Does Real Gold Tarnish? What Causes It and How to Clean It

Does Real Gold Tarnish? What Causes It and How to Clean It

The short answer is yes — real gold can tarnish. But only very slowly, and it's nothing to worry about. In fact, a quick clean is often all it takes to bring your gold jewellery back to its original sparkle. Here's what you need to know.

Does real gold tarnish?

Pure gold is a noble metal — the least reactive of all the precious metals. In its purest form it simply doesn't react with the elements in the air around it, which is why it has been treasured for thousands of years without rusting or corroding.

Most gold jewellery, though, is not pure gold. Pure gold is a very soft metal, which makes it difficult to work with when crafting a ring or bracelet that needs to withstand everyday wear. To make it more durable, other metals are blended in to create what's called a gold alloy. 9ct gold, for example, contains around 37.5% pure gold with the remainder made up of alloy metals such as copper, silver, or zinc. It's these other metals that can slowly react with the environment — and that's what causes tarnish.

So whilst the gold itself isn't the culprit, the alloy content means your jewellery can develop a slight dullness over time, particularly if it's exposed to chemicals, perspiration, or stored away for long periods.

White gold tarnishes very differently — if your white gold ring has taken on a slightly yellow tinge, that's a different issue to do with rhodium plating, not tarnish. We cover this in our article on white gold.

What is tarnish?

Tarnish is where a thin layer of deposits builds up on the surface of the metal, giving it a dull, greyish, or darkened appearance. Importantly, tarnish does not penetrate the metal — it sits on the surface only, which means it can always be removed safely without damaging your jewellery.

What does tarnished gold look like?

Tarnished gold tends to lose its bright sparkle and deepen slightly in colour. Sometimes tarnished yellow gold can take on a slightly rosy hue — which is actually quite a good indicator that the piece needs a clean rather than that anything is wrong with it.

We see this regularly here at Carathea: gold items that have been on display under our shop lights for a while gradually take on that warmer, rose-gold tone, although it would take a long time. A dip in a gold cleaning solution and they come up absolutely beautiful — back to their full bright shine. It's always a satisfying transformation.

Heavily tarnished gold — with dark, mottled patches, like the image above — is quite unusual. Gold tarnishes so slowly that most people don't even realise it's happened until they give a piece a clean and are pleasantly surprised at how much brighter it looks.

Silver, by comparison, tarnishes much faster and more noticeably. Leave a silver piece out on the side and it can start to dull within days. Gold is far more forgiving.

What causes gold tarnish?

The main culprits are chemical reactions between the alloy metals in your jewellery and elements in the environment. The most common triggers include:

Sulphur compounds in the air
Moisture and oxygen
Perfume, hairspray, lotions, and cosmetics — particularly perfume, which is one of the worst offenders
Chlorine from swimming pools and hot tubs
Salt water
Perspiration and changes in body chemistry

On that last point — some people notice their jewellery tarnishing faster when they start a new medication, or even if they've been eating more acidic foods. This is because both can alter the natural oils in your skin and change your body chemistry. Keeping your pieces clean helps prevent any build-up that might also cause mild skin irritation.

How to remove tarnish from gold jewellery

A gold jewellery cleaner

A dedicated gold cleaning solution is the most effective and safest way to remove tarnish, especially for pieces set with gemstones. We stock a gold cleaning dip in the shop which works brilliantly — it's the same product we use ourselves on our display pieces. Simply dip, rinse, and dry, and the difference is remarkable. 

Warm soapy water

For a straightforward clean at home, warm water with a few drops of mild washing-up liquid works well. Soak the piece for 10–15 minutes, then gently clean with your fingers or a soft make-up brush. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely with a soft, lint-free cloth, then buff gently to restore the shine.

If you want to use a soft brush, a baby's toothbrush is fine for lower-carat pieces. For higher-carat gold, we'd be cautious — the higher the gold content, the softer the metal, and you don't want to swap a tarnished look for a scratched one.

Please don't use toothpaste — we know it's a commonly suggested trick, but it's too abrasive for gold and will scratch the surface.

Professional cleaning and polishing

For pieces with heavier tarnish or surface scratches, a professional clean and polish will restore them properly. We offer this in our workshop — just pop in and we'll take a look.

How to prevent gold jewellery from tarnishing

A little thought about when you wear and store your jewellery goes a long way:

• Put jewellery on last when getting ready — after perfume, hairspray, and lotions — and take it off first when you get home
• Remove jewellery before swimming, using a hot tub, or doing housework involving cleaning products
• Don't sleep in your jewellery — aside from tarnish, it's the most common way for chains to get broken or kinked
• Store pieces in their box or in a small zip-lock bag, which keeps air and moisture away from the metal
• A regular wipe with a soft jeweller's cloth keeps gold looking its best between proper cleans

Frequently asked questions

Does 9ct gold tarnish more than 18ct?

Yes — 9ct gold contains more alloy metals than 18ct, so it is slightly more susceptible to tarnishing over time. That said, both are low-maintenance and easy to keep clean with a little regular care.

Can I clean gold jewellery with gemstones in it?

Warm soapy water is generally safe, but always check whether your particular gemstones are sensitive to moisture or chemicals before soaking. A dedicated jewellery cleaning solution designed for use with stones is the safest option. If in doubt, bring it in to us and we'll clean it properly.

Why has my gold ring gone slightly pink or rose-coloured?

This is a classic sign of light tarnish — the copper content in the alloy is showing through slightly. A clean should bring it straight back to its original colour. Our gold cleaning dip is ideal for this. 

My white gold ring has gone yellow — is that tarnish?

No — that's a different issue. White gold is rhodium-plated to give it its bright white finish, and over time the plating wears away. It's a quick fix: we can re-rhodium plate rings in our workshop. Read more in our white gold article. [Link to white gold article]

How do I store gold jewellery to prevent tarnish?

In its original box, or in a small zip-lock bag, kept away from moisture and direct sunlight. Simple and effective.