feel uncomfortable cleaning it yourself, bring it to a professional jeweler such as All In Faith. Our experts can assess the gold jewelry and polish it back to perfection. A jeweler can also inform you on how to care for your specific piece accurately and offer cleaning tips to help you keep your gold jewelry looking new at all times.
Premium Gold Jewelry From All In Faith
If you are looking for premium gold jewelry for the sports fan, look no further than All In Faith. All In Faith offers a variety of sports and faith-inspired jewelry that allows you to elegantly show off your passion. If you would like to learn more about gold jewelry or see what options we have, feel free to give us a call or send us an email, and we will be happy to assist you.
