How to clean gold-plated silver at home

Gold-plated jewelry and cutlery are in no way inferior in appearance to products made from pure gold. However, during use, it often happens that spoons and forks, earrings, bracelets, pendants and chains lose their shine and become noticeably dull. But there are ways to clean gold plating and restore it to its original appearance at home.

How is gilded silver produced? Why does gold plating turn black?

The coating has a minimum thickness of no more than 2 microns. This opportunity became possible thanks to the development of a technology called electroplating. In this case, the product is immersed in the solution along with a fragment of gold. When an electric current is passed, yellow metal ions are electrodeposited onto the silver. This is facilitated by the correct choice of electrolyte. Previously, a cyanide solution was used. However, it causes great harm and contains a dangerous substance. Later the method was improved and a non-cyanide electrolyte was used.

The standard of silver with gilding does not change. For example, if you need to coat a 925 alloy, then even after electrodeposition of yellow metal ions, the main characteristics remain the same. The standard of gold-plated silver is 925. But the coating protects the jewelry from tarnishing only for a limited period. Causes of blackness:

• contact with sweat due to illness, taking medications, excessive physical activity;
• exposure to cosmetics and detergents;
• violation of storage rules - in a room with high humidity;
• damage: where there are scratches, patina appears on the silver faster.

Which silver to choose to clean less often

Ag is a soft metal that quickly loses its original shape and color. It needs to be carefully looked after, often polished and cleaned of dirt. To reduce costs (time, physical), different methods are used. One of them is gilding, but even in this case, the silver can darken in areas where the coating has become thinner.

It is recommended to choose a precious metal with the least amount of ligature. For this, alloys 925 and 960 are considered.

The absence of identifying marks on gold-plated silver most often indicates that the product is of poor quality. Most likely it's costume jewelry. It will quickly lose its shape. This kind of thing won't last long. But sometimes the absence of a sample indicates that the product has been repaired. You can determine whether a piece of jewelry is worthy of attention by contacting a jeweler.

Salt

This method will not help get rid of stubborn stains, but will return the product's shine and lightly clean the metal.

1. 200 ml of water is poured into the pan.
2. Add 1 tsp. salt.
3. The solution is placed on gas and heated.
4. Products are immersed in it, brought to a boil and boiled for 15 minutes.

After this, jewelry and cutlery should be rinsed and polished with suede.

How to clean gilding on silver so that it does not peel off. Preparing your jewelry for cleaning

Products with complex configurations (watches, bracelets, chains) are best disassembled if possible. It is advisable to perform such actions if there are pendants. They are removed because in the areas where the links are attached, the coating is darker first (subject to mechanical stress). Then they continue preparing for cleaning, because you need to remove greasy stains and dust:

• processing with lint-free rags, using microfiber, flannel: the dry method is welcome, but most often surface dirt cannot be removed, so it is permissible to slightly moisten the rag;
• applying alcohol or turpentine - this method is used if there are difficult stains on the gilded silver.

Cleaning gold-plated silver

Table: semi-professional cleaning products. Price

There are a fairly large number of products that have been developed to preserve the appearance of jewelry. You need to consider not only ways to clean gold plate at home, but also choose products from the range of products for cleaning jewelry:

These preparations can be used to clean jewelry purchased on the Sokolov website or any other, as well as those made tens and hundreds of years ago (during the times of the USSR or Tsarist Russia).

Jewelry cleaning products

A little history

Cupronickel as such does not exist in nature: in fact, it is a group of compositions made of copper with the addition of nickel, iron, zinc, manganese and some other metals. Most often it is an alloy of copper and nickel, which has its own specific features and properties. According to historical sources, it was invented in China in the 8th century BC and given the sonorous name “pakfong”. All attempts to unravel the composition of “Chinese silver” by European alchemists were unsuccessful: only by the beginning of the 19th century did mass production of nickel silver begin in Germany. At first, the European nobility considered such dishes to be “the dishes of the poor,” and therefore still preferred dishes made of other metals - gold and silver. Only by the 20th century did production increase its speed everywhere. The attractive appearance of cupronickel was used to make cutlery, candlesticks, jewelry and other decorative elements. Wear-resistant, easy to maintain and not too expensive, the alloy is appreciated and actively used in household use.

Interestingly, psychologists consider cupronickel tableware to be beneficial for the psyche. The unobtrusive, calm, noble shine of the alloy calms the nervous system, relieves tension and sets you to a calm rhythm.

Why methods for silver and gold are not suitable

Silver, gold and precious metal plating are materials with different properties. Even gold plating can behave differently than gold, which is due to the small thickness of the surface layer, a combination with Ag. When products designed for one type of metal are used for other purposes, they often damage the jewelry.

You should choose universal semi-professional products; the label should indicate that the product is suitable for cleaning gold and silver.

How to clean gold-plated silver at home quickly and effectively with stones

Most available products are usually recommended for cleaning certain products. If there is a stone on the jewelry (pearl, emerald, cubic zirconia, etc.), so that it does not become cloudy, but shines, such items should not be soaked or cleaned with soda. Toothpaste, boiling water, as well as acids and alkalis are other options that can harm inserts on jewelry. If you are choosing a method for cleaning gold-plated silver, you should consider the most suitable options:

• soap solution: detergent is dissolved in warm liquid, a silver item with gold plated is rubbed with the product, then rinsed with water;
• semi-professional special preparations: when choosing, you should read the composition; in the case when you need to clean jewelry with stones from darkening, you need to consider not only products for silver and gold (universal), first of all, purchase those of them whose label says that it is acceptable care for stones on jewelry.

