Cleaning gold after a pretty agressive acid test?

[MariMeow]

Hi! I took a chain bracelet for some repairing today. They performed an acid test first to see which grade of gold it was. The acid left pretty noticeable stains of all colors and I can't remove them with good old dishwasher soap.

I've read baking soda does a pretty good job, but I wanted to ask you guys what has worked for you.

Also, is the gold damaged now? I hope not

 

[Bron357]

Normally gold is acid tested by rubbing the item on a special stone (to get a "streak" of gold) and then dropping acid onto the stone. I think maybe the stain is from the soldering? I'm surprised the jeweller didn't clean it up for you. You need a silver cloth (it's a cloth impregnated with a chemical that removes tarnish).

 

[MariMeow]

Thanks, Bron! I wish they had done that. Instead, they dropped acid drops on the bracelet, which made the links tarnished and difficult to clean.

I'll look for the silver cloth you mentioned