How to Clean White Gold Jewelry Safely

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By missbeth
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White Gold Rings

Does your white gold jewelry need to be cleaned, but you're not sure how to clean it? Cleaning white gold jewelry at home can be safely and easily accomplished. A few important tips in this article will lead you through the process.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Cold water
Ammonia
Soft clean towel
Clean cup
Very soft toothbrush, OR
Clean eyebrow brush

Step 1

White Gold Wedding Rings with Diamonds

It is important to first know what the difference is between "yellow gold" jewelry and "white gold" jewelry. Both yellow gold and white gold jewelry contain 75% pure gold. However, the other 25% of each is different, depending on the alloys used to make them. Yellow gold is a mix of 75% pure gold, combined with zinc and copper. White gold is 75% WHITE gold (an alloy of pure gold) mixed with different white metals. Also, white gold is often coated (or plated) with rhodium, a white metal that makes white gold jewelry have a much brighter luster.
Step 2

TIPS FOR SAFE CLEANING OF WHITE GOLD JEWELRY AT HOME:
White gold jewelry should NEVER be cleaned with chlorine or any product containing chlorine or bleach. Using chlorine will ultimately damage your beautiful white gold jewelry. Also, NEVER use toothpaste or tooth powders as they are abrasive and will scratch your jewelry and also make them look dull.
Step 3

Place Rings on Towel

BEST WAY TO CLEAN WHITE GOLD JEWELRY:
First, place your rings or other white gold jewelry on a soft towel, preferably far enough away from your kitchen or bathroom sink so they can't fall down the drain.
Step 4

Household Ammonia

Next, place 1/3 cup cold water and 1/3 cup ammonia in a clean cup and stir until well mixed.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Do NOT use this ammonia mixture to clean white gold rings or earrings that have semi-precious stones set in them! Ammonia will damage the stones. It is okay to use this mixture on diamonds!
Step 5

Place your white gold jewelry pieces into the water and ammonia mixture and let them soak for about 15 minutes. Gently swish the jewelry around a bit in the mixture with your finger during this time, or just let it soak. It's a good idea to set a timer for this process, just so you don't forget to remove it when it's time!
Step 6

Use a Soft Toothbrush

Take all of the jewelry out of the cleaning mixture. Using a very soft, clean tooth brush or a clean eyebrow brush, gently brush each piece to remove any dirt or other residue.
Step 7

Jewelry Box for White Gold

Next, place the clean jewelry on the soft clean towel again. Then dump the used cleaning mixture down the sink and wash the cup with soapy water. Finally, using a jeweler's cloth or other soft cotton cloth, gently buff each piece dry and place them in your jewelry box.

Finally, enjoy the bright luster of your safely cleaned white gold jewelry!