Does Gold Filled Ever Tarnish?

I've been getting a lot of questions lately about whether gold filled jewelry tarnishes. To be honest with you, the answer is yes, it can tarnish. While gold filled jewelry is tarnish resistant, it's not 100% tarnish free. But don't worry, with a little extra care, high quality gold filled jewelry can last 5-10 years or even more. Let's take a closer look at some common factors that can contribute to tarnishing.

  1. Pool and jacuzzi: The harsh chemicals and bleach in these environments can be tough on your gold filled jewelry, causing it to tarnish more easily.

  2. Beaches: saltwater can be quite abrasive to the surface of your jewelry, speeding up the tarnishing process.

  3. Beauty products: Beauty products are another culprit to watch out for. It's best to avoid direct contact between your jewelry and products like perfumes, lotions, and sunscreens, as they can accelerate tarnishing. A pro tip is to put on your jewelry as the final step in your routine to minimize exposure.

  4. Sweat and body chemicals: Believe it or not, Sweat and body chemicals can also play a role. Depends on different PH level of each person. With higher PH level in your sweat and body chemicals, your jewelry may be more prone to tarnishing. It's a bit of trial and error to see how your gold filled pieces react.

  5. Scratches: If your jewelry gets scratched and the gold layer chips off, it exposes the base metal underneath, leading to faster tarnishing. This is more susceptible to bracelets as we move our hands around on various surfaces.

If you know that you’ve sweat a lot or apply heavy sunscreens that day, it would be a good idea to remove your jewelry and give it a gentle rinse under warm water to clean your jewelry. Make sure to thoroughly dry it before storing it away, minimizing air exposure can help reduce the chances of tarnishing.

I've had some of my gold filled jewelry for over two years now. I wear them to shower, climbing and sleep, and they are all still in pretty good conditions. Just a little tip, I use baby body wash and gentle shampoo, so they are not too harsh to the jewelry. As a matter of fact, I think it helps clean the jewelry and wash away the dirt and grime.

In the next post, I will write more in depth article about tips to take care of your jewelry. Stay tuned!

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How To Care For Your Jewelry

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How To Identify High Quality Jewelry