Does Gold Tarnish?

Gold has always been admired for its eternal beauty, durability, and value. From ancient times up to modern-day fashion, gold has stood as a symbol of wealth, love, and status. But one question always seems to be in the minds of jewelry owners: Does gold tarnish?

The answer isn't as straightforward as you might think. While pure gold doesn't tarnish, gold alloys and plated jewelry can lose their luster over time due to a variety of factors. In this guide, we'll explore why gold tarnishes, how to prevent it, and how to restore its shine if it does.

What is Tarnishing?

Tarnishing is a natural process in which the metal reacts with the chemicals present in its surroundings, causing discoloration or a dull finish. It most commonly occurs with metals like silver, copper, and nickel, but gold alloys, which are a combination of these metals, can also tarnish.

Why Pure Gold Doesn't Tarnish

Gold, in its pure form, is a noble metal, meaning that it does not oxidize or react with moisture. That is why it does not rust, corrode, or tarnish.

• 24K Gold: Pure gold is soft, malleable, and never tarnishes. Being this soft, it's rarely used for any jewelry intended for daily wear.

Why Does Gold Jewelry Tarnish?

The most interesting fact about most gold jewelry is that it is not all made from pure gold; instead, gold alloy is used in it—a mixture of gold with metals like copper, silver, nickel, or zinc. All these metals are mixed in a way that one strengthens gold, changes its color, yet makes the jewelry a lot more susceptible to tarnishing.

Factors That Cause Tarnishing

• Moisture/Humidity: Gold alloys will often discolor with ordinary moisture in the air.
• Perspiration and body oils: Natural oils and sweat react with the metals in the alloy, causing tarnishing over time.
• Chemicals: Chlorine, perfumes, lotions, and cleaning products accelerate the tarnishing rate.
• Environmental Pollutants: Sulfur and other atmospheric pollutants can combine with alloy metals, especially in rose gold.

Gold Types and Tarnish Resistance

Does Gold-Plated Jewelry Tarnish?

Yes, gold-plated jewelry tarnishes more quickly than solid gold because it is basically a thin layering of gold over a base metal, usually brass or copper. When the gold plating wears off, the underlying base metal is exposed to air and starts reacting with it.

Tips for Making Gold-Plated Jewelry Last Longer

• Avoid wearing any gold-plated things while swimming or taking a shower.
• Keep them in a dry, tight container away from oxidation.
• Re-plate the jewelry when the layer of gold becomes thin.

TIP: Consider heirloom pieces or everyday jewelry in solid gold or vermeil gold—thicker plating over sterling silver—rather than common gold-plated, so they last longer.

How to Prevent Gold Jewelry from Tarnishing

You will not face tarnishing if you care for it properly, and this will keep your gold jewelry glowing for years together.

1. Wear It Wisely:
   • Avoid wearing your gold jewelry during swimming, exercising in the gym, or cleaning.
   • Avoid wearing lotions, perfumes, or hairspray on or near your gold.
2. Proper Storage:
   • Anti-tarnish pouches or cloths can be used to protect gold jewelry.
   • Store them in separate compartments to prevent scratches and chemical reactions.
3. Regular Cleaning:
   • Gently rub your gold jewelry with a soft cloth after each wear to remove sweat and oils.
   • Clean extremely worn pieces every couple of weeks just to keep them gleaming.

How to Clean Tarnished Gold Jewelry

Is there a tarnish on your favorite gold jewelry? Well, most items can be cleaned and brightened up by using minimal cleaning methods. Here's how to return the brilliance in all your solid gold or simply gold alloys or gold-plated jewelry:

1. Mild Soap and Warm Water Method

This is the safest and most effective method for cleaning most gold jewelry.

Steps:

1. Fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of mild dish soap.
2. Soak the jewelry in it by placing it in a bowl for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush or cloth to scrub away the dirt or tarnish.
4. Rinse the jewelry under warm running water.
5. Wipe through with a lint-free cloth until dry.

Best For: Solid gold and gold alloys, such as 18k or 14k. It's not recommended to do this to plated jewelry very often as the plating can wear down.

2. Baking Soda Paste for Difficult Tarnish

For resistant tarnish on durable pieces, baking soda can lift discoloration.

Steps:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of water to form a thick paste.
2. Apply the paste to the jewelry with a soft cloth or brush.
3. Rub the tarnished areas in a circular motion using light pressure.
4. Wash well and dry with a soft cloth.

Caution: Avoid using this method on gold-plated jewelry or very fragile stones as this may be abrasive.

3. Commercial Gold Cleaners

If you have heavily tarnished pieces, a commercial gold cleaning solution offers quick results.

Steps:

1. Follow all directions on the label carefully.
2. Soak the jewelry for the length of time recommended.
3. Rinse and dry as instructed.

Best For: Solid gold jewelry. Do not use chemical cleaners on gold-plated items or antique pieces unless the label says so.

4. Professional Cleaning Services

Take those really vintage, heavily tarnished, or too valuable pieces to professional cleaners. A jeweler will be able to clean your gold with the right tools and solutions without taking the risk of damaging it.

