how to clean white gold

Understanding White Gold

White gold is an alloy of gold and white metals like silver, palladium, or nickel. It is often plated with rhodium to enhance its white luster. Over time, this rhodium plating can wear off, revealing the slightly yellowish tone of the white gold beneath, and the jewelry may lose some of its shine or color. Cleaning your white gold jewelry is essential for maintaining its sparkling appearance.

Cleaning White Gold Jewelry at Home

Cleaning white gold jewelry at home is a straightforward process. You’ll need some basic supplies such as a gentle dish soap, warm water, a bowl, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and a lint-free cloth.

Gather Your Supplies

• Mild dish soap
• Warm water
• Bowl or container
• Soft-bristled toothbrush (a children’s toothbrush works well)
• Lint-free cloth or microfiber towel
• Optional: Ammonia for occasional deep cleaning

Steps to Clean White Gold

1. Prepare a Cleaning Solution: Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water in a bowl. Make sure the water isn’t too hot as extreme temperatures can damage some gemstones, especially those that are glued into settings.

2. Soak the Jewelry: Place your white gold jewelry in the soapy water and let it soak for 20-30 minutes. This will loosen any built-up grime and dirt.

3. Gently Scrub: After soaking, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the jewelry. Reach into the nooks and crevices where dirt might be hiding, but be gentle to avoid scratching the metal or loosening gemstones.

4. Rinse Thoroughly: Once you’ve scrubbed the jewelry, rinse it under lukewarm running water to remove soap residue. Ensure that the sink drain is closed, or better yet, rinse the jewelry over a bowl.

5. Dry and Polish: Use a lint-free cloth to pat the jewelry dry. Then, use a clean part of the cloth or a separate microfiber towel to gently buff and polish the piece, restoring its shine.

Optional Deep Cleaning Step

1. If your white gold jewelry is very dirty or hasn’t been cleaned in a long time, you may consider an occasional deep clean. Mix one part ammonia to six parts water and soak the piece for no more than a minute. Do not use this on jewelry with pearls or other delicate stones, as ammonia can damage them.

2. Rinse and follow the same drying and polishing steps as above.

Professional Cleaning

If your white gold jewelry needs more than a simple cleaning or if it’s set with precious stones, it is usually best to have it cleaned professionally. Jewelers have specialized equipment and solutions that can clean and polish your jewelry without damaging it. Additionally, a professional can check for any damage or loose settings that may need repair.

Maintenance Tips

• Avoid exposure to chemicals, such as chlorine and harsh cleaning products, which can damage white gold.
• Remove white gold jewelry before swimming, exercising, or engaging in other activities that may cause it to come into contact with sweat or hard surfaces.
• Store your white gold jewelry in a jewelry box or pouch to prevent scratching and tarnishing.

By following these steps and tips, your white gold jewelry should remain beautiful and lustrous for years to come.