However, the gold content does not fade away because gold is a non-reactive metal. One of the most common questions we receive here at All In Faith is “Does gold jewelry tarnish? Gold in its purest form does not tarnish, however, the gold used for jewelry mixes with other metals, allowing it to tarnish. Let's take a closer look at what constitutes gold jewelry and how you can prevent or repair tarnished gold jewelry. Pure gold, like 24-carat gold, doesn't tarnish because it doesn't easily combine with oxygen.
It's extremely rare to find a pure gold ring because the base metals are alloyed together with gold to create a stronger, harder ring. The base metals used are exposed to oxygen and sulfur and eventually cause gold rings to tarnish. Pure gold doesn't tarnish, but gold jewelry is an alloy. Depending on the percentage of other metals mixed with gold, there is a chance of tarnishing; the lower the number of carats, the more likely it is to tarnish;.
From watches to necklaces, rings and pendants, gold accessories are found almost everywhere in the world. No matter how soft pure gold is, it must be alloyed with other metals to become strong and durable jewelry. If you have some gold jewelry and want to know if the tarnishing process has already occurred, take a closer look at them. Perfumes and other chemicals can corrode the metal alloys that make up gold jewelry, even if they don't react directly with pure gold.
In reality, it's extremely rare to find any type of piece of jewelry made of pure 24-carat gold because it's so soft. When you start adding other metals, all of which are more reactive than gold, the risk of tarnishing starts to increase. This usually results in a thin layer or poorly bonded layers that quickly fade away, exposing the base metal underneath to a golden tarnish. So what do you do when your gold jewelry starts to tarnish? If the jewelry only has a superficial stain, you can use a few drops of a mild phosphate-free dish soap and warm water to help clean the stain.
When done correctly, gold plating prevents tarnishing by using pure gold to protect the most reactive base metal from the environment. Then, gently rub the rough side of the fabric onto the surface of the tarnished gold in circular movements. A jeweler can also inform you about how to precisely care for your specific piece and offer you cleaning tips to help you keep your gold jewelry looking new at all times. Gold jewelry is one of the most popular types of jewelry, as gold has always been the standard of wealth, social status and quality.
