How to clean gold jewellery, and can you shower in it?

How to clean gold in 2 minutes

Real gold doesn't rust or oxidise. If it looks a little dull, there's a film on it from soap, lotion or perfume. Here's how to lift it off:

1. Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and a drop of mild soap.
2. Let your piece soak for a few minutes.
3. Brush gently with a soft brush, like a soft toothbrush. Especially between the links and around the clasp.
4. Rinse with lukewarm water. Over a bowl, not over an open plughole.
5. Pat dry with a soft cloth and polish the gold with our polishing cloth.

Pieces with stones

Polish only the gold, not the stone. Freshen the stone with lukewarm water.

Pearls

The freshwater pearls in our pearl jewellery are real, and each one is slightly different. Put them on last, after perfume and lotion. Wipe them with a soft cloth after wearing and don't soak them in water.

What to avoid

• Toothpaste or bicarbonate of soda. They're abrasive and can leave fine scratches.
• Bleach, chlorine and harsh cleaning products. They make gold look dull and aren't good for the metal.
• An ultrasonic cleaner for pieces with small stones. The vibrations can shake little stones loose.

From this story Polishing Cloth for Gold Jewellery £5.00Shop The Polishing Cloth

Can you shower with gold jewellery?

Yes. Water does nothing to real gold. What matters is what comes with the water: soap, shampoo and shower gel leave a thin film, which makes gold look duller over time.

Always wear your jewellery in the shower? Then give it a polish with a soft cloth every now and then. Rings with stones are better taken off: that's where soap builds up most easily.

Swimming in the pool and the sea

• Pool and hot tub: take your jewellery off. Chlorine makes gold look dull and isn't good for the metal in the long run.
• Sea: better off too. Salt and sand aren't kind to fine jewellery, and in cold water your fingers shrink, so a ring slips off in no time. You won't find it on the seabed again.

Got it wet anyway? Rinse your jewellery with clean, lukewarm water and pat it dry gently.

Working out, sleeping and cleaning

• Working out: take rings off for weight training and ball sports. A bar or a ball can bend a ring, and your finger too. Take bracelets off for intense workouts to spare the clasp.
• Sleeping: small huggies and studs can usually stay in. Fine necklaces and bracelets can tangle or catch, so take those off at night.
• Cleaning and moisturising: take your rings off. Cleaning products, lotion and hair products make gold look dull.
• Storing: each piece separately, in a pouch or compartment. That way they won't scratch each other and necklaces won't tangle.

Wearing white gold? It has a fine rhodium layer that slowly softens with daily wear. More on that in white gold vs yellow gold.

Allergies and sensitive ears

Itching or red patches after a cheap pair of earrings? Nickel is the best-known culprit. All our jewellery, from gold earrings to rings, is nickel-free and suitable for sensitive skin. Our piercings are real gold too.

Got a new piercing? Follow your piercer's advice on cleaning and changing jewellery. If your skin keeps reacting, ask your doctor for advice.

Something wrong with your piece? Every TOV piece comes with a two-year warranty. All our care tips in one place are on our care page.

From this story

Essential Small Huggie Hoops (10mm) £199.00 Essential Huggie Hoops (12mm) £224.00 Essential Initial Letter Necklace £319.00

Gold Jewellery Real 14 and 18 karat gold, never gold-plated. Shop Gold Jewellery