Jewellery Care

Gold Cleaning!

Moisture, perspiration and cosmetics can dull gold, while soap can dampen its luster. A soft chamois cloth is an inexpensive, yet effective, way to clean gold and keep it shiny. An ultrasonic cleaning machine also works well with metals but should not be used with gemstones. Grease can be removed by dipping jewellery into plain rubbing alcohol. To remove tarnish from gold use soap and water mixed with a few drops of ammonia. An old toothbrush works well. After brushing, rinse with warm water and air dry.

Gold Storing!

When not wearing gold, store jewellery in a soft cloth. Chains should lie flat to avoid kinks. Gold is strong but can still be scratched. Avoid placing pieces on top of each other in a jewellery box or drawer.

Rating of Gold!

Gold is rated on its purity. Gold is mixed with zinc, copper, nickel and other metals to harden it, because pure gold is too soft to be used practically. The purity is rated in carats, with 24 carat being 100% gold. From here, the ratings are based on the percentage of gold in the alloy i.e 75% gold = 18 carat, 50% gold = 12 carat, etc. The denominator used to weigh gold is the Troy Ounce, which is equal to 1.097 regular ounces.

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