As a proud owner of a Jaxxon gold chain, you know that taking proper care of your luxury jewelry is important. Gold chains like yours can last a lifetime if cleaned and stored properly. But over time, dirt, oil, and other gunk can build up on your gold chain, taking away from its brilliance and luster.
Don’t worry – with the right cleaning techniques, you can have your Jaxxon gold chain looking as good as new again. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps and best practices to clean your chain safely and effectively.
Why Regular Cleaning is Important
Cleaning your gold chain regularly is the best way to maintain its shine and extend its lifespan. Here’s why it’s so important:
- Removes dirt and grime: Dust, dead skin cells, body oils, smoke, pollution particles, and other debris can accumulate on your chain over time. Regular cleaning removes these deposits so your chain retains its brilliance.
- Prevents tarnishing: Gold can react with sulfur compounds in the air and environment, causing a yellowish or black tarnish film to develop on the surface. Keeping your chain clean prevents tarnish buildup.
- Reduces wear and scratches: Grit and particles that get trapped on your chain can cause tiny scratches each time you wear it. Cleaning removes these abrasive particles to prevent scratching and wear.
- Keeps links moving freely: Dirt and grime can clog small crevices in chain links, causing them to become stiff and impeding free movement. Proper cleaning keeps links loose and flexible.
- Maintains value: A scratch-free and lustrous gold chain holds significantly more value over time compared to a dirty, tarnished one. Regular care preserves investment value.
How Often Should You Clean Your Gold Chain?
Most jewelry experts recommend thoroughly cleaning your gold chain every 3-4 months. But the optimal cleaning frequency really depends on how often you wear it and the conditions it’s exposed to:
- If worn daily, clean every 2-3 months
- If worn a few times a week, clean every 4-6 months
- If worn occasionally, clean once or twice a year
- Clean immediately if exposed to dirt, chemicals, saltwater, etc.
It’s a good idea to give your chain a quick wipe down after significant wear or exposure to hair products, perfume, chlorinated water, and other substances. Regular maintenance can help preserve the longevity and appearance of your jewelry. Additionally, if you’re exploring different brands, you may want to compare care recommendations and maintenance tips provided by experts at GLD Shop vs Jaxxon to ensure you’re following the best practices for the specific materials and designs.
Some additional tips
- Chains worn 24/7 may need more frequent cleaning
- Lengthy or intricate chains are prone to more buildup
- Clean extra diligently during hot and humid summer weather
- Visually inspect periodically for dirt buildup
Use your best judgment based on wear habits and chain condition. When in doubt, it’s always better to clean too often than not enough!
Safest Cleaning Solutions for Gold Chains
Picking the right cleaning method for your gold chain is crucial. Some solutions are too harsh and can damage gold over time.
Here are the safest and most effective cleaning solutions recommended by jewelry experts:
1. Mild Dish Soap and Warm Water
For regular cleanings, an old favorite stands the test of time. Mix a few drops of mild liquid dish soap like Dawn into warm water. Use a soft bristle toothbrush or jewelry cleaning brush to gently scrub the chain above a bowl to catch drips.
Rinse thoroughly afterwards and pat dry with a soft microfiber cloth. Dish soap cuts through oil, dirt, and grime without being too abrasive for gold.
2. Jewelry Cleaner Solution
Jewelry cleaner solutions sold at department stores and jewelers are formulated specifically for cleaning precious metals safely. They often contain mild detergents. Follow instructions on the packaging for best results.
Soak chains for the recommended time, gently brush with a soft brush, rinse, and dry. Jewelry cleaner solutions make the process quick and easy.
3. Ammonia and Water Solution
An ammonia and water solution is a traditional DIY home remedy. Mix one part household ammonia to six parts warm water in a bowl or cup.
Submerge the chain and let soak for 10 minutes. Remove and gently scrub with a soft brush, rinse, and pat dry. Ammonia is a mild alkali that helps lift dirt and oils.
Always use ammonia in a well-ventilated area. Never mix ammonia with bleach solutions as it creates toxic gas.
Step-By-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Chain
Follow this detailed step-by-step guide for best results when cleaning your Jaxxon gold chain:
Gather Supplies
- Cleaning solution (dish soap & water, jewelry cleaner, or ammonia solution)
- Small bowl or cup
- Soft bristle toothbrush and/or jewelry brush
- Soft microfiber cloth
- Clean towel
- Tweezers (optional)
Examine Chain Closely
Use a magnifying glass and tweezers (if needed) to inspect chain closely for built-up dirt and grime lodged in small crevices and links. Pay extra attention to areas that contact your skin the most.
Mix Cleaning Solution
If using dish soap or ammonia solution, mix up your cleaning agent of choice per the recommended ratios. For store-bought solutions, follow instructions on the package.
Soak the Chain
Place your chain into the bowl or cup with your prepared cleaning solution. For longer chains, you may need to loop it or coil it.
Let the chain soak for 5-10 minutes so the solution has time to loosen and dissolve the dirt and buildup.
Gently Scrub
After soaking, use your soft brush or cloth to gently scrub along the length of the chain above the bowl to keep the solution contained. Pay extra attention to scrubbing in crevices, links, and high contact areas. Avoid vigorous scrubbing.
Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse your chain very thoroughly under warm running water to remove all cleaning solution residuals. This step is important to prevent streaking or residue buildup later.
Pat Dry
Pat your chain with a soft microfiber cloth or towel to absorb excess moisture. Air drying is not recommended as it can leave water spots.
