What to do when Jewellery Oxidises

It is completely normal for oxidation* to occur in fine jewellery.  But when it does happen, what do you do?

*Oxidation refers to the “change in colour” that takes place over time. -- this may appear as a deepening or darkening of colours, or with the gold taking on a sooty, metallic grey tinge.  

Leave it as it is

Collectors of antique jewellery prize the oxidation on a piece as it gives it a special patina that can only be achieved with time.

Often, the patina increases the value of the jewellery piece as it gives prominence to the rich history of the piece. 

Some collectors of modern jewellery also appreciate this, believing that the oxidation lends the piece a gravitas. 

This is deeply personal and subjective - as the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

A D-I-Y Polish & Clean

If the oxidation is not something you prefer, there are many tools you can use to address it. 

Perhaps the most common tool to address oxidation in jewellery is the polishing cloth, which if a suitable solution, you may have received when purchasing your piece. This offers a simple and handy fix, especially when used whilst taking into consideration the care tips provided by your jeweller.

Diving deeper, it’s worthwhile to note that the techniques that the jeweller used to create a piece will determine the exact kind of cleaning techniques to use. 

The answers to these questions will influence the nature of the polishing and cleaning advice, and the kinds of tools to be used --

(i) Was the piece gilded with one or more types of gold?
(ii) What is the composition of the gold used in the piece?
(iii) Does the piece comprise porous gemstones like pearls or jade?
(iv) Are the gemstones used natural or treated?

If there is a specific piece that requires extra attention, we recommend consulting your jeweller for further guidance. 

A completely brand new coat of paint 

Sometimes, there is a desire for the piece to look as close as possible to what it looked like when it was first purchased. Depending on the design and the complexity of the piece, your jeweller may recommend that the entire piece gets disassembled, professionally cleaned, re-plated, and then reassembled again. This undertaking entails a thorough rehabilitation of the piece, and is usually only considered if the first two options are unsuitable.