A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean White Gold

White gold is a popular choice amongst jewellery buyers. The jewellery is made by combining pure gold with other white metals, such as silver, palladium, nickel, or platinum. This is what gives white gold its distinctive silvery-white colour. Whilst white gold is great because it doesn't tarnish, it still needs to be regularly cleaned to maintain its white colour and shine. So, in today's exclusive guide by Miltons Diamonds, we will talk you through the steps of keeping your jewellery clean and sparkling, and where you can find an additional piece for your collection.

Why Should I Clean My White Gold?

To keep your white gold looking its best and keeping its quality, you must ensure you are maintaining it correctly, with regular cleaning and maintenance. Not keeping your white gold clean will lead to your gold looking dull and showing visible signs of wear. It will also lead to you needing to replate your white gold with re-rhodium a lot more often than if you were to partake in regular cleaning, which can be slightly costly. Ultimately, regularly cleaning your white gold jewellery keeps it looking at its best for longer, and saves you money further down the line as you won’t have to replate or replace any parts.

Step 1- Gather The Supplies

Firstly start by gathering all the necessary supplies you will need, these include:

• Mild, unfragranced soap
• Soft bristle brush
• 2 microfibre cloths
• Bowl of warm water

Start by lining your bowl with one of the microfibre cloths. This will prevent any scratching that could occur if your white gold comes into contact with the bowl (depending on the material).

Step 2 - Soak Your Jewellery

Place the jewellery into the bowl of warm water and allow it to soak for 15-20 minutes. This will give any dirt, oils and grime time to lift and loosen off the jewellery.

Step 3 - Begin Gently Scrubbing

Once the dirt has begun to lift off the surface of the jewellery, you can begin to gently scrub. Take a very soft bristle brush or a baby toothbrush, and begin to gently scrub away any dirt and oils off the white gold. Focus on any intricate designs your jewellery might have and make sure there is no dirt inside any small crevices in the design of the piece.

Step 4 - Rinse and Dry

Now that the jewellery has been fully cleaned, you can begin to rinse the jewellery while making sure there is no soap left. Rinse thoroughly before using your microfibre cloth to dry and polish the piece. You can continue the process until you are happy with your results.

How Often Should I Clean My White Gold Jewellery?

Keeping your white gold clean is essential, but how often should you clean it? This ultimately depends on how often you wear it.

• If, for example, you wear it as an everyday piece, consider cleaning it every three weeks to monthly to maintain its shine.
• If, however, you only wear it occasionally or for special events, you may want to consider cleaning it after every wear.

For instance, if you wear your white gold bracelet every 6 months, any oils and dirt that could have been collected on that one time wear will be sitting on your jewellery for another 6 months or until your next wear. Regular cleaning will prevent buildup and keep your pieces looking their best. If your white gold contains gemstones and diamonds, dirt and oils can build up around them, damaging their shine.

Should I Get My White Gold Professionally Cleaned?

You may want to consider getting your white gold professionally cleaned once a year - especially if you wear it every day. A professional will be able to inspect the jewellery for any damages such as loose stones, cracks or scratches and will be able to repair them for you. A professional will be able to clean all the hard-to-reach areas of your white gold that may be missed by at-home cleaning.

Maintenance

Over time, your white gold may need to be replated with re rhodium. This is because when you wear it every day, the rhodium finish (that makes your white gold shine so clearly!) can wear away and reveal the yellow-gold shade underneath. Some signs that your white gold is ready for a replate include:

• Yellowing or dullness of the white gold surface
• Visible scratches or wear marks on the jewellery
• Loss of shine and lustre

A professional will thoroughly clean your jewellery for you and replate it with re-rhodium where necessary, before polishing your jewellery to give it back that shine. You should get the white gold you regularly wear replated every 12-18 months to keep it in the best condition.

Looking for a New White Gold Piece? We’ve Got You Covered

Here at Miltons Diamonds, we have a wide range of white gold jewellery pieces for you to browse in-store and on our website. We also have an excellent clean, polish and replating service so you will be able to maintain the shine of your white gold for years to come. Whether you are looking for a new white gold ring, bracelet or pair of earrings, our team of dedicated professionals will be happy to help guide you through the process of finding the next addition to your jewellery box. We also buy and sell pre-loved white gold pieces. So if you want to go for a more sustainable approach, then our collection of pre-loved white gold is for you. Explore our collection today!