Inspect Results
Visually inspect the chain once more under good lighting to make sure it looks thoroughly cleaned with no visible dirt, grime, or cleaning solution left behind. Spot clean any problem areas if needed.
Store Properly
Finally, place the chain in a clean jewelry box or storage pouch to keep it protected until the next use. Proper storage prevents re-exposure to dust and grimes between wearings.
And that’s it! Just repeat this cleaning process routinely based on your chain’s wear frequency to keep it looking shiny and new. Taking proper care goes a long way in preserving your chain’s brilliance and investment value.
5 Tips for Safely Maintaining Your Gold Chain
Cleaning is central for caring for your gold chain, but there are some other tips for keeping it in great shape:
- Be gentle – Gold is a soft metal prone to bending and scratching. Handle your chain with care and avoid pulling roughly when putting on and taking off.
- Avoid harsh chemicals – Household cleaners, chlorine, perfume, hairspray and other chemicals can damage gold over time. Take your chain off before exposure.
- Store properly – Keep your chain securely in a designated jewelry box or pouch when not wearing it. Don’t just toss it in a handbag.
- Inspect periodically – Over time, links can loosen or need repair. Inspect closely every so often and have it professionally serviced if needed.
- Remove during physical activities – Protect your chain from dirt, chlorine, and impact by removing it before swimming, exercising, gardening, cleaning, etc.
5 Common Gold Chain Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
Cleaning gold chains is generally straightforward, but there are some mistakes that can potentially damage your jewelry. Here are 5 big no-no’s to avoid:
- Using bleach solutions – Bleach is far too harsh for gold and can permanently discolor or corrode precious metals very quickly. Never attempt to clean with bleach.
- Submerging in water – While rinsing with water is fine, soaking your chain in a full sink or pool can lead to damage from prolonged water exposure.
- Scrubbing aggressively – Scrub gently with minimal pressure to avoid scuffing or breaking delicate chains. Don’t use anything abrasive like a steel wool pad.
- Using ultrasonic or steam cleaners – The intense vibrations and heat can distort links, loosen stones, and warp chains over time. Not recommended for gold.
- Not rinsing completely – Failing to fully rinse off cleaning solutions can leave chemical residue on the metal and cause buildup over time.
Maintaining the Gold Purity
Gold chains can last indefinitely if their gold purity is properly maintained. Here are some tips for preserving the quality of the gold metal itself over time:
Understand Your Chain’s Gold Karats
The karat rating determines the gold content purity in jewelry. 24K gold is 100% pure gold, while lower karat numbers contain alloyed base metals for durability and color. Common karat ratings for chains are 14K, 18K, and 22K. Know your chain’s karat rating.
Avoid Contact with Chlorine
Chlorine from pools, hot tubs, and household cleaners can react with gold alloys and erode surface-level karats over time. Avoid wearing chains while swimming or cleaning. Promptly rinse off any accidental chemical exposures.
Don’t Expose to Extreme Heat
High heat, like from ovens or high intensity sunlight, can potentially damage the temper of gold alloys. Take chains off while baking, grilling, or sunbathing. Sudden temperature changes can also degrade gold.
Handle With Care
Gold is soft and scratches easily. Chains worn 24/7 and handled roughly tend to show purity loss sooner. Wear and store your chain with care, removing during rigorous activity. Inspect periodically for damage.
Professional Polishing
Over years of wear, microscopic amounts of gold can rub off chain surfaces, incrementally reducing purity. Periodic professional ultrasonic cleaning and re-polishing restores luster and refinishes surface level karats.
Replate When Needed
Eventually, heavy solid gold chains may need replating to restore original purity, especially in high-contact areas. Plating involves applying a thin layer of pure 24K gold over worn chain surfaces.
By understanding how to protect and maintain your chain’s original gold purity, you can enjoy it for a lifetime. Take care to limit chemical and heat damage, handle gently, and seek professional servicing when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use jewelry cleaning machines?
Jewelry cleaning machines and at-home ultrasonic or steam cleaners are usually too harsh for gold chains. The intense vibrations and heat can warp links over time. Hand cleaning is gentler and safer.
2. How do I clean woven or figaro style chains?
Use a soft brush to gently scrub along the braided links. Avoid submerging completely. Rinse and dry thoroughly so moisture doesn’t get trapped. Clean these intricate styles more frequently.
3. My chain turned my skin green – what does this mean?
Green skin discoloration means your chain is undergoing oxidation. This is common with lower karat golds. Remove the chain immediately and have it professionally cleaned and re-dipped to restore non-reactive gold surfaces.
4. What if my chain has gemstones on it?
Use extra care when cleaning chains with gems. Avoid soaking in solutions too long. Aggressive brushing can dislodge stones. Clean by gently wiping with a damp soft cloth instead.
5. How do I clean gold chains with diamonds?
Diamonds can attract oils, dirt and lotions. Mix a very mild soap and water solution and use a soft baby toothbrush to gently scrub diamonds only. Rinse and dry immediately. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners.
Conclusion
Caring for your luxurious Jaxxon gold chain doesn’t have to be a chore. With the proper cleaning techniques using mild solutions, a soft brush, and taking precautions against damage, you can easily keep your chain looking shiny and brilliant.
Among the essential tips for those considering a septum piercing, it’s crucial to be aware that proper maintenance involves regular cleaning every 2-4 months, based on wear patterns. Additionally, handle it gently, store it properly between uses, and inspect periodically for needed repairs, while steering clear of harsh chemicals and settings that can erode gold over time.
With the right care and maintenance, your quality gold chain will stay beautiful and retain its value for many years to come. Treasure and protect your investment by making chain cleaning an ongoing routine.
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