How To Clean Gold Plated Jewelry: A Step by Step Guide

A BISOULOVELY piece is more than just an accessory. It is a memory you make and cherish forever. It is a reminder of how magical you are every time you look down at your wrist or catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. Jewelry can quickly become a piece of your spirit.

Because of this, we know how important it is to keep your favorite baubles in prime condition. There is nothing like a tarnished necklace to dull your shine. That is why we want to help you take care of your BISOULOVELY pieces, so you can stay sparkling forever.

Below, we are diving into gold-plated jewelry: Why we use it, why you will love it, and most importantly, how to keep it squeaky clean. If you want to keep your BISOULOVELY earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets looking as good as new, keep reading.

What Is Gold Plated Jewelry?

Gold-plated jewelry starts with a sterling silver base. Sterling silver is durable, lightweight, and good for all skin types, making it an easy option for everyday wear. Still, many of us love the ethereal beauty of gold jewelry. To maintain the wonderful benefits of sterling silver while providing the option for whimsical gold pieces, we cover our jewelry with a gold plating.

First, a thin layer of gold is applied to that sterling silver base. It is like a paint job – giving the metal a fresh, sunny finish. It’s an easy, more affordable way to get that gorgeous gold glimmer without the possibility of bending that comes alongside a soft solid gold piece. Over time, the plating can wear off, but it is easy to get your pieces replated and restore your favorite pieces’ luster.

Why Gold Plated?

Gold-plated jewelry has many benefits. For people with sensitive skin, gold-plated jewelry is less likely to cause irritation due to the sterling silver base. It is more affordable than fine jewelry pieces made out of solid gold but higher quality than fashion jewelry. Plus, it allows more lovely bisou babes to enjoy our whimsical pieces.

Whether you’re a BISOULOVELY babe or just have some gold plated pieces you want to keep looking radiant, keep reading! We’ve got you covered with some awesome tips and tricks.

How To Prevent Tarnishing in the First Place

Gold-plated jewelry will tarnish over time, but there are preventative measures you can take to prolong the life of your plated pieces. One wonderful aspect of plated pieces is that they can last for years with proper care, then be restored to their former glory when the time arrives — just like magic.

Wipe Them Down Daily

We all come in contact with all different products and chemicals throughout the day. Everything from water to lotion can dull the sparkle and shine of your favorite piece. Keep a small, absorbent microfiber cloth on hand to wipe your pieces down at the end of each day.

You can also buy a jewelry cleaning cloth, many of which are treated with a special jewelry cleaner to help your pieces maintain that otherworldly sparkle.

Store Properly

Most of us have a tendency to take off our jewelry and leave it strewn about. To keep your pieces pristine, they need a special home. A beautiful jewelry box is more than just a decorative organizational piece. It provides the perfect dark, dry environment to keep your jewelry sparkling.

Humidity, heat, and sunshine can all dull your pieces and speed up the tarnishing process. So, a dry and dark place is the perfect spot to store your treasures. If you do not have a jewelry box, no worries. You can use jewelry pouches or even Ziploc bags and store them in a cool drawer.

Follow the First Off, Last On Rule

Chemicals and water can all expedite the tarnishing process, so it is important to keep your jewelry clean and dry. If you’re showering, swimming, or doing an intense batch of dishes, it is a good idea to take your pieces off first. The same goes for when you’re putting on makeup, lotions, and perfumes.

Jewelry should be the first thing you take off before your nighttime routine and the last thing you put on when you’re getting ready

3 Easy Ways To Clean Your Gold Plated Jewelry

If your jewelry is dull, dark, or peeling – it’s time to get cleaning. Luckily, this process can be as easy as 1-2-3.

The Soap and Water Method

We love a DIY method. It’s easy, affordable, and helps you get things cleaned up in a pinch. This soap and water method is easy as can be.

To start, grab a small bowl and fill it with one cup of warm water. Mix in two to three drops of soap. You can use hand soap, dish soap, or dishwashing liquid. Just make sure you do not use antibacterial soap or anything too harsh, as plated jewelry can be sensitive.

Let your pieces soak in the solution for about 10 minutes. When that time is up, take the pieces out and give them a thorough dry. If there are pieces of dirt or grime stuck in any of the crevices of your jewelry, grab a cotton swab and gently move around to get the grime away. You can also use a toothpick or piece of unwaxed dental floss.

The Aluminum Foil and Baking Soda Method

Another easy, at-home solution that makes use of products you probably already own is the aluminum foil and baking soda method. It goes a little something like this:

Step 1: Line a bowl with aluminum foil.

Step 2: Fill the foil-lined bowl with one cup of boiling water and one tablespoon of baking soda. If this isn’t enough water to completely submerge the number of pieces you have, just add more hot water and more baking soda using the ratio mentioned above: one tablespoon of baking soda per every cup of water.

Step 3: Place your earrings, bracelets, necklaces, or any other plated pieces that need to get their sparkle back into the bowl. The pieces should be directly touching the aluminum foil. This is an important step because it creates a chemical reaction that cleans the jewelry.

Step 4: Let your gold-plated baubles sit and soak for five to ten minutes. The more tarnished the piece, the longer you can leave the pieces soaking in the bowl. This is where the science (and magic) happens! You will notice black and yellow flakes floating away from the jewelry. This is sulfur, which is what caused the oxidation and tarnishing. If you see this, it is a good thing — it means the process is working!

Step 5: Once you feel like your pieces are clean, take the jewelry out of the bowl. Dry everything thoroughly and rub with an absorbent, microfiber cloth.

Step 6: Embrace your baubles’ newfound sparkle and shine!

Okay, Time To Take It to the Jeweler

If you don’t have the resources, time, or energy to clean your pieces at home, don’t fret! You can always get your jewelry professionally cleaned. There are lots of benefits of doing this, too.

Professional cleaning is a wonderful way to ensure that your pieces are sparkling and spotless. Since jewelers are experts, you can trust that they’ll do a great job in restoring the luster of your favorite bauble and getting out embedded grime you may not have been able to reach yourself. Plus, you can feel good knowing your special jewels will be handled with attention and care.

But, My Piece Is Beyond Repair… What Do I Do?

If you feel like you cannot make your piece look good as new, there is another easy option: replating. After one to two years, it is totally normal for your pieces to look a bit worn down, especially if you wear them frequently. Getting your jewelry replated is essentially just giving them new life with a fresh coat of paint.

Most professional jewelers and jewelry stores can replate your pieces for you. They are just repeating the original plating process, so your pieces actually look as good as new. This is an affordable way to keep your pieces lasting longer, looking fresher, and getting more wear out of your favorite accessories. You can easily do some research to find a reputable place to get your jewelry replated in your area.

Glitter and Gold-Plated Goodness

Good as new? We thought so! We cannot wait to see you rocking your glittery, gold BISOULOVELY pieces. We hope this piece helps you make the most out of your jewelry collection because you deserve to stay sparkly.

Sources:

Gold Plating - An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics

The Facts on Silver | Dartmouth

What Does Gold Plated Mean? (Pros & Cons) | Something Borrowed PDX