How to Care for Your Vintage 18k Gold and Platinum Jewelry: A Practical Guide

Vintage 18k gold and platinum jewelry are enduring and precious treasures, but they still require special care to preserve their shine and beauty. Whether you own a gold ring adorned with diamonds or a collectible platinum necklace, regular and gentle maintenance is essential. Here are some practical tips for caring for your vintage gold and platinum jewelry.

1. Gentle Cleaning: Priority to Delicacy

18k gold and platinum are noble and resistant metals, but it is important to clean them carefully to avoid any damage:

• Use lukewarm water and a mild soap (such as a neutral soap without chemicals).
• Soak your jewelry in this solution for a few minutes.
• Use a very soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean details and settings.
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a microfibre or soft cotton cloth.

It is important to avoid abrasive cleaners which can dull the shine of gold or platinum.

2. Storage: Avoid scratches

Even though 18k gold and platinum are durable metals, they can still get scratched. Here are some tips for storing your jewelry properly:

• Store each piece of jewelry individually in a soft fabric pouch (velvet, silk) to prevent them from rubbing against each other.
• Keep them in a dry environment and away from humidity, to preserve their shine and avoid discoloration of the gemstones that may accompany the jewelry.
• Avoid prolonged contact with other jewelry that could scratch its surface, even if they are other gold or platinum pieces.

3. Avoid chemicals

18k gold and platinum can be affected by harsh chemicals like cleaning products, perfumes, or hairsprays. To prevent these products from altering the appearance of your jewelry, follow these tips:

• Apply your perfume, creams and cosmetic products before putting on your jewelry.
• Remove jewelry before cleaning, swimming or using chemicals.
• Although 18k gold is resistant to oxidation, jewelry with precious stones may be more sensitive and lose its shine.

4. Regular professional interviews

Even when well-maintained, gold and platinum jewelry may need professional servicing from time to time. Here's when to consult an expert:

• If you notice any deep scratches or loose setting prongs, take your jewelry to a professional for polishing or repair.
• Regular servicing ensures that the stones are properly maintained and that the jewel retains all of its strength and shine.

5. Limit daily wear

To preserve the beauty of your vintage jewelry, it's best to wear it sparingly, especially if you're very active. While 18k gold and platinum are sturdy, limiting their daily exposure to bumps, scrapes, and chemicals will prolong their shine. Save your most delicate pieces for special occasions.

6. Polishing: Do it with caution

Professional polishing can bring back the shine to your gold and platinum jewelry, but it should be done sparingly to avoid wearing down the metal too quickly. Platinum, in particular, is denser and less susceptible to wear than gold, but excessive polishing can still affect the structure of the jewelry.

By following these simple care tips, you can preserve the shine and value of your vintage 18k gold jewelry and other precious materials for many years to come. These pieces, full of history and character, deserve to be preserved with the greatest care. If you have any questions or need professional maintenance, do not hesitate to contact me. I offer tailor-made services to ensure that your jewelry remains as beautiful as the first day.