Don’t Let Your Faves Tarnish: The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Gold & Silver

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend but the bezels or bands that it adorns are just as important in creating the whole piece. Be it gold, silver or rose gold, the metal parts that make up your precious jewelry piece is what lets it shine the way it’s supposed to. That’s why it’s important for you to learn how to clean gold and silver jewelry yourself to keep it nice and shiny, especially for the pieces that you don’t wear out as often. You may have found or inherited a gorgeous vintage piece or may even be investing in your first gold piece, so be prepared on what you need to know in terms of upkeep and cleaning.

What Jewelry Is Popular Right Now

The gold and silver jewelry of today are not the same as your momma’s gold or silver pieces that were big during their time. While chunky jewelry may still have a place with jewelry enthusiasts, the designs have been updated with more modern takes. 

Instead of chain links, gold or silver beads, coin pendants and penny bracelets, what’s more popular now are stars, hearts, thunderbolts, florals and cat-shaped charms and pendants, including of the Hello Kitty variety, hanging off — or even strung together to make up — necklaces, bracelets and earrings, or topping off rings. Meanwhile, current trends see dainty stackable jewelry, charm bracelets and necklaces, and Disney princess-themed designs take centre stage. That’s not to say that you can’t find these designs in vintage or secondhand scores at the pre-loved markets, though. Scour the booths and you’ll see just how the designs of yesteryear are coming back again. 

Is It Okay To Wear Gold and Silver Together?

When it comes to fashion styles these days, anything goes. So, yes, if you feel it looks good, go ahead and layer your golds and silvers together. Just make sure to balance them out, not just with each other, but also with your entire outfit. Some colors, like black and most neutrals, go well with both gold and silver jewelry, while it could become one too many colors when mixing up your metals on a more colorful or bold outfit. 

If you do go multi-colored or bohemian hippie, try wearing gold and silver together and then layering it with jewelry made of other materials like leather cords and seed beads for a truly unique and eclectic vibe. 

What is the difference between S925 and 925?

You may have seen silver jewelry with the markings “S925” or “925” stamped into it and wondered what it means and what is the difference between S925 and 925. Well, there really is no difference between the two. They both mean the same thing, which is that silver jewelry stamped with this label contains 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% other metals. This mix of other metals, usually copper, helps make the jewelry piece sturdier and suitable for daily wear, as opposed to solid silver, which is labeled as s990 and is more malleable. Meanwhile, the “S” in S925 stands for “sterling”, which indicates the 92.5% silver content. 

For gold, the purest form is labeled as either 999 gold or 24K (stands for “karat”, not to be confused for “carat” which is used for gemstones) gold. However, same as with silver, a gold alloy is more suitable for jewelry pieces. Look for gold stamped with the 916 or 22K gold marking for the highest quality gold jewelry, in general. Jewelry with this label has 91.6% gold content. 

24K Gold: 100% pure. It has a very rich yellow color and is the most expensive, but it’s too soft for daily wear and is typically used for investment coins or bars.
18K Gold: Contains 75% gold and 25% other metals. It strikes a good balance between purity, rich color, and durability. It’s less prone to scratches than 24K and is a popular choice for high-end jewelry and engagement rings.
14K Gold: Made of 58.3% gold and 41.7% other metals. It is the most common gold used for jewelry in many parts of the world because of its excellent durability and affordability. While its color is a slightly lighter yellow than 18K, its strength makes it ideal for daily wear and active lifestyles.

If you’re wondering if the resale value for 925 silver and 925 gold jewelry pieces are as good as 925 silver and 916 gold, the answer is yes. This is because precious metal buyers will pay you for the gold or silver portion of your jewelry at the same price as it is still pure gold once extracted and separated from the alloy mix. However, you might miss out when selling before it becomes a collector’s item because buyers will not pay for the craftsmanship that went into creating the piece. That’s why it’s important to keep your gold and silver pieces looking good not just for resale value, but also so that you feel good when wearing your favorite pieces.

How To Clean Gold and Silver Jewelry

To find out the best ways to clean gold and silver jewelry, we checked with top jewelry brands on their best practices and recommendations. Here’s what they have shared.

Soak gold jewelry in a solution of a squirt of dish-washing liquid mixed with lukewarm water for 15 minutes before taking it out and cleaning with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Then, dry off with a soft lint-free cloth before allowing it to air-dry. - SK Jewellery

Use a small amount of jewelry cleaner on a soft cloth, rubbing the silver gently before rinsing the silver thoroughly in warm water and carefully drying with  a soft cloth. Always keep your silver jewelry dry and properly stored when not being used, but when you use it more, the less care it needs. - Tiffany & Co 

You may also purchase their Tiffany jewelry polishing spray for home use, following their specific instructions.

To clean any gemstones on your pieces, use a jewel polishing cloth after usage to remove any sweat or residue from natural body oils to ensure the jewels are always sparkling. - Wanderlust + Co

With the right care and cleaning practices, you’ll be able to keep your gold and silver jewelry nice and shiny for a long time until they become vintage heirloom pieces loved and cherished by the next generation.