People who are considering making an extravagant purchase of jewelry frequently have common worries. One of these considerations is the long-term durability of their chosen items. This is a concern that is quite understood given the high cost of pure gold jewelry.
Because of its emphasis on appearance, jewelry is negatively affected by anything that may be done to alter its allure. That’s where the problem of deterioration comes into play.
Does Gold Rust or Tarnish?
A dark staining of the gold object, also known as a tarnish film, is the telltale sign of gold tarnishing, which is caused by the small corrosion of the gold’s surface. If you perform a search on the internet, you will find that some people claim that genuine gold tarnishes, while others claim that genuine gold doesn’t really tarnish. As a result, we made the decision to establish this blog in order to assist in providing information devoid of ambiguous replies or words.
Gold is among the chemical elements that has the lowest level of reactivity. Gold by itself, also known as pure gold, does not easily interact with oxygen. As a result, it retains its luster, does not corrode, and does not become tarnished. It is not easy to discover a piece of jewelry that is made up of nothing but the unadulterated form of gold. Because pure gold or 24 carat gold is too malleable to use in jewelry, the characteristics of gold are typically altered by alloying it with other metals, particularly base metals. It is really the other base metals that are alloyed with precious metals that react with or to air, sulfur, and moisture, which causes your gold jewelry to eventually get tarnished.
The greater karat of a piece of gold jewelry, the lower the likelihood that it will tarnish; nevertheless, gold that is 24 karats or above will never tarnish. Generally speaking, tarnishing is more commonly observed in jewelry which has a lower karat gold content, and it is most commonly found in products that have a gold content of less than 14 karats. There is a possibility of some tarnish developing on jewelry made of 14-karat gold, although 18-karat gold almost never experiences this problem.
Find out how easy it is to sell gold online by calling us at (877) 752-8484.
It is not the case that your gold jewelry is not made of genuine gold or that it is not 24 carat gold just because it has developed a patina over time. Authentic gold jewelry may develop a patina over time. It is possible, but extremely unlikely, for jewelry with a high karat rating of gold to get tarnished. On the other hand, in general, the lower the proportion of alloy that is not gold, the less probable it is that a gold piece will become discolored over time. When compared to sterling silver, the tarnish that forms on jewelry with a lower karat gold content occurs considerably more gradually. The following is a list of some of the more prevalent factors that might cause gold to tarnish or speed the process:
Common factors that contribute to oxidation
The most prevalent cause of tarnishing is the reaction between oxygen- and sulfur-containing chemicals and moisture. The chemistry of our bodies is also unique to each of us, which is another reason why some people’s jewelry may tarnish more easily or faster than that of other people’s jewelry. The continuous exposure to high chemical, such as body spray, hairspray, deodorant, and cleaning supplies like chlorine and detergents, is another factor which may contribute to the tarnishing even of higher gold karat jewelry, such as 14 karat as well as 18 karat jewelry. This factor may also play a part to tarnishing.
Food products that have a high concentration of acidity as well as sulfur compounds are another unexpected factor that might induce tarnishing. Onions, fruit juices, spices, and goods that have been pickled are examples of things that might hasten the deterioration process.
Treating gold jewelry that has become tarnished
If the surface of your gold jewelry has begun to tarnish, you can remove it by combining a few drops of a gentle dishwashing liquid that does not contain phosphates with some warm water. Then, using the fingers or even a cotton swab, wipe the tarnished area with the solution. This should remove the tarnish. Because of their rough texture, toothpaste and baking soda should not be used. After drying the jewelry with a gentle cotton towel or allowing it to air dry fully, though it takes an entire night, you can polish with a gentle cotton cloth or even a gold polishing cloth to bring out its brilliance.
If your gold jewelry has been worn for a significant amount of time and has begun to exhibit signs of wear and tear, you should consider taking it to a reputable jeweler so that it may be meticulously cleaned by an experienced professional. You don’t want to take any old jewelry cleaner just in case, only to find out that you’ve ruined your priceless item rather than cleaning it. The jeweler is the most qualified individual to offer guidance on the products that should be used to clean your item.
Be cautious to take off any jewelry you might be wearing, even if you’re simply washing your hands. Soap residue will gradually give your gold jewelry a tarnished appearance, and at a certain point, it will be more difficult to clean since the residue will have built up into soap suds.
Keep your gold jewelry in its right place, either individually or in compartments, so that it doesn’t get scratched up by other pieces. It is recommended that you place the packet of silica within the standard jewelry box. This will allow the gel to absorb any moisture that may be present in the box.