Caring for Gold Jewelry: A Jeweler's Complete Guide (2025)

Is your gold jewelry losing its shine and looking outdated? Zdeněk Benc, a jeweler from the family-owned jewelry store Benc Klenoty (a tradition since 1928), will show you how to properly care for your gold jewelry so that it shines like new for generations. Find out professional tips for home care and when it's time to visit a professional.

Gold jewelry is a lifetime investment , but only with proper care will they retain their beauty and value. In more than twenty years of jewelry practice and working alongside my partner Šárka, a gemstone expert, in our family workshop I have seen thousands of pieces of jewelry - from those beautifully maintained to those that have almost been destroyed by neglect.

Proper care of gold jewelry is not a science, but it does require knowledge and regularity. In this guide, you will learn everything from basic cleaning at home to professional renovation, which we have been providing in our workshop in Vysočina since 1928.

📋 Article content:

  1. Basic care rules
  2. Cleaning by materials
  3. Home cleaning step by step
  4. Storage and protection
  5. Most common mistakes
  6. When to see a specialist
  7. Preventive care
  8. Renovation of old jewelry

⚡ Basic rules for caring for gold jewelry {#basic-rules}

Gold jewelry can last for generations with proper care, but mistreatment can damage it irreparably. Here are the basic principles I follow when caring for our customers' jewelry:

Rule #1: Less is more

Principle: Remove gold jewelry when engaging in activities that could damage it.

When to remove jewelry:

  • When cleaning - bleach and aggressive cleaning agents
  • In the gym - sweat and mechanical shocks
  • In the pool - chlorine damages gold
  • When gardening - dirt and mechanical damage
  • When cooking - greasy dirt and high temperatures

Rule #2: Dressing order

Correct sequence:

  1. First perfume, cream, makeup
  2. Wait 5 minutes for it to dry.
  3. Then put on the jewelry

Why: Cosmetics contain chemicals that can damage gold or stones.

Rule #3: Regularity

Basic cleaning: Once a week
Deep cleaning: Once a month
Professional service: Once a year

💡 Advice from a jeweler:

"In our workshop, I see jewelry that is 50+ years old and looks like new because the owners took proper care of it. But I also see a two-year-old ring that looks 20 years old because of neglect."

🏷️ Cleaning by materials {#cleaning-materials}

Each material requires a different approach. The same method that is safe for pure gold can damage a stone or plated piece of jewelry.

14K and 18K yellow gold

Characteristics: easy to clean

Safe methods:

  • Warm soapy water + soft brush
  • Ultrasonic cleaner (if it doesn't have stones)
  • Professional jewelry solutions

What to NEVER clean with:

  • Sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
  • Ammonia in pure form
  • Abrasive powders

White gold

Attention: White gold is often rhodium-plated (plated with rhodium)

Special care:

  • Only gentle methods - hard brushes will scratch the rhodium plating
  • Acid-free cleaners - acids dissolve rhodium
  • Professional renovation every 2-3 years (new rhodium plating)

Rose gold

Characteristics: Contains copper, more susceptible to oxidation

Specifics:

  • Never chlorine - it accelerates oxidation
  • Faster browning is normal
  • Regular polishing maintains the color

Gold with diamonds

Diamonds are hard, but they have their weaknesses:

Safe for diamonds:

  • All standard gold cleaning methods
  • Ultrasound - diamonds can do it
  • Steam cleaning - high temperatures don't matter

Watch out for:

  • Impacts - even a diamond can crack
  • Oily impurities - reduce shine

Gold with colored stones

Each stone has different requirements:

Sensitive stones (requiring only gentle cleaning):

  • Pearls - just a damp cloth
  • Opals - no water!
  • Emeralds - just warm water without chemicals
  • Turquoise - no detergents

Durable stones (can be cleaned like diamonds if they do not have significant inclusions):

  • Sapphires and rubies
  • Grenades
  • Quartzes (citrines, amethysts)

🧽 Home cleaning step by step {#home-cleaning}

Proper home cleaning can keep your jewelry looking beautiful between professional visits. Here is the procedure I recommend to my clients:

Basic weekly cleaning

What you will need:

  • A bowl of warm water
  • A drop of mild detergent (for dishes)
  • Soft toothbrush (e.g. for teeth)
  • Soft cloth (microfiber)

Procedure:

  1. Soak the jewelry in warm soapy water for 10-15 minutes
  2. Gently clean difficult areas with a brush
  3. Rinse with clean warm water.
  4. Dry with a soft cloth.
  5. Let air dry.

