Whether you’ve got a white gold ring on every finger or a pair of white gold hoops that you’ve vowed never to take off, it’s no surprise that this glistening metal has captured your heart—and the attention of many a passerby. But when your favorite pieces seem to lose their signature shine, it can be enough to dull even the brightest of days.
Fear not, fine jewelry enthusiasts. We’ve put together a guide for this very moment. Below, we’ll teach you how to clean white gold and equip you with a few best practices to keep your favorite pieces shining for years to come.
3 Ways to Clean White Gold Jewelry
Does white gold tarnish? No, they don’t but they can definitely lose their luster. When it comes to keeping your treasured white gold chains, engagement rings, earrings, and bracelets soil-free, you’ve got a few options:
- Polishing with a mixture of soap and water
- Using a cleaning solution that’s safe for fine jewelry
- Getting your jewelry professionally cleaned
Below, we’ll walk you through the specifics of each approach to ensure your jewelry is restored with care.
#1 Try an At-Home Hack
Let’s say you purchased a pair of white gold earrings a few months back. They’re still just as stunning as they were on the day you got them, but their overall level of the luster has definitely gone down a couple of notches. In this case, it’s probably best to opt for a simple, five-step cleaning process that you can complete right at home:
- Step 1 – In a small bowl, create a mixture of warm water and a couple of drops of mild dish soap.
- Step 2 – Soak your white gold jewelry in the mixture for 20-30 minutes.
- Step 3 – While submerged in the mixture, gently rub each target area to remove any unwanted build-up. For tougher tarnish, feel free to scrub gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Step 4 – Once you’re satisfied, rinse your jewelry with warm water, taking care to wash away any excess soap.
- Step 5 – Lightly pat your piece dry with a clean towel. Just be sure to do so away from any sinks or tubs to avoid losing your freshly-polished piece to the drain.
#2 Use a White-Gold-Safe Cleaning Solution
If you’re dealing with stubborn tarnish that’s accumulated over a prolonged period of time, you may want to consider using a jewelry-specific cleaning solution—one that’s safe enough to use on fine jewelry made with gold, diamond alternative center stone, or any other precious gemstone. However, there are many differences between sterling silver vs white, so you should never attempt to use the same products. Be sure you only use ones that are safe for your gold jewelry.
Look for an ammonia-free option (usually available online or in your local drugstore) and be sure to follow the specific jewelry care and cleaning instructions outlined on the label. In most cases, a quick, 30-second dip will do the trick but, again, you may need to use a soft-bristled brush to clear away any lingering signs of discoloration. Before returning your piece back to the jewelry box, pat it dry with a clean soft cloth.
#3 Pass The Job Off to The Professionals
If you’re not sure how to clean a white gold ring—you know, that extra special one that’s been passed down in your family for generations—it might be best to leave it up to the professionals.
To keep that cherished ring—or any other fine jewelry—in sparkling shape for decades to come, stop by your local jewelry store and request a cleaning. They may charge you a small fee for the job or, if you bring it to the store you purchased it from, free cleanings might even be included as part of their lifetime guarantee.
Caring for White Gold: Best Post-Cleaning Practices
With your jewelry pieces looking as lustrous as ever, you may be eager to adorn yourself from head to toe—with no plans to take them off any time soon. However, in order to keep your jewelry cleaner longer, keep the following best practices in mind:
- White gold can dull as a result of simple, everyday activities—like routine yoga classes or sweat sessions at the gym. So, before heading off to your next HIIT class, consider leaving your white gold jewelry at home to protect it from sweat and oils that can eat away at its rhodium plating.
- Another time your white gold jewelry is better left in the box? Whenever you’re cleaning around the house with harsh chemicals, soaps or detergents. The same goes for chlorine pools and salt-water swimming.
Finally, just because your freshly cleaned jewelry has left you feeling like a million bucks, it’s best not to overclean. Frequent, gentle cleanings could help keep tarnish at bay but excess scrubbing could end up doing more harm than good.
Find Your Forever Pieces at Diamond Nexus
We get it—when you invest in a one-of-a-kind piece of white gold jewelry, you not only want it to last, but you want its sparkle to transcend time. With the proper upkeep and jewelry care, it should. But when you buy with Diamond Nexus, it’s a guarantee. We’re so confident in the quality of our pieces that we offer a Lifetime Stone Guarantee which covers our Nexus Diamond™ lab-created diamond simulant and moissanite stones.
Plus, when you opt for our Everything’s Included Plan, you get free white gold cleanings for a year. From white gold engagement rings and wedding bands to earrings and necklaces, shop Diamond Nexus for jewelry that will stand the test of time.
Sources:
CNN. How to clean different types of jewelry, according to experts.