Gold jewellery is famously low-maintenance — but "gold" covers everything from solid 18K to a thin plated layer over brass, and each needs slightly different care. Here is how to keep every kind of gold jewellery looking its best, and how to store it so it does not degrade in the drawer.
Does gold jewellery tarnish?
Pure gold does not tarnish or rust — it is one of the least reactive metals there is. But most gold jewellery is an alloy: 18K is 75% gold, 14K is around 58.5%, and the remaining metals (usually copper, silver or zinc) can react with air, moisture and skin. That is why lower-carat gold can dull slightly over time, and why gold-plated pieces need the most care of all — the gold layer is thin, and what is underneath (brass or silver) will tarnish if the layer wears through.
How do you clean gold jewellery at home?
Warm water, a drop of washing-up liquid, and a soft cloth or very soft brush. Soak solid gold for a few minutes, gently work around settings, rinse and dry thoroughly. That is it — no toothpaste, no bicarbonate of soda, no abrasives, all of which leave fine scratches. For gold-plated and vermeil pieces, skip the soak: wipe gently with a barely damp soft cloth and dry straight away. Rubbing hard or polishing plated jewellery aggressively wears through the gold layer.
Can you wear gold-plated jewellery every day?
You can, but the plating will wear faster — friction, sweat, perfume and hand cream are what slowly remove it. A few habits make a big difference:
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Put jewellery on last — after perfume, hairspray and moisturiser have dried | Spray perfume directly onto or near your jewellery |
| Wipe pieces with a soft dry cloth after each wear | Wear plated pieces in the shower, pool or gym |
| Take rings off for washing up and cleaning | Let plated jewellery touch household chemicals — bleach and chlorine are the worst offenders |
| Rotate between a few pieces rather than wearing one daily | Polish plated jewellery with abrasive silver-polishing cloths |
Chlorine deserves a special mention even for solid gold: repeated exposure can weaken gold alloys over time, so take rings off before swimming. We cover this in more detail in our guide to wearing jewellery in the shower, pool and gym.
What is the difference between caring for vermeil and gold-plated jewellery?
Gold vermeil is a thicker gold layer over sterling silver, so it withstands wear better than standard plating over brass — but the care routine is the same: keep it dry, keep it away from chemicals, wipe after wear. The full breakdown is in our guide to vermeil vs gold plated vs gold filled. Pieces like our Lumina Pearl Station Necklace pair gold plating with pearls — in that case, follow the gentler rule of the two materials and keep the piece away from water entirely.
How should you store gold jewellery to stop it degrading?
Cool, dry and separate. Gold is soft — pure gold especially — so pieces stored loose in one dish will scratch each other. Give each piece its own pouch, soft-lined compartment or hook. For plated and vermeil pieces, an airtight bag or box slows tarnish of the base metal dramatically; add an anti-tarnish strip or a small silica gel sachet if your bathroom or bedroom runs humid. And never store jewellery in the bathroom itself — the constant humidity is the single most common cause of dulling and tarnish.
Browse our Everyday Elegance collection for gold-tone pieces made for regular wear.