White gold is the combination of gold with other metals.It is usually plated with rhodium, and it is popular because of it's shiny appearance.There are some steps you can take to keep your jewelry looking great.Use warm water, detergent, and a soft cloth to clean your pieces and visit a jeweler if stones start to come loose.
Step 1: There are loose stones or broken clasps in jewelry.
Take your piece of jewelry and look over it.If you don't deal with loose stones or broken pieces before you put the jewelry in the water, you might lose something.Take your jewelry to a professional for repairs if you notice it is loose.Nothing gets lost along the way if you use a plastic bag to transport it.
Step 2: Warm water and dish soap can be used to soak your white gold.
You can use 1 to 2 cups of warm water with mild dish soap.Stir the water with your fingers or a spoon.The warm water and soap will clean your jewelry.Add ammonia to the soapy water if your jewelry is dirty.Do not use hot water to clean your jewelry.
Step 3: The jewelry should be put in the soapy water for 25 minutes.
The easy part is here.Place your pieces in the water, set a timer, and walk away.Don't soak your jewelry if it has pearls or onyx stones.Wrap the metal parts in a soft cloth that has been soaked in soapy water.
Step 4: Make a paste out of water and baking soda.
If you want to make a thick paste, use just enough water and baking soda in a small bowl.Remove the jewelry from the water and scrub it with a toothbrush.The baking soda and brush will make your pieces brighter.If your jewelry is dirty, you could sub out the water for white vinegar.
Step 5: Remove the soap and baking soda from the water.
You can stop rinsing when the pieces are shiny.To thoroughly rinse everything away, be sure to let water flow between the clasps.If you plug the sink or rinse the items out over a strainer, you won't lose anything down the drain.
Step 6: Use a microfiber cloth to buff the jewelry.
Rub the pieces until they are dry.In small areas that are hard to reach, spend time getting between clasps.The microfiber towel will dry the white gold.If you have a special cloth, you could use it.
Step 7: It's a good idea to wash your gold once a month.
If you have a piece that gets a lot of use, you may want to clean it every week.Set a reminder on your calendar for a monthly cleaning so you don't forget.Make sure to avoid abrasive cleaning products because they can cause rhodium to wear down more quickly.
Step 8: If soapy water does not work, use a white gold product.
Sometimes white gold needs something tougher than water and baking soda.Follow the manufacturer's instructions to clean your pieces with a spray designed for white gold.There are a lot of jewelry cleaning products that should not be used on white gold.
Step 9: If your white gold is turning yellow, you should have a jeweler replate it.
It's not uncommon for white gold to wear away over time, which will make your jewelry look worn down, regardless of how much you clean it.You can pay a jeweler to refresh the rhodium coating.Depending on what you are doing, replating will cost anywhere from 40 to 135 dollars.
Step 10: White gold can be found in the store.
Store it somewhere that it won't collide with other, harder, pieces.If you have a jewelry box, dedicate one section to white gold or wrap each piece in a microfiber cloth for extra protection.White gold should be kept away from high heat.Don't store it near a heating vent.
Step 11: If you are going to be swimming in chlorine, take off your white gold jewelry.
The chlorine will eat the rhodium.Don't wear your white gold pieces in the pool.If you are at a public pool, keep your jewelry in a bag or in the glovebox of your car.You should take off white gold when you shower.Hard water and soap scum can build up over time.
Step 12: Gloves should be worn when using cleaning products.
Chemicals can get behind mountings and cause them to degrade, which could cause stones to loosen.Take off your white gold rings before you clean if you don't want to wear gloves.