Caring for gold jewellery: keeping its shine day after day

Gold jewellery has the rare power to light up a face, a hand, a wrist. For that glow to last, it asks for a little attention, nothing complicated: a few simple habits, repeated every day, make all the difference. Here is how to care for gold jewellery so that it keeps its shine for as long as possible.

Why does gold jewellery need special care?

On gold-tone jewellery that is not solid gold, the gold colour is a finish applied to a base metal. At Éclat d'océan, that metal is stainless steel, sturdy and well suited to everyday jewellery, as we explain in our article on the advantages of stainless steel. As a general rule, a gold finish is more sensitive to repeated friction and chemicals than the metal it covers.

On our pieces, this finish surrounds a fragment of sea glass picked up by hand and never recut: every piece is unique, which is one more reason to look after it. The glass itself asks for almost nothing; it is the gold setting that deserves most of the attention. The good news: most causes of wear are easy to avoid. You simply need to know them.

What dulls gold jewellery

• perfume, hairspray and deodorant, whose alcohol and ingredients attack the finish;
• creams, oils and sun cream, which leave a dull film;
• household products, pool chlorine and sea water;
• perspiration, especially during sport;
• friction: against a desk, a bag, another ring, or jumbled in a drawer.

Everyday habits for caring for gold jewellery

Last on, first off

This is the golden rule: put your jewellery on last, once your perfume is sprayed, your make-up done and your cream absorbed. In the evening, take it off first, before removing your make-up or washing your hands. This simple order spares it most of the products that dull it.

Take it off for certain activities

Sport, gardening, housework, washing up, swimming and sleeping are all moments when jewellery suffers friction, knocks or products. Taking it off for a few hours preserves its shine for much longer. Keep a small dish by the sink or the bedside table so you never leave it just anywhere.

Wipe it after wearing

A pass of a soft, dry cloth, without pressing, is enough to remove perspiration and fingerprints. If the piece has been in contact with water, wipe it gently and let it air dry completely before putting it away.

Alternate your jewellery

Wearing the same gold piece every day, without a break, speeds up its wear. Alternating two or three favourite pieces gives each one time to rest, and refreshes your look along the way.

What is best avoided

Some cleaning tips are widely shared, but they are designed for solid gold or silver, not for a gold finish. Better to do without:

• toothpaste, bicarbonate of soda and any abrasive paste, which may scratch the surface;
• impregnated polishing cloths intended for silver;
• shop-bought jewellery cleaners whose composition you do not know;
• hard brushes and vigorous rubbing.

When in doubt, a soft, dry cloth remains your best ally.

Storing gold jewellery to preserve it

Storage matters as much as wear. Keep each gold piece in a compartment or a soft pouch, apart from other pieces, and away from damp: avoid the bathroom. The gift box every order is delivered in makes an ideal home for it. When travelling, slip it into its pouch rather than a wash bag, where it would mix with bottles and tubes. All our advice is gathered in our article on storing your jewellery.

A few gold designs from the shop that deserve these small attentions: the Snapper Rocks ring, gold with its leaf motif, the gold Corallia pendant with its coral branch, or the Nerea earrings, in gold-tone steel with green sea glass and a starfish.

Frequently asked questions

Can gold jewellery be worn every day?

Yes, provided you follow a few simple habits: put it on after perfume and cream, take it off for sport, at night and for swimming, wipe it with a soft cloth and store it separately. Alternating with another piece also helps preserve its shine. Well-treated jewellery will accompany your daily life for a long time.

How do I clean gold jewellery with sea glass?

Gently wipe the setting and the glass with a soft, dry cloth, without rubbing hard. Avoid any abrasive or household product. The sea glass itself is robust, but the gold finish around it deserves gentleness. Our guide to caring for stainless steel and sea glass completes this advice.

Can I swim with gold jewellery?

It is best avoided. Pool chlorine, salt, sand and sun cream are particularly demanding for a gold finish. Take your jewellery off before going into the water and keep it in a closed pouch. Our article on swimming with your jewellery details the right reflexes, at the beach as at the pool.

Gold or silver: which needs the least care?

As a general rule, a gold finish calls for a few more precautions, but it remains perfectly suited to everyday wear with the habits described above. The most important thing is to choose the finish that suits you: our guide to choosing gold or silver jewellery can help. All our pieces are waiting in our shop.