Monthly deep cleaning

For more stubborn dirt:

Method 1: Baking Soda

 1. Smíchat jedlou sodu s trochou vody na pastu
 2. Nanést měkkým kartáčkem
 3. Jemně drhnout 1-2 minuty
 4. Důkladně opláchnout
 5. Osušit a vyleštit

Method 2: Toothpaste

 1. Použít BÍLOU zubní pastu (bez granulí)
 2. Nanést na měkký kartáček
 3. Jemně vyčistit
 4. Velmi důkladně opláchnout
 5. Osušit

Polishing for extra shine

Home polishing:

  1. Soft cloth (microfiber or flannel)
  2. Gentle, circular movements
  3. Do not press - just light contact
  4. Replace the cloth as soon as it gets dirty.

💡 Pro tip:

"A toothbrush is the best tool for cleaning jewelry at home. But use only a soft and NEW one - the old one contains toothpaste residue with abrasive particles."

🏠 Storage and protection {#storage}

Proper storage is just as important as cleaning. Improperly stored jewelry will deteriorate faster and can damage each other.

Basic storage rules

Each piece of jewelry separately:

  • Individual compartments in the jewelry box
  • Soft bags for transport
  • Do not allow contact between jewelry

Why separately:

  • Gold is soft - harder materials scratch it
  • Stones can be damaged by impacting each other
  • The chains are getting tangled

Ideal environment

Temperature: Room temperature (18-22°C)
Humidity: 45-55% (normal home humidity)
Light: Protected from direct sunlight
Air: Ventilated, not a closed cabinet

Jewelry box vs. alternatives

Quality jewelry box: ✅ Velvet lining protects against scratches
✅ Compartments keep jewelry separate
✅ Closed - dust protection

Alternative solution:

  • Soft microfiber bags
  • Plastic ziplock bags (for travel)
  • Small bowls of cotton wool

What to NEVER do

❌ Throwing jewelry into one box
❌ Storage in a damp bathroom
❌ Plastic boxes without lining
❌ On heating or elsewhere with extreme temperatures

⚠️ Most common care mistakes {#mistakes}

In over twenty years of jewelry practice, I have seen these mistakes repeatedly. Some have caused irreversible damage:

Mistake #1: Harsh chemicals

What people do wrong:

  • Toilet cleaner for gold jewelry
  • Ammonia in pure form
  • Bleach "for whitening gold"

Why it's bad:

  • Damage to the gold surface
  • Disruption of the rock-holding slats
  • Loss of shine irreversibly

My experience: "Over the years of practice, I have seen dozens of pieces of jewelry damaged by improper home cleaning. The cost of renovations often exceeds the value of the piece of jewelry."

Error #2: Mechanical damage

Common mistakes:

  • Hard brushes on soft gold
  • Abrasive powders "for greater shine"
  • Ultrasound for fragile stones

Mistake #3: Poor storage

I often see:

  • All the jewelry in one box - scratching
  • Chains untied - knotting
  • Humid environment - oxidation

Mistake #4: Neglecting small problems

Ignoring:

  • Loose stones - they will fall out
  • Chain link wear

Consequence: A small problem becomes a big (expensive) repair.

👨🔧 When is it time to visit a jeweler {#when-a-professional}

Home care has its limits. Some situations require professional intervention by a jeweler.

Clear signals for a visit to a jeweler

Security issues:

  • Loose stone - may fall out
  • Cracks on a ring or earrings
  • Stretching a chain or link
  • Deformation after impact

Aesthetic problems:

  • Loss of shine despite cleaning
  • Scratches on smooth surfaces
  • Color change (browning, graying)
  • Clogged areas inaccessible at home

What to expect from professional service

In our workshop we provide:

Basic service:

  • Professional ultrasonic cleaning
  • Checking the fastening of all stones
  • Minor repairs (tightening of clamps)
  • Home care advice

Advanced service:

  • Rhodium plating of white gold
  • Re-sanding matte surfaces
  • Renovation of old jewelry
  • Ring size adjustments
  • Laser polishing for a perfect surface
  • Laser welding for precision repairs

Special services:

  • Stone replacement
  • Design modifications
  • Transforming old jewelry into new

How often for service

I recommend:

  • Everyday jewelry: 1x per year
  • Occasional jewelry: 1x every 2-3 years
  • Antique jewelry: 1x per year + in case of problems
  • After mechanical damage: Immediately

💡 Advice from a jeweler:

"A preventive visit to a jeweler once a year is always cheaper than dealing with problems when it's too late. Plus, professional cleaning will give your jewelry a shine you can't achieve at home."