CARE OF GOLD-PLATED PRODUCTS

To decorate dishes and stainless steel souvenirs, they are often coated with pure gold (24 carats), in the form of stripes and patterns, which naturally significantly increases the cost of the dishes. Abroad, 100% gold is classified as 24 carat fineness, which in Russia is designated as 1000 fineness. Gold is applied using the galvanic method and it is technically impossible to cover the product with gold of a lower fineness.

Cleaning of gold-plated products is carried out in various ways:

• To remove dirt from a gold-plated surface, you need to wipe it with a cotton swab dipped in turpentine.
• The tarnished surface of a gold-plated item can be refreshed by gently wiping it with a flannel cloth moistened with a mixture consisting of 1 tablespoon of liquid “Whiteness” and 1 egg white.

Old tips for cleaning gilding:

• It is necessary to clean gilding (especially on wood) very carefully. First, remove all dust from the gilding, then wipe the gilding carefully with a soft sponge or cotton wool slightly moistened with alcohol of wine or turpentine.
• To clean gilding, you can also use strong beer or a mixture of ammonia (10 parts) and soap solution (40 parts).
• A good remedy: egg whites, which you use to carefully wipe the product with a flannel napkin.
• Cover the gold with pure wine vinegar, after 5 minutes, rinse carefully with water and let dry (without wiping with anything).

How to clean a gold plated watch

Gentle methods:

• dry cleaning - done with a lint-free cloth;
• wet processing - you need to soak a cotton pad in water, remove excess water, rinse the watch case;
• toothpaste - apply only to a flat surface, as it can get between the links of the bracelet, from where the product will be difficult to remove.

When none of the methods help, polish the watch using WD40 lubricant.

Gold plated watch

Preliminary stage

First, rinse the product under the tap and wipe it with a soft cloth or cotton pad. Then do one of the following:

1. Prepare a solution of 1 liter of water and 2 tbsp. l. table vinegar. Place the item in a container with this liquid for 15–20 minutes.
2. Soak a cotton pad in rubbing alcohol and wipe the surface several times.

Note! If the product has just begun to fade, you can do without preliminary actions.

Question-answer section

Is gold-plated silver jewelry?

Expert opinion

Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich

Jeweler 6th category

If the product is made of noble metal, it cannot be considered costume jewelry. Such jewelry is considered precious because it is most often made from 925 sterling jewelry alloy.

What to do if the gold plating peels off after cleaning?

Expert opinion

Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich

Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop

Gradually, the yellow coating wears off, and silver appears in some places. This is a reason to contact a jeweler to restore the surface layer. If such a result is a consequence of improper cleaning, it is still possible to save the item. The jeweler will remove the remaining coating and apply a new layer.

How expensive does a jeweler's cleaning service cost?

Expert opinion

Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich

Jeweler 6th category

Much depends on the region and the prices of the master himself. The type of product and type of metal are also taken into account. Taking into account the initial data, the jeweler chooses a method for cleaning the item. But most often the cost of such a service is 200-300 rubles.

How to clean gold-plated spoons from blackness at home?

Expert opinion

Andrey Seleznev

Chemist-technologist, Volgograd

Items with a smooth surface (like cutlery) are easiest to clean using toothpaste, but this will take time. When deciding how to care for gold-plated silver, choose a soap solution and turpentine. Even ammonia, saline and soda solutions will do. The latter options are even preferable, since all contaminated items can be soaked in a liquid solution.

Gold-plated silver cutlery

How to clean a gold plated chain, a gift from my husband?

Expert opinion

Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich

Jeweler 6th category

It is recommended to use solutions. Paste-like substances may remain in areas of complex configuration, since the gold-plated chain has many links. It is permissible to use a product based on ammonia, soda, salt, beer. Protein and toothpaste are not the best choice in this case.

Is 925 gold plated silver erasable or not?

Expert opinion

Andrey Seleznev

Chemist-technologist, Volgograd

Any coating tends to become thinner and disappear over time. This also applies to gilding. Its thickness is 1-2 microns. This is a small value, so it is not recommended to frequently subject the product to mechanical stress.

Gilded silver earrings with diamonds, how to wash them?

Expert opinion

Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich

Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop

Stones in jewelry are almost always cleaned with mild detergents (soap solution). However, a diamond is hard, and therefore it is permissible to remove contaminants using fine powders. But they can accidentally damage the gilding, so you should still choose pastes or solutions.

What not to do

There are a few points you should remember:

1. Do not use compounds with abrasive particles . Chalk, tooth powder, etc. They clean the surface well, but leave scratches. Over time, the gold plating layer becomes damaged.
2. Do not store wet dishes . Wipe cutlery dry after use and washing. Use soft, moisture-absorbing fabric.
3. Remove light stains with a suede cloth or jewelry napkin . This will not only clean the surface, but also polish it.
4. Do not expose metal parts to water . Sometimes the product has an element made of ordinary metal (most often it is a chain clasp). When cleaning, do not immerse this part in the solution to avoid causing corrosion.

Recommendations for the care and storage of gold-plated silver jewelry

Tips to help increase the service life of gold-plated jewelry:

• they should not be stored in a room with high humidity;
• you need to keep gold-plated items away from heat sources;
• you cannot wear such things while jogging or playing sports in the gym;
• if you plan to cook food, you should also remove gold-plated items;
• It is recommended to keep jewelry of this type separately from the rest in a closed case or box;
• Jewelry is cared for using the dry or wet cleaning method.

Javel water and protein

Another effective remedy to help clean gold-plated items. Javel water can be purchased in specialized stores or marked as “White”. The sequence of actions is as follows:

• beat 1 egg white - with a fork, whisk or mixer;
• add 1.5 tbsp to it. l. "Whiteness" or Javel water;
• Place the decoration into the resulting thick mixture;
• gently rub the product with a sponge;
• rinse.

Important!

You should work with gloves to avoid damaging the skin of your hands.