How to clean gold jewellery

A few well-chosen pieces of sparkling gold jewelry can elevate your outfit like nothing else, and with a little bit of TLC you'll be able to keep your jewels dazzling all year round. Lianna Sheppard, OB’s Buyer for Silver, Gemstone and Gold-Plated Jewelry, talks about how our gold jewelry pieces are made and how to look after them.

‘Our gold jewelry is coated in approximately 1 micron (layer) of 10k gold plate on a brass base,’ Lianna explains. ‘It’s durable and has all the outer beauty of solid gold, but it is more affordable, making it the perfect choice for on-trend pieces.’

The plated layer will inevitably wear away over time with day-to-day use so, where suitable, we add a protective e-coat on gold-plated designs, which will help preserve the color of the plating and extend the life of your gold earrings, hoops and necklaces.

How to prevent gold-plated jewelry from tarnishing

If worn every day, gold-plated jewelry will gradually start to show wear, particularly on highly-used areas such as the chain or back of a pendant or the backs of your earrings. This is a natural process. Find out more in our guide to preventing tarnishing.

Gold Plated Hoop Earrings

Green Onyx & Gold Plated Necklace

Sculptural Twist Loop Cuff Bangle

Keep your gold-plated jewelry sparkling

‘Gold-plated jewelry should be handled with care,’ advises Lianna, ‘as their gold plating can wear away over time. But a gentle buff with a soft, non-abrasive microfibre or lint-free cloth should be enough to restore the shine without scratching the surface. Keep it dry to avoid stripping the plating.’

Lianna recommends a good polish every three to six months to remove any dullness and keep your gold jewelry sparkling, especially with pieces you wear more often, such as gold-plated earrings and rings. ‘We don’t advise using chemicals, wipes or dip polishes, but you can carefully clean pieces with a soft toothbrush and warm soapy water if they need it, as long as you carefully pat them dry afterwards before storing them away.’

Take care handling earrings and intricate costume jewelry, especially around the posts and backs of earrings, as these areas can be softer and can mishapen more easily. If you clean earrings or chains with soapy water, leave detailed pieces and chains to air-dry before storing away, as moisture can get caught between the links and small design details.

If your jewelry contains gemstones, you’ll need to take more care when cleaning it. For more advice, including tips on how to clean silver jewelry, have a look at our jewelry care guide.

Mica Chevron Blue Jewelry Box

Store in style

‘Keeping your jewelry in its best condition starts with storage,’ says Lianna. ‘Store your gold jewelry in a clean, dry place, such as in a sealed plastic bag or a jewelry box, to avoid it getting scratched by other jewelry.’ All Oliver Bonas jewelry pieces come in a soft pouch that can be handy when travelling, or if you take several pieces away with you, keep them safe in one of our travel jewelry boxes. If you have long chains, jewellery stands are great for preventing knots and tangles.