🛡️ Preventive care {#prevention}

The best repair is the one you don't have to do. Preventative care will extend the life of your jewelry by decades.

Daily prevention

Pre-deployment routine:

  1. Check the fastening of the stones (shake gently)
  2. Wipe with a soft cloth.
  3. Check the fastening on the earrings
  4. Fixed clasp for necklaces

Routine after taking off:

  1. Wipe away sweat and dirt
  2. Check for visible damage
  3. Store in the correct place

Weekly prevention

Every Sunday:

  • Basic cleaning of all wearable jewelry
  • Jewelry box inspection - cleanliness, humidity
  • Treatment with a soft polishing cloth

Monthly prevention

Once a month:

  • Deep cleaning of frequently worn items
  • Checking the condition of all jewelry
  • Jewelry box reorganization
  • Photo documentation for insurance

Annual prevention

Once a year:

  • Professional service at a jeweler
  • Insurance reassessment
  • Documentation check (certificates, receipts)
  • Update care by condition

🔄 Renovation of old jewelry {#renovation}

Old jewelry doesn't mean jewelry to throw away. In our workshop, we regularly bring jewelry that is 50+ years old back to life.

What can be renovated?

Almost always:

  • Loss of gloss - re-grinding and polishing
  • Minor scratches - mechanical removal
  • Browning or discoloration
  • Dirty details - professional cleaning

Often:

  • Loose stones - new attachment
  • Deformation - reshaping to its original state
  • Buckle wear - production of a new part
  • Ring size expansion by 1-3 sizes
  • Stone regrinding - restoring shine and symmetry

Sometimes:

  • Cracks in the base material
  • Missing stones - subject to availability
  • Complete design overhaul

Renovation process

1. Analysis and assessment (30 minutes):

  • Diagnosing all problems
  • Solution proposal with price calculation
  • Completion timeline

2. Self-renovation (1-4 weeks):

  • Dismantling damaged parts
  • Cleaning or manufacturing new components
  • Assembly and inspection

3. Finalization:

  • Final polishing
  • Quality control
  • Documentation of modifications made

When is renovation worth it?

Yes, it is worth it:

  • Sentimental value of jewelry
  • High-quality base material (gold, quality stones)
  • Renovation costs < 50% of the value of the jewelry
  • Unique design or historical value

It might not be worth it:

  • Cheap materials
  • Extreme damage to the base material
  • Costs > 80% of the value of the new jewelry

💡 Advice from a jeweler:

"The most complex renovations usually involve a combination of several techniques - laser welding of cracks, re-grinding of worn surfaces and new stone attachment. But the result is worth it."

🎯 Conclusion: Your gold jewelry will shine forever

Proper care of gold jewelry is not complicated, but it does require knowledge and regularity. In more than twenty years of jewelry practice and working with gemstones together with Šárka, I know that well-maintained gold jewelry can last for generations and still look like new.

Your action plan:

  1. Establish a routine - weekly basic cleaning
  2. Invest in quality tools - soft brushes, microfiber cloths
  3. Learn to recognize problems - sooner rather than later
  4. Find a quality jeweler for professional service
  5. Document your jewelry - photos for insurance

What to remember:

  • Prevention is cheaper than repair
  • Home care has its limits
  • Each material requires a different approach
  • Regularity is the key to long-lasting beauty

💎 Do you need professional service?

Every piece of jewelry is unique and therefore requires an individual approach to care. If you want a professional assessment of the condition of your jewelry or need renovation, we are here to help.

As the owner of the family jewelry store Benc Klenoty with a tradition since 1928 and a jeweler with more than twenty years of experience, we have been providing complete jewelry care for decades. In our workshop in Nové Město na Moravě you can:

  • Professional cleaning and inspection of all your jewelry
  • Renovations and repairs using traditional and modern methods
  • Rhodium plating of white gold to restore its original shine
  • Preventive service for long-term beauty
  • Expert advice for home care based on your jewelry type

📞 Call 604 574 388 or visit our service center and let your jewelry shine like new.

Because beautiful jewelry deserves professional care. ✨

The article was written by Zdeněk Benc, a jeweler from Benc Klenoty - a family-owned jewelry store with a tradition since 1928. We specialize in professional care for gold jewelry, renovation and service of all types of jewelry. Our workshop in Nové Město na Moravě combines traditional craft techniques with modern jewelry care methods.

🏷️ Tags: gold jewelry care, jewelry cleaning, jewelry maintenance, jewelry renovation, jeweler Vysočina, jewelry service

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