CLEANING GOLD ORNAMENTS

Depends on whether it's gold plate or solid gold. Usually ultrasonic treatment in detergent will do it, or in a weak acid.

Dangerous Bill

A very handy and safe way to clean precious metals is to use a drop of liquid soap for fine washables (around here, Ivory liquid, Zero, Woolite etc That is the liquid soap used to hand wash silk or wool garments.) Apply the liquid soap undiluted on the metal. Rub the tarnished area gently with the soap, then rinse in tepid water and dry with a soft cloth.

This is very effective for cleaning silver, but it was first recommended to me as a burnishing soap by a goldsmith. The soap approach is safe for all pearls and semi-precious stones in jewelry, and avoids any risk of damage by harsh chemicals or shattering delicate stones with ultrasonic.

Using biodegradable cleaning solutions are quite effective in cleaning gold ornaments,its free from toxic chemicals that is usually found in cleaning agents. Plus its not harmful to the environment too!!! 12/23/2009

April

Sodium bicarbonate solution, then rub with Al foil.

For gold, the bicarb will dissolve grease and oil, allowing "muck" to come off and leave it shiny.

As gold will have negligible oxidation, the chemical reaction of the Al foil won't do much. It will reduce sulphide films back to metal.

For silver and copper the Al foil reacts with the bicarb and the oxide/sulphide etc film involved in tarnishing. The result is the tarnish being reduced, depositing the metal back on the surface, while the Al goes into solution.