How to Take Care of Gold-Plated Jewelry vs. Silver Plated Jewelry

Every piece of jewelry tells a story. What you wear reflects your personality. Looking inside your jewelry box is like stepping back in time. You want to give your gold and silver-plated jewelry the care it deserves to let you wear it for years to come.

Whether it’s a gold-plated ring or a silver-plated bracelet, you need to know how to care for your jewelry. Looking after gold-plated jewelry is different than caring for its silver-plated alternatives. We’re deep diving into the world of jewelry cleaning to give you the advice you need to keep your favorite jewelry looking brand new.

Caring for gold-plated jewelry

Gold-plated jewelry is one of the easiest to look after. Tarnishing can be easily prevented by following a few easy cleaning tips.

Use a lint-free cloth to regularly clean your gold-plated jewelry. You want to use a soft cloth that helps you gently clean the gold plating without damaging it. You don’t need to worry about using a cleansing agent, as rubbing the cloth back and forth should restore the jewelry’s natural shine.

The best way to keep your gold-plated jewelry scratch-free is by cleaning it after every use. Your skin’s natural oils are one of the reasons why jewelry can start to tarnish over time. 

You can make a DIY cleaning solution at home by adding gentle soap and warm water to a bowl. You want to allow your jewelry to soak in the solution for a few minutes before rinsing with cold water and cleaning with a lint-free cloth. 

Avoid using an antibacterial soap as this will tarnish your gold-plated jewelry. If your jewelry needs a deeper clean, it may be worth booking it in for a professional clean.

Caring for silver-plated jewelry

Just like gold-plated jewelry, its silver-plated alternative can also tarnish with time. You can keep your silver-plated jewelry looking new and maintain its luster with regular cleaning.

A jewelry polishing cloth is a great investment as its main specifically to give your jewelry a gentle polish and remove dirt without damaging the plating. 

If your silver-plated jewelry needs a deeper clean, baking soda and aluminum foil can help remove tarnishing. The chemical reaction caused by the aluminum and baking soda deeply cleanses your jewelry without being abrasive. 

You can also care for your silver-plated jewelry by keeping it away from perfume. You should always apply your perfume before putting on your jewelry as it can cause chemical reactions that oxidize the metal plating. 

Another tip for caring for your silver jewelry is to store your pieces apart in a jewelry box or case. If your jewelry becomes tangled or rubs against each other, it can leave scratches or cause your jewelry to tarnish. 

If silver jewelry is your signature, you can also buy a commercial jewelry cleaner that is specifically made for silver jewelry. You’ll often find these solutions in department stores or at your local jewelers.

You can check the Story Jewelry website blog for more suggestion. Also you can buy a silver-plated mother daughter ring or fidget ring in there.

How do you care for your gold-plated and silver-plated jewelry? Leave your advice in the comments below!