Gold is a valuable and significant metal that can be crafted into beautiful jewelry items ranging from earrings to precious rings, bracelets, and chains. Not only is gold jewelry gorgeous, but it is also considered to be better quality than other types of metal jewelry. It would be ideal to have jewelry that looks as good as new for as long as possible. Can a resilient metal like gold retain its beauty, or will it lose its luster and vibrant color over time?

The only gold that won’t tarnish is 24-karat solid gold. Gold-filled jewelry, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry can tarnish over time if you don’t take proper care to preserve the gold. Gold mixed with other metals can eventually fade or develop a tarnish film if it is exposed to moisture, oxygen, and sulfides. 

Gold jewelry is expensive and is, therefore, a long-term investment for most people. Knowing whether gold jewelry tarnishes will help you to take the correct steps in taking care of the gold so that it can look brand new for as long as possible. 

Different Types Of Gold 

Several types of gold are used in making jewelry and other gold accessories. It is very important to be well-informed about the different types of gold before you make a purchase. Unfortunately, not all types of gold do equally well standing the test of time, especially with daily use. The type of gold used will determine how long your gold item will last before it starts looking worn out. 

1. Solid Gold 

Solid gold is the most expensive gold type but also the highest quality. It is the purest form of gold, that is, it isn’t mixed with any other metals. However, solid gold is very soft and malleable on its own. Despite being 100% pure gold and beautiful, solid gold jewelry doesn’t necessarily have enough resilience to be recommended for everyday wear. The gold may end up warped and bent out of shape. 

2. Gold Fill 

Gold-filled jewelry is made by permanently bonding layers of gold to a base metal core through high pressure. Gold-filled jewelry is one step down from solid gold and offers good quality at a more affordable price. Gold-filled jewelry is labeled as hypo-allergenic and is, therefore, a great option for those who are allergic to metals. 

3. Gold Vermeil 

Gold vermeil is a thick layer of 10ct gold plating (at least 2.5 microns) over a pure silver or sterling silver base metal. The gold plating in gold vermeil jewelry is much thicker than in gold-plated jewelry. Gold vermeil jewelry lasts much longer since the gold layer does not rub off quickly. 

4. Gold Plating 

Gold-plated jewelry is made using an electroplating solution to coat a base metal like copper, aluminum, or nickel with a very thin layer of gold (usually 0.05% of pure gold). Out of all the different types of jewelry, gold-plated jewelry contains the least amount of gold and is, therefore, the most affordable. The main drawback, however, is that gold-plated jewelry won’t last very long before the gold layer begins to fade.   

Does All Gold Tarnish Over Time? 

Pure, solid gold is the only gold type that won’t ever tarnish. Gold, in its pure form, does not react with oxygen easily and retains its shine and color for a very long time. Pure gold jewelry pieces are rare, though, because alloys with other base metals make gold jewelry more robust and durable.  

Although solid gold won’t ever tarnish or fade, it is not necessarily the best jewelry option for everyday wear. Due to pure gold’s softness and malleability, fragile jewelry items like rings, earrings, and bracelets may bend out of shape with regular use. However, if you want a few statement gold jewelry pieces to wear for special events, solid gold jewelry is a good investment because it won’t ever lose its beautiful gold color and shine. 

Unfortunately, with anything other than solid gold, there is a chance that it can fade and lose its luster over time. Although tarnishing with gold items is rare, some types of gold are more susceptible to tarnishing than others. 

Gold-filled jewelry is one of the best types of jewelry for everyday wear. It is very robust and rarely tarnishes if you take care of it properly. It is much more affordable than solid gold and can maintain its luster for a lifetime. 

Because it contains thick layers of gold over a strong base metal, it can easily handle the wear and tear of daily life without any discoloration or fading of the gold layers. Gold-filled jewelry is the best option if you are looking for affordable yet durable jewelry that won’t tarnish. 

Gold vermeil is a good and affordable alternative to gold-filled jewelry. Although it contains less pure gold than gold-filled jewelry, gold vermeil very rarely tarnishes. The thick gold plating doesn’t easily rub off and is, therefore, great for everyday wear. The only time gold vermeil jewelry may tarnish is if the gold layer has rubbed off and exposed the core metal beneath. 

