Is this gold tarnished or intentional?

[nala]

I didn’t know gold could tarnish and am wondering if it can be or should be plated again? I would not want to change the color and am afraid that it will. Thoughts?

 

[pearlsngems]

Gold itself does not tarnish but most jewelry is not made from 24K gold, but rather an alloy-- i.e. a mixture of gold with other metals, some of which can tarnish.

All you need to remove the tarnish is a cloth or pad impregnated with a tarnish removing compound (one brand I like is called Sunshine cloth). Do you have a silver polishing cloth?

 

[nala]

Gold itself does not tarnish but most jewelry is not made from 24K gold, but rather an alloy-- i.e. a mixture of gold with other metals, some of which can tarnish.

All you need to remove the tarnish is a cloth or pad impregnated with a tarnish removing compound (one brand I like is called Sunshine cloth). Do you have a silver polishing cloth?

I do have a silver polishing cloth! Ty!

 

[Karl_K]

hmm sorry someone was burning their food, fire alarm was going someplace but it stopped so I am back
Soak in warm water with dawn soap, swoosh around some with fingers in plastic glass.
Ideally blow off with canned air.

It looks dirty and it is scratched from either improper cleaning or storage, or just wasn't polished that well to start with.
Consider a professional steam clean and polish.

I can see the dust on it and that dust will scratch it up even worse if you rub it with something.
If your going to try a polishing clothe make sure its completely dust free first and the clothe has no embedded dust.

 

[pearlsngems]

It's certainly always a good idea to rinse and dry the item first if it's dirty.
I routinely use a polishing cloth on my jewelry and find it works well. Yellow Sunshine cloth if it's a bit scratched and Blue if it's just a bit tarnished. I store the polishing cloths in a clean plastic bag.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

hmm sorry someone was burning their food, fire alarm was going someplace but it stopped so I am back
Soak in warm water with dawn soap, swoosh around some with fingers in plastic glass.
Ideally blow off with canned air.

It looks dirty and it is scratched from either improper cleaning or storage, or just wasn't polished that well to start with.
Consider a professional steam clean and polish.

I can see the dust on it and that dust will scratch it up even worse if you rub it with something.
If your going to try a polishing clothe make sure its completely dust free first and the clothe has no embedded dust.

Sorry Karl.
1. the glues in boxes often attack gold alloys, especially 14K and 9-10K.
This is mostly a problem if the box is closed for a long time, or left in a hot place - sunshine, near heater etc.
2. the silver cloth is the best idea. You may not get into all the tight spots but that can add character if there is a little darkness in those spots (patina).
3. then clean it with very hot water, a dash of ammonia and dish detergent.
Use a stiff toothbrush.

 

[nala]

It worked!!! I had already rinsed it and cleaned it before and then I did the silver polishing cloth! Yay! Ty all!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

It worked!!! I had already rinsed it and cleaned it before and then I did the silver polishing cloth! Yay! Ty all!

clean it again now

 

[Calliecake]

Thank you for starting this thread Nala and for the tips @Karl_K, @pearlsngems and @Garry H (Cut Nut). I have a ring that my mom gave me about 20 years ago that looks awful now. My mom bought the ring around 50 years ago. I believe it’s 9 or 10 carat gold. I like patina but wish it wasn’t quite so dark. I was thinking of sending it to David Klass and seeing if he could make a replica of the setting but would prefer keeping it in it’s original setting for sentimental reasons. It’s funny, I never liked the ring when I was younger and love it now.

@stracci2000, Do you know if dish washing liquid will hurt a cameo?

 

[stracci2000]

@stracci2000, Do you know if dish washing liquid will hurt a cameo?

Is it a shell cameo? If it is grimy, then a quick but gentle scrub with mild soap (soft toothbrush,) and a good rinse shouldn't hurt it.

 

[Calliecake]

Thank you @stracci2000, I believe its a shell cameo. It’s not grimy or even dirty looking. It’s the gold that looks awful. I’m going to order the polishing cloth @pearlsngems suggested too. If that doesn’t work I will probably ask Davis Klass to make an exact replica of the setting and hopefully he can remove the cameo without damaging it and reset it.

 

[pearlsngems]

@Calliecake, Since the setting is sentimental, could you have the cameo removed for cleaning of the gold, and then replace the cameo in the original setting?

For gold and silver jewelry items that can tolerate it (and if I don't want to retain the patina) I like to use Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda. This is sodium carbonate -- not bicarbonate. It is much more alkaline than baking soda.

I set a kettle to boil, then line the bottom of a large Pyrex measuring cup (or any non-aluminum pot) with aluminum foil and add 2 rounded tablespoons of the sodium carbonate. Pour in some hot water and stir to dissolve. Add the jewelry you want to remove tarnish from. The jewelry has to be in contact with the foil. A chemical reaction occurs that removes the tarnish. You may need to use a soft brush if the tarnish is very bad. Remove with a fork or tongs.
Rinse and you're done!

I would not use this method for any porous gems (opal, turquoise, pearls) or for any settings or stones that can't take the heat. Nor for plated metal.

 

[Calliecake]

Thank you so much @pearlsngems.