Solid gold is forgiving. A few habits will keep a piece looking the way it did when it arrived.
Everyday cleaning
Warm water, a drop of plain washing-up liquid, and a soft toothbrush. Brush gently behind the stone — that is where film builds up and where most of the lost sparkle actually goes. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
Do this every few weeks for a ring worn daily. It takes two minutes and does more for brilliance than anything else.
What to keep it away from
- Chlorine. Swimming pools and hot tubs. Chlorine attacks the alloys in gold over time and can weaken a setting.
- Household cleaners. Bleach and ammonia-based products. Take rings off before cleaning.
- Impact. Gym weights, gardening, moving furniture. Gold is soft; a knock can bend a band or shift a stone.
- Lotions and hairspray. They dull the surface and build up under stones. Jewellery on last, off first.
Specific stones
Diamonds and moissanite are hard and handle everyday cleaning well.
Emeralds are more fragile than their reputation suggests and are often oiled; never use an ultrasonic cleaner on them, and avoid prolonged soaking.
Pearls and opals are porous and soft. Wipe with a damp cloth only — no detergent, no soaking, no ultrasonic. Store them away from harder stones that will scratch them.
Turquoise and moonstone likewise: damp cloth, nothing stronger.
Storing
Separately, ideally in soft pouches. Gold scratches gold, and a diamond will scratch anything it is thrown in a box with.
Professional checks
If you wear a ring with set stones every day, have the settings checked once a year. A prong that has worn thin is cheap to fix and expensive to ignore.
Questions about a specific piece: contact@thekaratstore.com.