Gold-plated jewelry is the least expensive type of gold jewelry. However, with the lower pricing comes a disadvantage – gold-plated jewelry does not last long. It will tarnish over time because the layer of gold used is so thin (usually only 1 micron) that it will eventually rub off or fade. 

The gold layer itself won’t corrode, but the exposed metal beneath can corrode when exposed to water, chemicals, sweat, etc., leading to tarnishing. For this reason, gold-plated jewelry is the best option for only short-term wear or single occasions. 

Gold Purity And Tarnishing 

The higher the karats of gold, the more the gold. The highest purity of gold available is 24 karats, which is 100% pure gold. Any gold piece that measures lower than 24 karats is a gold alloy with a lower percentage of gold than pure gold. e.g., 18 karat gold consists of 75% pure gold with 25% other metals. 

The lower the karats of gold, the more susceptible the gold is to tarnishing. The gold has a very low reactivity level and doesn’t undergo discoloration, but the other metals mixed into the blend will eventually undergo oxidization and cause tarnishing. 

What Does Tarnished Gold Look Like? 

Tarnished gold usually has a darker hue than new, pure gold and appears to have lost its original brightness and shine. The gold will have a tarnish film on it that makes it appear discolored. 

Tarnishing is caused by the corrosion of metals, which can be caused by several factors. Tarnish can appear anywhere on the jewelry, so you may notice several tarnish spots that can vary between red, brown and black. 

How Long Does It Take Gold To Tarnish?

Solid gold lasts a lifetime and won’t ever tarnish. Gold-filled jewelry is next in line in terms of quality. Gold-filled and gold vermeil jewelry are both very high quality and very durable. Both can handle daily wear for between 10 to 30 years with proper care and maintenance. 

On the other hand, gold-plated jewelry lasts only about two years before the thin outer layer of gold starts to wear thin and tarnish, especially if worn regularly.  

What Causes Gold To Tarnish? 

A tarnish film forms when the sulfur and oxygen compounds within metals react with moisture and chemicals, e.g., sweat, water, alcohol (perfumes), acids, detergents, etc. Corrosion occurs on the surface of the metal and causes it to disintegrate and have a “rust-like” appearance. 

How To Prevent Gold From Tarnishing

If you have solid gold jewelry pieces, tarnishing won’t be a problem. However, to get the most out of other types of gold jewelry like gold-filled, gold-plated, or gold vermeil, here are a few best practices you can follow: 

  • Do not get your gold jewelry wet or leave it wet for long periods of time
  • Ensure you store your gold jewelry properly, so they don’t scratch or rub against one another. 
  • Store your gold jewelry in a plastic bag that has a tight seal that will keep out any moisture and heat 
  • Allow any perfumes or lotions to dry and absorb into your skin before you put on your jewelry – exposure to chemicals will speed up the tarnishing process  
  • Do not expose your gold jewelry to sea salt, chlorine, fruit acids, vinegar, or any other strong chemicals 
  • Remove your jewelry when you exercise and do not sleep with it on, thereby avoiding exposure to moisture and sweat
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How To Fix Tarnished Gold

If your gold pieces have tarnished, there may be a few to clean them and restore their beauty and shine. 

  1. Use a mixture of baking soda and boiling water. Leave the gold items in the solution to soak for no longer than 10 minutes. Rinse the gold under cold water and let it air dry. 
  2. Soak your gold items in a mixture of dish soap and warm water for about 15 mins. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to lightly scrub the gold. Rinse it with warm water and let it dry. 
  3. Submerge your gold items in a mixture of ammonia, mild soap, and warm water for about 10 seconds. Scrub the gold surface with a soft brush until the tarnish is removed. Rinse with cold water and let it dry. 

Conclusion 

Pure gold is an excellent investment because it won’t ever tarnish. Although they aren’t completely immune to tarnishing like sold gold, more affordable types of gold like gold-fill, gold vermeil, and gold-plated can stay shiny and lustrous for a reasonable amount of time with proper care.  

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