How to Care for Gold and Silver Jewellery at Home — Simple Tips from a Goldsmith

Your favourite ring. That necklace you almost never take off. After a while, every piece of jewellery loses some of its shine, due to skin oils, soap, perfume, or simply daily wear. Luckily, there is quite a lot you can do yourself to keep your jewellery looking its best.

Cleaning gold jewellery

Gold does not rust and barely discolours. But it can become dull from built-up residue.

What you need:

• Lukewarm water
• A drop of washing-up liquid
• A soft toothbrush

Place your piece in the soapy water for a few minutes, gently brush along the setting and any crevices, rinse with clean water, and pat dry with a soft cloth. That’s all it takes.

Cleaning silver jewellery

Silver oxidises: it turns dark and dull. This is normal and easy to fix.

• For light tarnish: polish with a special silver cloth
• For stubborn tarnish: make a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water, rub in gently, rinse well

Note: never use abrasive cleaning products on silver.

What to avoid

• Perfume and hairspray: spray first, then put on your jewellery
• Chlorine (swimming pool): always remove your jewellery before swimming
• Household products: chemical substances damage both metal and stones
• Ultrasonic cleaners for gemstones: not all stones are suitable for this — always ask for advice first

Important: these tips do not apply to all jewellery

The cleaning tips above are suitable for most gold and silver jewellery. However, they do not apply to:

• Jewellery with pearls: pearls are very delicate and should never be submerged in water
• Certain gemstones such as opal: opal is heat-sensitive and can be damaged by temperature changes or moisture
• Gold-plated jewellery: the thin gold layer can be damaged by intensive cleaning

Not sure whether your piece is suitable for home cleaning? Always bring it to a specialist.

How to store jewellery

• Store each piece separately to prevent scratching
• Use a closed jewellery box or small pouches
• Keep silver as dark and dry as possible — light and moisture speed up oxidation

When should you visit a goldsmith?

Home care is fine for daily maintenance. But having your jewellery checked by a professional once a year is a smart move, especially for rings with stones. A loose setting often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

At my studio in Leuven you are always welcome for an inspection or a professional clean.