How to remove rust from jewelry?

When investing in expensive jewelry, it's important to understand what happens to the metal over time so you can care for it properly. Pure gold is one of the best materials to use for maintaining its color because it never rusts or tarnishes. However, it's very difficult to create pieces from pure gold because it's far too malleable to hold its shape and protect itself from dents and bumps.

Pure gold is often mixed with metal alloys to make it easier to work with and more durable. But many types of gold chains and other jewelry can then rust for a variety of reasons, which is why we know how to get rid of this annoying rust.

Why do jewelry rust?

Pure gold and silver should never rust. However, gold and silver jewelry can tarnish—and likely will over time. That's why it's important to know how and when to clean your pieces. In theory, pure gold jewelry should never rust, but as we know, gold jewelry is almost always mixed with another metal to make it more durable.

Gold doesn't rust because the metal doesn't react with oxygen. However, if you invest in a men's gold-plated chain, there's a risk that your jewelry could begin to rust or tarnish over time.

No worries. It's quite normal for gold-plated jewelry to wear out over time, which is why it's less expensive than its solid gold counterparts. The gold plating can begin to flake off, revealing the underlying metal, which is susceptible to rust, or the underlying metal can react with the environment even though the gold is covering it. Proper cleaning and care of your jewelry will help you avoid these problems.

How to Remove Rust from Jewelry

• Baking soda and salt

If you notice some of your pieces starting to change color and are wondering how to remove rust from jewelry, there are a few good ways to go about it. Baking soda and salt can easily remove some of this rust without damaging the metal of the chain. Here's how:

1. Cover the inside of a bowl with aluminum foil, making sure the shiny side of the foil is facing up.
2. Next, heat a cup of water (making sure it doesn't boil) and pour it into the bowl. Add a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of salt.
3. Add your jewelry to the bowl. Each piece of jewelry should touch the foil when dipped.
4. Let it sit for five to ten minutes, depending on how rusty the jewelry is, then rinse it with cold water.

• Vinegar

Vinegar is another great household product that can easily be used to get rid of rust, but it can't help with tarnish. You'll need to use another cleaning method for this problem. Vinegar can potentially damage some gemstones and precious metals, so be sure to do your research before using this method. Here are four easy steps:

1. Pour one cup of vinegar into a bowl (use more if you have a large jewelry collection to clean).
2. Add your gold bracelets and chains to the mix.
3. Let these pieces sit for a few minutes to several hours, depending on their degree of rust and the materials they are made of. If you're unsure how long your pieces will last, simply check to see if the rust is starting to come off your jewelry.
4. Rinse with golden water and dry with a soft cloth.

• Dish soap

One of the most popular methods for cleaning jewelry and removing rust, using dish soap is easy and readily available. Here's what to do:

1. Pour a cup of hot water into a bowl and add two drops of dish soap, preferably unscented.
2. Add your jewelry to the water and rub it with your fingers or a soft toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas.
3. Rinse the soap off your jewelry in another bowl of warm water. Then use a soft cloth to dry it.

Protect your chains

After dropping a bunch of cash on a few spiked gold chains, the last thing you want is to find rust creeping into your jewelry. Taking care of your collection by storing it safely, cleaning it regularly, and scheduling a professional cleaning once a year can help your gold chains last much longer. Here at Emir ICE, we want you to feel like the king you are, which is why we have a huge collection of the best gold chains that are guaranteed to retain their high-quality finish for years to come.