The reasons why gold jewellery discolours and tarnishes

Gold jewellery to us Keralaites is more than an ornament. It resembles our wealth and prosperity, and we as mallus take pride in showing it off. But the tarnishing of our most valued asset over time is a matter of serious concern to us and we would want to know the reason behind this and how to prevent it.     

As we all know, the purity of gold is measured in Karats, 24 Karats being the purest. Pure gold is one of the most unreactive metals. This implies that pure gold does not corrode or tarnish. Unfortunately, it is too soft for the jewellers to cast it into fine pieces of jewellery when it is in the purest form. Hence, Gold alloys (e.g. addition of metals such as copper for rose gold) of different Karats such as 14K, 18K and 22K are used to make those pieces of jewellery that we mallus so proudly display on different occasions. The higher the Karat value the longer it takes to tarnish or discolour. 

Why does it tarnish or corrode?

Pure gold does not react with other chemicals, but when the metals in the gold alloy react with oxygen and sulfur in the air,  in the presence of heat and moisture, they tend to oxidise and form layers of oxides.

Oxidation is a process where a metal loses its electron and retains positive ions causing it to discolour. This causes the gold jewellery to possess a second skin made of oxides.  This is the main reason for the tarnishing of gold ornaments.

Chemicals present in hairspray, perfume, sweat, smog and various synthetic compounds can also accelerate this process of oxidation and discolour your gold jewellery.

How to prevent it?

It is best not to wear your gold jewellery along with other metals like silver or copper which may cause it to tarnish in the presence of moisture and heat. Avoid using it while working in the kitchen and other humid places where heat and moisture are prominent. Do not wear it when taking a shower or diving into a pool where chlorine is present. Chlorine can cause corrosion to the alloy metals causing your jewellery to lose its lustre. Also, choose your cosmetics carefully as there are chemicals in them that may cause discolouration.  

The second most common cause of gold jewellery damage is metallic abrasion. Store each piece in a separate soft cloth or paper. Also, keep them in individual compartments, especially during long storage.     

Cleaning your Jewellery

In case of discolouration, you can always clean it and bring back the lustre. All you need is a mild soap and warm water. Leave your jewellery soaked in it for at least three hours before you start cleaning it. With this, you can clean all the oxides off your gold jewellery. Make sure you use a soft brush and clean one piece at a time. Finally, use a soft cloth to wipe off any dirt left on its surface. Jewellery needs to be cleaned at regular intervals for a long-lasting lustre.

We at Rajakumari Gold and Diamonds are determined to provide you with genuine quality products. We started our journey in 1996 as a single outlet under the name ‘Rajadhani’ at Kallambalam. Later we adopted our present name as we expanded our outlets in the southern Kerala region. We own 10 plus stores across southern Kerala and we take pride in calling ourselves one of the most trustworthy and transparent Jewellery in Kerala.

It is the quality of service that we provide that will persuade you to retain the relationship between us. you will never regret your decision to purchase jewellery from us. We are ready for any occasion you might have in mind while purchasing. Our experts are trained to offer you advice while selecting your jewellery, be it gold, diamond, platinum, or silver.

We are one of the finest Jewellery in Kollam, with our store located at Paripally.  Come visit us there for a fulfilling experience. Our other stores are at Kottiyam, Kallambalam, Attingal, Pothencode, Trivandrum, Kattakada, Kaliakkavilai, and Thrissur.

We are holding steadfast to our fundamentals, the founding pillar of our business- transparency and trustworthiness. This not only gives our customers confidence in their decision to purchase from us but also gives us long-lasting relationships with them. We provide only genuine and handcrafted precision jewellery at our store. It imbibes trust in our customers that we value the most.

We are at the epitome of our bridal collection. That means we have all you might need under one roof. We keep the prices fair as a part of our policy. The jewellery you purchase from us are responsibly sourced products. We also offer fair labour exchange, zero deduction exchange, and guaranteed buyback. This will certainly make your life easier while dealing with us.

We are not just here to do business but to ensure satisfaction and value for your money.