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Do's and Don'ts of Cleaning Gold Jewellery

Q Report Team

Updated on March 17, 2025
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Gold jewellery has been a favourite around the world for thousands of years, and for good reason. Not only is gold lustrous and beautiful, but it’s also malleable enough to be made into intricate and interesting designs.

Today, gold jewellery is as popular as ever, and because it’s so common, myths abound about the best ways to clean it at home. Some soaps and chemical agents can actually damage gold, so we recommend a cautionary approach to cleaning your gold jewellery.

In this post, we’ll look at some of the dos and don'ts of cleaning gold jewellery. Remember that if you have questions about specific jewellery pieces, you can always ask your jeweller for recommendations and assistance. Before we get to some cleaning techniques, let’s learn a bit about gold’s characteristics and what makes it unique.

Gold’s Unique Characteristics

Like the other noble metals (ruthenium, osmium, rhodium, palladium, iridium, silver and platinum), gold resists corrosion from moisture as well as oxidation, which is one of the reasons it’s used in jewellery. It’s low-maintenance in that it doesn’t have to be constantly polished to retain its lustre.

In fact, when it’s properly cared for, gold will last indefinitely. Because it’s a soft metal, unlike some of the other noble metals mentioned above, it can also be melted down and reused. In most cases, people aren’t interested in melting down their gold jewellery; they want beautiful pieces that will last. Pure gold, however, is so soft that it’s easily scratched or damaged. This is why jewellers often use gold alloys to create jewellery.

Golden Alloys

By combining pure gold with another metal (silver, nickel, copper, tin, zinc, iron, cadmium, titanium or manganese), jewellers can offer beautiful gold pieces that are much stronger than pieces made of pure gold.

The addition of these other metals changes the colour of the gold. White gold usually contains nickel plus copper or tin. Manganese and platinum are also sometimes used in the creation of white gold. Yellow gold usually contains copper or silver. You may also see blue gold (iron), rose gold (copper) and green gold (silver, cadmium or zinc). The cleaning instructions below are suitable for gold jewellery containing any of these other metals.

Gold Overlays

Some pieces of jewellery have a layer of gold laid on top of another metal. These pieces can be cleaned using the same method prescribed below, but they should be handled with even more care. Gold overlays wear off over time, so it’s important to avoid any kind of abrasive cleaner or rough polishing.

Do’s and Don’ts of Cleaning Gold Jewellery

With a clearer understanding of the nature of gold jewellery, you’re ready to start your DIY cleaning. The following tips will help you to know what you can safely do at home and what you should avoid.

The Do’s

  • DO use warm, not hot, water for cleaning your gold.
  • DO mix a few drops of mild detergent with warm water and a couple of drops of ammonia.
  • DO allow your gold jewellery to soak in your cleaning solution for a few minutes to loosen up any dirt or grime.
  • DO use a soft baby toothbrush to remove any bacteria or dirt.
  • DO rinse your gold with clear water and dry it with a soft cloth.
  • DO consider how other elements of your jewellery will be affected by the cleaning. Some gemstones are especially susceptible to certain cleaners. Pearls, for instance, need to be cleaned with great care to avoid damage.

The Don’ts

  • DON’T use any kind of cleanser that includes chlorine in its ingredients. Chlorine can permanently damage and discolour gold. For this reason, it’s wise to remove any gold rings when you’re cleaning with chlorine-based cleaners.
  • DON’T use soap with any unknown ingredients. While mild dishwashing soap is fine to use on gold, some substances can have the same kind of effect as chlorine, so steer clear of unknown ingredients.
  • DON’T use any abrasive cleaners or paper-based cleaning towels. These products can scratch gold surfaces and wear down gold overlays.

If you have any questions about your gold jewellery or you need help with cleaning, get in touch with your Q Certified Jeweller. And if your gold jewellery is currently uninsured, get an instant online quote today.

Purchase Amount

To get an accurate insurance quote, please provide the amount from your purchase receipt.

Don't have the receipt?

If you don't have the receipt, you can provide the most recent valuation amount instead.

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Gold jewellery has been a favourite around the world for thousands of years, and for good reason. Not only is gold lustrous and beautiful, but it’s also malleable enough to be made into intricate and interesting designs.

Today, gold jewellery is as popular as ever, and because it’s so common, myths abound about the best ways to clean it at home. Some soaps and chemical agents can actually damage gold, so we recommend a cautionary approach to cleaning your gold jewellery.

In this post, we’ll look at some of the dos and don'ts of cleaning gold jewellery. Remember that if you have questions about specific jewellery pieces, you can always ask your jeweller for recommendations and assistance. Before we get to some cleaning techniques, let’s learn a bit about gold’s characteristics and what makes it unique.

Gold’s Unique Characteristics

Like the other noble metals (ruthenium, osmium, rhodium, palladium, iridium, silver and platinum), gold resists corrosion from moisture as well as oxidation, which is one of the reasons it’s used in jewellery. It’s low-maintenance in that it doesn’t have to be constantly polished to retain its lustre.

