Gold-plated jewelry captures the light and beautifies with a warm glow.
These little treasures require special care to keep their luster intact over time. That’s why adopting habits that protect them from everyday activities is just as important as cleaning them properly. At VIDAL & VIDAL, we offer some tips to ensure your gold-plated jewelry continues to be part of your most cherished moments.
Daily care tips for gold-plated jewelry
During daily activities, we may unknowingly alter the original beauty of gold-plated jewelry. To avoid this, it’s essential to be mindful of small details that make a big difference:
- Prevent contact with chemicals: perfumes, creams, or cleaning products alter the natural state of gold. Remember to apply them before putting on your jewelry, or remove your pieces when using them.
- Put them on clean, dry skin: avoid showering or washing hands while wearing jewelry. It’s best to wear them when there’s no residual moisture on the skin.
- Clean regularly: remove impurities daily and perform a deep clean from time to time to enhance the natural shine of the gold plating.
- Store carefully: when not in use, jewelry should be kept in a dry place, away from sunlight, and protected to avoid scratches.
- Minimize friction: take them off for exercise or cooking, as sweat and some culinary ingredients are highly corrosive.
What not to do when caring for gold-plated jewelry
- Avoid using a “special silver cloth” or “special gold cloth,” since our pieces are coated with a protective layer and the chemicals in those cloths would damage it, compromising the plating’s protection.
- We do not recommend the use of any chemicals or baking soda to clean our pieces.
Care for gold-plated earrings
Earrings remain in contact with skin and certain personal-care products for long periods, so they require special attention. The best practice is to wipe them with a soft cloth after each use, paying special attention to hooks and backs.
Care for gold-plated rings
It’s undeniable that gold-plated rings are the pieces most exposed to potential damage throughout the day, since we use our hands constantly.
To keep their splendor longer, use warm water and soap to remove the day’s accumulated dirt. Also, don’t forget to take them off during activities that could damage them—such as swimming, washing hands, or anything that could cause friction.
Care for gold-plated bracelets and necklaces
The gold plating on bracelets and necklaces can wear down due to frequent contact with different surfaces. To protect them, try to avoid snagging and pulls, remove dirt before storing, and keep them hanging or laid flat.
How to deep clean gold-plated jewelry
In addition to daily care, gold-plated jewelry needs a thorough cleaning from time to time, which varies depending on how often you wear it and the substances and activities it’s exposed to. Our cleaning procedure to preserve its brightness includes the following steps:
- Add a small amount of mild detergent to warm water.
- Soak the gold-plated jewelry in the solution for 15 minutes.
- Use a fine, soft-bristle brush to remove embedded dirt, paying special attention to less visible areas.
- Rinse the jewelry with warm water until there’s no soap residue.
- Dry with a delicate, lint-free cloth.
The best way to make it seem like time doesn’t pass for your gold-plated jewelry is to follow these tips from day one.
That’s why it’s important to get used to protecting them daily. However, you still have time for your jewelry to regain its shine after a deep clean. If you’d like to check the condition of your pieces, our VIDAL & VIDAL stores can evaluate the state of the gold plating, as well as the clasps or settings, and provide specific recommendations for proper maintenance of your pieces.
