How to Care for Your Gold Jewellery
Gold jewellery is an investment — and with a little care, it will stay beautiful for decades. Whether you’ve just bought a 9K gold ring or have heirloom 18K pieces handed down through your family, these simple habits make all the difference.
Everyday Habits That Protect Your Jewellery
Put jewellery on last. Perfume, hairspray, sunscreen and makeup all contain chemicals that dull gold over time. Get ready first, then put your jewellery on.
Take it off before cleaning. Household cleaning products — bleach, chlorine, ammonia — can damage gold alloys and discolour stones. This includes the pool: chlorine is particularly harsh on gold.
Remove it before exercise. Sweat and impact can loosen settings and wear down gold plating. For rings especially, remove before the gym.
How to Clean Gold Jewellery at Home
Mix a few drops of mild dish soap in warm (not hot) water. Soak your piece for 15–20 minutes, then gently scrub with a soft toothbrush — paying attention to the back of the setting where oil builds up. Rinse under running water and pat dry with a soft cloth.
Avoid ultrasonic cleaners at home unless the jeweller who made the piece specifically says it’s safe — they can loosen stones in certain settings.
Proper Storage
Store each piece separately in a fabric-lined jewellery box or the pouch it came in. Gold can scratch other gold, and diamonds can scratch everything. If you’re travelling, keep pieces in individual zip-lock bags inside your carry-on.
When to Get a Professional Polish
Even with good care, gold develops fine scratches over time. A professional polish every 12–18 months restores its original lustre. We offer jewellery polishing and cleaning at our Macarthur Square store — bring in any Melia Nae piece and we’ll look after it.
A Note on Gold Vermeil & Gold-Filled Pieces
If your piece is gold vermeil (sterling silver plated with gold) or gold-filled, the same care rules apply — but be even gentler when cleaning, as harsh scrubbing can thin the plating over time. Solid 9K and 18K gold pieces are more resilient and will last longer with normal wear.