Key points and frequency guidelines for regular Inspection of gold jewelry
Gold jewelry may experience problems such as wear, loosening or oxidation due to long-term wearing, contact with the external environment or its own structural characteristics. Regular inspection is the key to ensuring the beauty of jewelry and extending its service life. The following provides systematic guidance from four dimensions: inspection focus, frequency suggestions, operation methods and precautions.
First, the core points of regular inspection
Structural integrity inspection
Fasteners and connections:
Check whether the spring clasp and lobster clasp of the necklace and bracelet are firm and whether they open and close smoothly to prevent them from falling off when worn.
Check if the ear plugs of the stud earrings fit well to prevent them from being lost during wearing.
Welding point:
Observe whether there are cracks or false welds at the welding points of the chain, filaments and other parts, especially for jewelry with hollow or hollowed-out designs.
Embedding firmness
Touch the edge of the gemstone gently with your fingernail or a magnifying glass to check if it is loose. Observe whether there is any deformation or notch at the set and prong Settings to prevent the gemstone from falling off.
Surface and detail inspection
Oxidation and discoloration
Check the surface of the gold for dark red or black spots (oxidized dirt), or local whitening (possibly caused by contact with substances such as mercury and lead).
Scratches and deformations
Observe whether there are obvious scratches on the surface of the gold (especially on highly polished jewelry), or whether hollow jewelry has deformed due to compression.
Crevice dirt
Check the gaps in the hollowed-out, carved or inlaid parts for any dust, dander or cosmetic residue. Long-term accumulation may corrode the metal.
Wearing comfort check
Size compatibility
For rings and bracelets, it is necessary to confirm whether the size is appropriate. If they are too tight, it may cause poor blood circulation; if they are too loose, they are prone to slipping and being lost.
Skin reaction:
Check if there are any allergic symptoms such as redness, swelling or itching at the wearing area, which may be related to residual cleaning agents, glue or metal impurities in the jewelry.
Second, scientific suggestions on the frequency of inspection
Wear jewelry on a daily basis
Daily inspection:
Before wearing, quickly check if the fasteners, ear plugs and other key parts are loose, especially before high-activity scenarios such as sports and commuting.
Weekly in-depth inspection
Use a magnifying glass to observe whether the inlaid gemstones are loose, clean the dirt in the crevices, and avoid long-term accumulation.
Don't wear jewelry often
Monthly inspection
Even if it is stored, it should be taken out every month to check whether the structure is damp, oxidized or deformed, and at the same time, it should be ventilated and dried.
Check after special scenarios
After contact with chemical substances:
After swimming, soaking in hot springs or using cosmetics, immediately check whether there is any corrosion or discoloration on the surface of the jewelry.
After collision or compression:
If jewelry accidentally drops or is squeezed by heavy objects, a comprehensive inspection should be carried out to check if the structure is damaged (such as dents in hollow bracelets or broken chains).
Seasonal inspection
Rainy season/Summer
Check every two months, with a focus on checking for oxidation, mold or dirt accumulation caused by sweating.
Dry winter
Check every three months to pay attention to size fit issues caused by dry skin (such as the ring becoming loose due to thinner fingers).
Third, check the operation methods and tools
Basic inspection tools
Magnifying glass (5-10x) : Used to observe tiny cracks, loose gemstones or oxidation spots.
Soft-bristled brush/cotton swab: Clean the dirt in the crevices and check if there is any residue after cleaning.
Vernier caliper: Measure the inner diameter of the ring to confirm if the size has changed (suitable for metal deformation caused by long-term wearing).
Step-by-step operation guide
The first step: Initial appearance inspection
Observe the jewelry as a whole under natural light to check for obvious deformations, scratches or discoloration.
Step Two: Detailed inspection
Use a magnifying glass to inspect each fastener, welding point and setting area one by one, and gently touch the edge of the gemstone to test its firmness.
Step 3: Functional testing
Repeatedly open and close the fasteners and ear plugs to confirm their flexibility. Gently shake the set jewelry and listen for any abnormal sounds of loose gemstones.
Step 4: Cleaning verification
After cleaning with a soft-bristled brush, observe whether there is still dirt remaining in the crevices to determine if the cleaning is thorough.
Fourth, Common Problems and Countermeasures
The fastener is loose.
Temporary handling: Wrap the connection points of the fasteners with thin thread to increase friction (only for emergency use).
Professional repair: Send to a gold store to replace the spring buckle or reinforce the welding points.
Loose gemstones
Stop wearing immediately: To prevent the gemstone from falling off or being lost.
Professional reinforcement: Choose to re-inlay or reinforce the claw head based on the inlaying method (claw inlaying, overlaying).
Oxidation discoloration
Mild oxidation: Dip a soft cloth in a small amount of toothpaste (non-gel type) and gently rub. Rinse with clean water and dry.
Severe oxidation: Send to a professional gold store for laser cleaning or re-electroplating.
The size is not appropriate
Ring ring modification: Adjust the inner diameter by cutting gold, adding gold or laser welding (professional equipment required).
Bracelet expansion: Open bracelets can be slightly bent for adjustment, while closed bracelets need to be cut and re-welded.
Fifth, check the precautions
Avoid disassembling by yourself
Especially for complex-structured or inlaid jewelry, non-professional operation may lead to irreversible damage.
Record the inspection situation
It is recommended to take photos with a mobile phone to record the condition of the jewelry for subsequent comparison (such as whether the oxidation range has expanded).
Carry it out simultaneously with maintenance
After the inspection, depending on the condition of the jewelry, targeted cleaning, drying or anti-oxidation treatments can be carried out (such as applying clear nail polish to protect the easily worn areas).
Professional maintenance is preferred.
If cracks, deformations or loose gemstones are found, they should be sent to a regular gold store for handling first to avoid aggravating the problem due to delay.
Sixth, preventive maintenance suggestions
Store by classification
Store jewelry by material and structure to prevent hard jewelry (such as platinum) from scratching gold.
Wearing scene management
Avoid wearing gold jewelry during vigorous exercise, household chores or contact with chemicals (such as pool water, hair dye).
Regular professional maintenance
Every 1-2 years, it should be sent to a gold store for ultrasonic cleaning, electroplating refurbishment or structural reinforcement to maintain the best condition of the jewelry.