Picking out a new gold piece is the fun part. Keeping it looking like the day it arrived takes a little more thought, and the right care depends on what kind of gold you have. Solid gold, gold filled, gold vermeil and gold plated jewelry all look similar on day one, but they do not age the same way. Here is how we care for each one, and what we recommend to our customers.
First, know what you are wearing
Every product page on our site lists the metal, and it is worth checking before you decide how to clean or store a piece. Here is a quick guide to what we use:
- 14k solid gold is gold all the way through. It does not tarnish or wear off.
- Gold filled has a thick layer of gold bonded to a base metal core. Most of our chains are gold filled. It holds up well and does not tarnish easily.
- Gold vermeil is a sterling silver base with a thick layer of gold on top.
- Gold plated has a thin layer of gold over a base metal. Some of our pendants and earrings are gold plated. Plating looks beautiful, but it can fade with wear over time.
If you want the longer version, we wrote a whole post on gold filled vs gold vermeil vs gold plated.
Everyday care for all gold jewelry
- Put your jewelry on last. Lotion, perfume, hairspray, sunscreen and makeup all leave a film on metal, and some of them wear down gold layers faster. Give them a few minutes to dry before your jewelry goes on.
- Take it off for chores and workouts. Household cleaners, bleach and chlorine are hard on every kind of gold. Heavy lifting and sports can also dent or scratch your pieces.
- Wipe it down before you put it away. A quick pass with a soft cloth removes sweat and skin oils so they do not sit on the metal overnight.
Water: solid gold vs everything else
This is where the types really differ. 14k solid gold is safe in water. You can shower in it and wash your hands in it without worrying. We would still take it off before a chlorinated pool or a hot tub, mostly to protect any stones and settings.
Gold filled, gold vermeil and gold plated pieces will last longer if you keep them away from water, lotion and perfume. A splash while washing your hands will not ruin anything, but showering, swimming and sleeping in these pieces every day will dull them sooner, and with plated jewelry it can wear the gold layer down. Taking them off at night and before the shower is the single best thing you can do.
How to clean gold jewelry
For solid gold and gold filled: add a few drops of mild dish soap to a bowl of lukewarm water. Let the piece soak for a few minutes, then gently clean it with a very soft brush. A baby toothbrush is perfect. Rinse in clean lukewarm water, then pat it dry and buff it with a soft, lint-free cloth. Make sure it is completely dry before you store it. Skip paper towels, which can leave fine scratches.
For gold vermeil and gold plated: be gentler. Wipe the piece with a soft, damp cloth, then dry it right away. Do not soak it, scrub it, or use a polishing cloth that has cleaner built into it, since that can rub the gold layer away.
For pieces with pearls, glass or stones: do not soak them. Pearls in particular do not like water or chemicals. Wipe the metal around them with a damp cloth and let them air dry. This includes our wire-wrapped pearl earrings and Czech glass pieces, which are wrapped by hand.
Avoid toothpaste, baking soda, vinegar and jewelry dips. They are too harsh for most gold jewelry.
How to store gold jewelry
Store each piece on its own so it does not scratch against other jewelry or tangle. A fabric-lined jewelry box with small compartments is ideal. If you do not have one, a small zip bag or a soft pouch for each piece works well, and keeping the air out also slows down dulling. The kind of cloth you use for glasses is great for wrapping pieces too.
Keep your jewelry out of the bathroom if you can. Warmth and humidity are not kind to gold filled, vermeil or plated finishes. Lay flat chains like herringbone straight so they do not kink, and fasten the clasps on finer chains so they do not knot.
When to get help
If you own solid gold pieces with stones, it is a good idea to have a local jeweler check the settings every year or so. For gold filled, vermeil and plated pieces, the care above is usually all you need.
And if something does go wrong, every piece we sell comes with a 1-year warranty. If it breaks, we will repair or replace it. You can find more details on our jewelry care page and in our FAQs, or just send us a message.
A few pieces that are easy to care for
If you want jewelry you can wear a lot without much fuss, gold filled is a great place to start. Our Nia Sleeper Hoop Earrings and Solveig Box Chain Choker Necklace are both 14k gold filled, and Nia is one of our best sellers. For something you never have to think about in the shower, browse our 14k solid gold necklaces and 14k solid gold earrings.
