Care guide · Gold & silver
Caring for gold and silver jewelry: the right habits
Updated June 1, 2026 · 6 min read · By the Bague.tn gemology team
The 60-second answer
To clean gold, a bath of warm soapy water and a soft brush is enough. For 925 silver that darkens, use a silver polishing cloth and store it away from air. Avoid chlorine, toothpaste and abrasives, take jewelry off before showering, swimming and cleaning, and have stone-set pieces checked once a year.
Cleaning 18k and 21k gold
Gold does not oxidize, but it dulls under a film of sebum, soap and dust that kills its shine. The safest at-home method:
- Soak 10–15 min in warm water + a few drops of mild soap.
- Brush gently, especially under the stone, with a soft-bristled brush.
- Rinse in clean water (plug the sink!) and dry with a soft cloth.
21k gold is softer, so be even gentler — it marks and scratches faster than 18k. See our 18k vs 21k gold guide to understand the difference.
Caring for 925 silver that darkens
Silver naturally darkens in contact with air and sulfur: that is patina, not a quality flaw. To restore its shine:
- Rub with an impregnated silver polishing cloth (safest).
- For a deep clean, a non-abrasive store-bought silver bath.
- Wearing it regularly slows oxidation; leaving it exposed speeds it up.
Mistakes that damage jewelry
- Chlorine and bleach: they attack gold alloys — take rings off at the pool and when cleaning.
- Toothpaste and baking soda: too abrasive, they scratch metal and stones.
- Perfume, cream, hairspray: apply them before putting jewelry on.
- Ultrasonics: never on emerald, opal, pearl, turquoise or weakened settings.
Storing and servicing
Store each piece separately in a soft pouch, in a dry place — jewelry that knocks together scratches. Take stone-set pieces (engagement ring, wedding band) to a jeweler once a year: prong check, re-polish and, for white gold, fresh rhodium plating. All our pieces are guaranteed: see our authenticity guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I clean a gold ring at home?
- Soak the ring for 10–15 minutes in warm water with a few drops of mild soap. Gently brush it, especially behind the stone, with a soft-bristled toothbrush, rinse under clean water and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid boiling water and abrasive products.
- Why does my silver jewelry turn black?
- 925 silver oxidizes naturally in contact with air, humidity and sulfur (perspiration, perfumes, household products). This darkening — called patina — is not a defect: it comes off with a silver polishing cloth or a suitable bath. Wearing it often and storing it away from air slows it down.
- Can I clean a diamond-set piece like any other?
- Diamonds tolerate soapy water and gentle brushing well, which removes the film of grease that dulls their sparkle. Softer or porous stones — emerald, opal, pearl, turquoise — dislike prolonged water, ultrasonics and detergents: clean them only with a slightly damp cloth.
- Which products must I avoid?
- Avoid bleach and chlorine (swimming pools), which attack gold alloys; toothpaste and baking soda, too abrasive and scratching metal and stones; ultrasonic cleaners on fragile stones or weakened settings; and perfume, cream and hairspray applied while the jewelry is already on.
- How often should I take jewelry to a jeweler?
- Once a year for daily-worn pieces (engagement ring, wedding band): the jeweler checks the prongs, re-polishes the metal and, for white gold, re-applies the rhodium plating that restores brightness. Have it checked immediately if a stone moves or you hear a rattle.
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