In fact, when it’s properly cared for, gold will last indefinitely. Because it’s a soft metal, unlike some of the other noble metals mentioned above, it can also be melted down and reused. In most cases, people aren’t interested in melting down their gold jewellery; they want beautiful pieces that will last. Pure gold, however, is so soft that it’s easily scratched or damaged. This is why jewellers often use gold alloys to create jewellery.

Golden Alloys

By combining pure gold with another metal (silver, nickel, copper, tin, zinc, iron, cadmium, titanium or manganese), jewellers can offer beautiful gold pieces that are much stronger than pieces made of pure gold.

The addition of these other metals changes the colour of the gold. White gold usually contains nickel plus copper or tin. Manganese and platinum are also sometimes used in the creation of white gold. Yellow gold usually contains copper or silver. You may also see blue gold (iron), rose gold (copper) and green gold (silver, cadmium or zinc). The cleaning instructions below are suitable for gold jewellery containing any of these other metals.

Gold Overlays

Some pieces of jewellery have a layer of gold laid on top of another metal. These pieces can be cleaned using the same method prescribed below, but they should be handled with even more care. Gold overlays wear off over time, so it’s important to avoid any kind of abrasive cleaner or rough polishing.

Do’s and Don’ts of Cleaning Gold Jewellery

With a clearer understanding of the nature of gold jewellery, you’re ready to start your DIY cleaning. The following tips will help you to know what you can safely do at home and what you should avoid.

The Do’s

  • DO use warm, not hot, water for cleaning your gold.
  • DO mix a few drops of mild detergent with warm water and a couple of drops of ammonia.
  • DO allow your gold jewellery to soak in your cleaning solution for a few minutes to loosen up any dirt or grime.
  • DO use a soft baby toothbrush to remove any bacteria or dirt.
  • DO rinse your gold with clear water and dry it with a soft cloth.
  • DO consider how other elements of your jewellery will be affected by the cleaning. Some gemstones are especially susceptible to certain cleaners. Pearls, for instance, need to be cleaned with great care to avoid damage.

The Don’ts

  • DON’T use any kind of cleanser that includes chlorine in its ingredients. Chlorine can permanently damage and discolour gold. For this reason, it’s wise to remove any gold rings when you’re cleaning with chlorine-based cleaners.
  • DON’T use soap with any unknown ingredients. While mild dishwashing soap is fine to use on gold, some substances can have the same kind of effect as chlorine, so steer clear of unknown ingredients.
  • DON’T use any abrasive cleaners or paper-based cleaning towels. These products can scratch gold surfaces and wear down gold overlays.

If you have any questions about your gold jewellery or you need help with cleaning, get in touch with your Q Certified Jeweller. And if your gold jewellery is currently uninsured, get an instant online quote today.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Understanding the 4 Cs of Diamonds
Diamond Shapes
Choosing a Ring Style
Selecting a Ring Retailer

Understanding Mechanical Movements

Rolex-super-precision

Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.

Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.

Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.

The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.

Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come

Luxury Watch Complications: Exploring Hidden Features & Functionality

Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.

Statistic Heading

Rolex-super-precision

Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.

Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.

Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.

The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.

Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Common Diamond Alternatives
for Engagement Rings

Tanzanite

Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.

Aquamarine

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Sapphire

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Luxury Watch Complications: Exploring Hidden Features & Functionality

Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

“Knowing your engagement ring is insured brings peace of mind. Accidents can happen, and insurance coverage alleviates the worry and stress of potential loss or damage.”

Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.

Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.

Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.

The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.

Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come

Export
Expert Tip

Budget Considerations

Diamond shapes can vary in price due to popularity and demand. Round brilliants, for example, tend to be more expensive than other shapes due to their high demand. If budget is a concern, consider alternative shapes or prioritise other aspects, such as cut quality, over the shape itself.

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Amet minim mollit non deserunt ullamco est sit aliqua dolor do amet sint. Velit officia consequat duis enim velit mollit. Exercitation veniam consequat sunt nostrud amet.

Amet minim mollit non deserunt ullamco est sit aliqua dolor do amet sint. Velit officia consequat duis enim velit mollit. Exercitation veniam consequat sunt nostrud amet.

Jewellery Insurance FAQ

Contents insurance covers the items within your home in case they are damaged, lost or stolen. This can include furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal.  Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.

Contents insurance covers the items within your home in case they are damaged, lost or stolen. This can include furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal.  Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.
Home Security Fortification

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.

Travel Savvy

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.

Social Media Caution

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.

Regular Valuations

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.

An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.

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Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.

Luxury Watch Complications: Exploring Hidden Features & Functionality

Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.

Home Security Fortification

Contents insurance covers the items within your home in case they are damaged, lost or stolen. This can include furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal.  Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.

Purchase Amount

To get an accurate insurance quote, please provide the amount from your purchase receipt.

Don't have the receipt?

If you don't have the receipt, you can provide the most recent valuation amount instead.

OK

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