Guidelines for Handling Gold Jewelry after contact with Chemical substances
If gold jewelry comes into contact with chemical substances (such as cleaners, cosmetics, swimming pool water, disinfectants, etc.), it may cause surface corrosion, discoloration or structural damage. The following provides systematic solutions from four dimensions: the hazards of common chemical substances, emergency response steps, subsequent repair methods, and preventive measures.
First, hazard analysis of common chemical substances
Acidic substances (such as vinegar, lemon juice, acidic cleaners)
Hazard: Dissolve the oxide layer or coating on the surface of gold, causing local whitening and loss of luster. Long-term contact may corrode the metal.
Typical scene: Not removing jewelry when cleaning the kitchen or handling fruits and vegetables.
Alkaline substances (such as soap, laundry detergent, strong alkaline cleaners)
Hazard: Reacts with impurities in gold (such as copper and silver) to form black oxides, causing black spots to appear on the surface.
Typical scene: Wearing jewelry when washing hands or doing laundry on a daily basis.
Chlorine-containing substances (such as swimming pool water, bleach, 84 disinfectant)
Hazard: Chloride ions form chlorides with gold, causing corrosion pits or discoloration on the surface. In severe cases, the metal structure becomes brittle.
Typical scenarios: Not removing jewelry while swimming or doing disinfection work.
Mercury-containing substances (such as thermometers, certain cosmetics)
Hazard: Mercury reacts with gold to form a white amalgam (alloy), causing grayish-white spots on the surface of jewelry that cannot be removed through regular cleaning.
Typical scenarios: Contact with damaged thermometers, use of mercury-containing cosmetics.
Organic solvents (such as alcohol, nail polish remover, essential balm)
Harm: Dissolve the gum on the surface of jewelry (such as the glue used for setting gemstones) or corrode organic gemstones (such as pearls and corals), causing the gemstones to fall off or the material to be damaged.
Typical scenarios: Wearing jewelry while cleaning a mobile phone screen or removing nail polish.
Second, emergency response steps after exposure to chemical substances
Remove the jewelry immediately
Action: Once jewelry is found to have come into contact with chemical substances, remove it immediately to prevent continuous corrosion.
Note: If the chemical substance is a strong acid or strong base, gloves should be worn when operating to prevent skin burns.
Rinsing and neutralization
Rinse with clean water: Rinse the surface of the jewelry with running clean water (warm water is better) for 1-2 minutes to dilute any remaining chemicals.
Neutralization treatment (depending on the type of chemical substance) :
Acidic substances: Soak in diluted baking soda water (1 teaspoon baking soda +1 cup of water) for 5 minutes to neutralize the acidity.
Alkaline substances: Soak in diluted white vinegar (in a ratio of 1:3) for 3 minutes to neutralize the alkalinity.
Chlorine-containing substances: Rinse immediately with plenty of water to avoid chlorine residue.
Note: Neutralization treatment is only applicable to minor corrosion. If the corrosion is severe, this step should be skipped and the product should be sent for repair directly.
Drying and preliminary inspection
Drying method: Gently dry the surface of the jewelry with a soft cotton cloth to avoid scratches caused by excessive wiping.
Inspection contents:
Are there any discoloration, corrosion pits or spots on the surface?
Check if the gemstones are loose or if the resin has fallen off.
Whether the fasteners, chains and other structures are deformed or broken.
Third, subsequent repair and handling methods
Surface cleaning and polishing
Applicable scenarios: Slight corrosion or oxidation (such as whitening or black spots on the surface).
Method:
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush dipped in neutral soapy water (pH 6-8) to gently brush the surface to remove any remaining dirt.
Gently wipe with a professional jewelry cleaning cloth (containing micro-abrasive) to restore the luster.
Note: Avoid applying excessive force to prevent scratches. The polishing frequency should not be too high (once a month is limited).
Professional electroplating repair
Applicable scenarios: Gold plating layer peeling off, severe surface corrosion.
Method: Send it to a professional gold store for re-electroplating and covering it with a new metal protective layer (such as 18K gold or rhodium gold).
Cost and time: The expense is approximately 50 to 200 yuan and it takes 1 to 3 days.
Gemstone reinforcement and replacement
Applicable scenarios: Loose gemstones or aging of the resin.
Method:
Send it to a professional jewelry store for laser welding to reinforce the claw setting or reapply the special glue.
If the gemstone is damaged, it needs to be replaced with a gemstone of the same specification according to the jewelry design.
Structural repair
Applicable scenarios: Chain breakage, fastener damage.
Method:
Welding repair: Use a laser or blowtorch to weld the fractured area and restore the structural integrity.
Component replacement: If the fasteners cannot be repaired, they need to be replaced with parts of the same model.
Fourth, preventive measures and daily maintenance
Wearing scene management
Avoid contact with chemical substances:
Take off your jewelry when doing housework, cleaning, swimming, makeup and other activities.
When using chlorine-containing disinfectants or bleach, store the jewelry in a sealed bag.
Special scene protection
When in contact with mercury-containing items (such as thermometers and certain cosmetics), wear disposable gloves.
After spraying perfume or hair spray, wait for it to evaporate before wearing jewelry.
Storage and cleaning
Store separately: Keep the jewelry in a dry and sealed jewelry box to avoid friction with other metals.
Regular cleaning: Wipe the surface with a soft cloth every month and have a professional ultrasonic cleaning every six months.
Professional maintenance
Electroplating refurbishment: Send to a gold store for re-electroplating every 1-2 years to maintain the surface luster.
Structural inspection: Check annually whether the fasteners, welding points and inlaid parts are loose and repair them in time.
Fifth, clarification of common misunderstandings
Misconception 1: "Gold does not react with chemical substances."
The truth is that pure gold (24K) has stable chemical properties, but most of the gold jewelry available on the market is an alloy (such as 18K gold containing impurities like copper and silver), which is prone to react with chemical substances.
Misconception 2: "Chemical corrosion can be repaired with toothpaste"
The truth is that toothpaste contains abrasive particles, which may aggravate scratches and fail to repair corrosion pits or discoloration.
Misconception 3: "It's fine to continue wearing after chemical corrosion."
The truth is that corrosion may accelerate the damage of metal structures, causing jewelry to break or gemstones to fall off, and it needs to be dealt with promptly.