How to Care for Your Gold Jewellery

Whether you're keeping a piece or considering selling it later, looking after it properly keeps it in the best possible condition — and better-condition items generally get a better valuation.

Safe everyday cleaning

• Soak briefly in warm water with a small amount of mild washing-up liquid.
• Gently clean with a soft-bristled brush (a soft toothbrush works well) — focus on crevices where dirt collects.
• Rinse thoroughly under warm running water.
• Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth rather than rubbing.

What to avoid

• Chlorine and bleach — can weaken gold alloys over time and damage certain gemstone settings. Always remove gold jewellery before swimming in chlorinated pools or using household bleach.
• Harsh household chemicals and abrasive cleaners — can scratch soft gold surfaces, especially on lower-carat, harder alloys as well as higher-carat, softer ones.
• Ultrasonic cleaners — can be too aggressive for pieces with fragile or included gemstones, loose settings, or antique construction. Fine for plain solid gold bands, but proceed with caution on anything with stones.
• Perfume, hairspray and lotion — apply these before putting jewellery on, not after, since residue can dull the surface over time.

Storage

• Store pieces separately in soft pouches or a lined jewellery box to prevent scratching against harder metals or stones.
• Keep away from excess humidity, which can affect some gemstone settings and accelerate tarnishing of any non-gold components (like clasps or findings).

When to seek professional help

Loose stones, bent prongs, worn clasps or significant damage are best left to a professional jeweller rather than attempting a repair yourself, which can reduce an item's value or cause further damage.

Thinking of selling instead?

If a piece is damaged, tangled, or no longer worn, it may be worth more as scrap gold than you'd expect — condition affects appearance but purity and weight are what determine value. See our gold purity guide to understand how valuations work, or request a free postal gold kit to get a same-day, no-obligation valuation.