TIP: Always test any cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous area of the jewelry before applying it to the entire piece.

Myths About Gold Tarnishing

There's a lot of bad information kicking its heels around about gold tarnishing. Let's dispel some common myths:

Myth 1: Tarnished Gold Jewelry Is Fake

Tarnishing doesn't involve the fact that it isn't real jewelry. Even some gold alloys, which are recognized as real, can blacken due to some metals mixed up with the gold. Actually, tarnish is all about something with the composition of your jewelry and not the questions of whether a certain thing is fake or not.

Myth 2: Pure Gold Never Loses Its Shine

While pure gold doesn't tarnish, it can dull from dirt, oils, or scratches and can be restored through cleaning and polishing.

Myth 3: Frequent Cleaning Damages Gold Jewelry

Ironically, it is the gentle, frequent cleaning of gold jewelry with harmless procedures such as soap and water that will preserve it. It is the harsh chemicals or rough methods that will damage it.

Tarnishing and Skin Discoloration: What You Need to Know

Sometimes, when you are wearing gold jewelry, you get those green or black marks on your skin. This does not happen because of tarnish but is a reaction between your skin's oils, sweat, and the alloy metals in your jewelry.

Why Does This Happen?

• Content of Copper and Nickel: Alloys like copper or nickel can be caused to discolor by sweat or water.
• pH Level of Sweat: Individuals with a high pH level, meaning acidity in the sweat, may get this reaction more frequently.

How to Prevent It

• Choose higher-karat gold, like 18k or 22k, because it contains less alloy content.
• Use transparent nail polish to coat the inner surface of rings or bracelets as a protective layer.
• Keeping your skin dry and jewelry clean will minimize reactions.

Gold-Plated Jewelry: Care and Maintenance

Extra care is taken to preserve the layer of gold on gold-plated jewelry to avoid its wearing away or tarnishing.

How to Maintain Gold-Plated Items

• Avoid long stays in contact with water, sweat, and chemicals.
• Clean gently with a soft, damp cloth; never use abrasives.
• Store gold-plated jewelry in a soft pouch to avoid scratching.

When to Replate Gold-Plated Jewelry

In due course, a layer of gold will wear off completely, especially when in frequent use. You might consider having your jewelry replated by a professional to give it an attractive look.

FAQs About Gold Tarnishing

Here are a few frequently asked questions that help dispel any lingering doubts on whether or not gold tarnishes, and how one properly cares for jewelry.

1. Does 18k Gold Tarnish Faster Than 14k Gold?

No, 18k doesn't tarnish as fast as 14k because it has a higher pure gold percentage at 75% compared with 58.3%. The more alloy metals in the composition, the higher the chance of tarnishing.

2. Can I Wear Gold Jewelry in the Shower?

Not recommended. Though pure gold does not tarnish, exposure to soap, shampoo, and water will dull the brilliance of gold alloys and also of plated jewelry. Continuous exposure to moisture will weaken the structure of plated jewelry.

3. Is Tarnished Gold Jewelry Fake?

No. Tarnishing is not an indicator of fake gold. Even authentic gold alloys can tarnish due to the metals mixed with the gold. Use proper cleaning techniques to restore your jewelry’s shine.

4. How Often Does Gold Jewelry Need Cleaning?

Daily wear items will need cleaning every 2-3 weeks to rid them of the oils and dirt. Less frequently used items can simply need a quick clean after a few wears.

5. How to Tell If My Gold Jewelry Is Plated or Solid?

• Weight: Pure gold is heavier compared to those that are gold-plated.
• Stamp Markings: Check for stamps that denote the content of gold, such as "14k," "18k," or "24k." Plated items will be stamped with terms like "GP" for gold-plated or "GF" for gold-filled.
• Testing: A jeweler can conduct an acid test to determine whether the jewelry is solid or plated.

Can Tarnished Gold Be Restored?

Well, most tarnished gold jewelry can be returned to its original shine. For slight tarnish, cleaning methods involving soap and water or baking soda work just fine. Deep tarnishing or fragile items may require professional polishing or replating.

Does Gold Tarnish? Final Words

Whether gold tarnishes or not depends on its purity and composition.

• Pure gold (24k): Doesn’t tarnish due to its chemical inertness.
• Gold alloys: Such as 18k, 14k, and 10k, may tarnish over a certain period since it is an alloy of metals.
• Gold plated jewelry: Tends to tarnish because base metals underneath the plating may be reacting with moisture and air.

To maintain the beauty and longevity of your gold jewelry:

• Clean it regularly using gentle methods.
• Store them properly in anti-tarnish pouches or airtight containers.
• Avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals, moisture, and sweat.

Gold jewelry is not just about wearing something, but it's an investment in beauty, tradition, and style. With proper care, your gold pieces can be a bright and elegant part of your life for years to come. Whether it is that family heirloom, that custom necklace, or your favorite everyday bracelet, treating your gold jewelry with care is how you make sure it always looks its best.