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GOLD
Gold and silver score only 2 to 4 on the Moh's scale of hardness, sand is 7 on the Mohs scale, which means your precious metal is softer than sand and can be easily scratched. Hence they require extra care in keeping them in good conditions.
Generally, the higher the carat weight of gold, the softer the metal (gold is a soft metal). So that 9ct gold, being alloyed with other metals tends to be less resistant to scratching than say 22ct gold. This is why some recommend that you should wear rings of a similar quality together (e.g. wedding and engagement rings).
Because gold is a soft metal and some manufacturers use this feature to "stretch" out the metal to produce a "showy" piece, but don't take into account the need for strength. Do wear the jewelry piece with care otherwise it may go out of shape even on the first wear.
Most gold jewelry can be cleaned in warm soapy water using a toothbrush. High carat alloys (18 carat and above) are usually resistant to tarnishes. Lower carat golds, however, can be harmed by contact with chlorine bleach and cleaning chemicals. Best to take off your gold pieces when washing dishes or taking a dip in the chlorinated pool. Some household cleaners may discolor, damage or cause a film on the gold and dull the appearance. In this case, a professional cleaning solution should be used to clean and brighten up the jewelry. Buff the piece with a polishing cloth.
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Tips for caring your gold jewelry
· Gold is a soft metal and lacks tensile strength · Clean in warm soapy water with a toothbrush · Use professional cleaning solution when turns dull · Buff with a polishing cloth · Avoid contact with bleach · Do not wear into a swimming pool |
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Products you may need:
Jewelry Care Kit (cloth & cleaner) Gem & Jewelry Cleaner (for travel) Gem & Jewelry Cleaner Refill Gold Care Cloth Dry Wipes (disposable) Jewelry Care Cloth Jewelry Cleaning Machine Tarnish-resistant Pouch Jewelry cases |
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WARNING:
It is very important to choose a reliable and professional cleaning solution to obtain desirable result. Choose the right solution for your metal and read the instructions carefully. Using the wrong solution or not following instructions may cause irreversible damage to your jewelry. Choose only NON-TOXIC product which does not use ammonia or acidified Thiourea.
Ammonia is a colorless gas which gives a sharp odour. It enters the body when breathed in. It is intensely irritating to the eyes, nose and respiratory tract. It is corrosive to skin and toxic effects include lachrymation, respiratory distress, chest pain and pulmonary edema.
Thiourea, as contained in silver dip of some brands, is a sulfuric acid solution causes silver sulfide (silver tarnish) to revert to silver metal by an electrolytic action. The silver left behind is even more susceptible to tarnish forming. It is listed as a cancer causing substance by the Centers for Disease Control, USA. In California, it is under strict regulation that all products which contain Thiourea must state in their product labels that Thiourea is known to cause cancer. |
