How to Clean 18K Gold Jewelry

Cleaning your gold jewelry will make it look new again.

Gold jewelry is expensive, but with the proper care it will last you a lifetime so that you can pass it on to future generations. Gold that is stamped 18 karat simply means that there is 75 percent gold to 25 percent alloy, or 18 parts gold to 24 parts alloy, according to the Diamond Sources of Virginia, Inc. website. Cleaning your precious 18 karat gold jewelry is not difficult and will soon restore it to a like-new appearance.

Things You'll Need

• Mild dish washing detergent
• Ammonia
• Small bowl
• Wire strainer
• Old toothbrush or eyebrow brush

Instructions

Detergent Bath

1. Squirt a small amount of mild liquid dish washing detergent into a small bowl filled with warm water.

2. Swish the water around to create suds.

3. Place your 18 karat gold jewelry into the warm sudsy water and allow it to sit for approximately 30 minutes.

4. Brush the nooks and crannies of your 18 karat gold jewelry with an old toothbrush or an eyebrow brush.

5. Transfer your jewelry into a wire strainer and hold it under warm running water to rinse the suds from the gold jewelry. Dry the jewelry by patting it with a soft, lint-free towel.

Ammonia Solution

1. Mix a solution of one part ammonia and one part cold water into a small bowl.

2. Place your 18 karat gold jewelry into the bowl and allow it to sit for 30 minutes.

3. Clean your gold jewelry with an old toothbrush or an eyebrow brush, scrubbing with a gentle motion.

4. Dip the jewelry back into the ammonia water solution and then allow it to air dry on a soft towel. There is no need to rinse the solution.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid cleaning opals or pearls in the ammonia water solution, this can damage the gems.

• Avoid wearing gold rings when cleaning with bleach products, as this will damage them over time.

References

• DY Jewels: Cleaning Your Gold Jewelry
• Diamond Source of Virginia, Inc.: Platinum, Gold and Other Precious Metals