STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

ViViDogWear · Kate Spade

Q for Jlear or any jewelry designers

atlgirl · Gucci

Is the chain (probably at the clasp; you may have to use a magnifying glass) stamped anywhere on it? like 14K or some such? Most solid gold is stamped. She might have said gold fill or gold plated...I'm not sure why someone would use a solid gold clasp on a non-solid gold chain, but it's always possible.

without knowing what material it is, it's hard to tell you how best to clean it. But I'll give it a try anyway:

- If it's gold fill, you can probably take a jewelry cleaning cloth (or put it in an ultrasonic, maybe) and gently clean it.

- If it's plated, there's really nothing you can do - the plating will continue to wear off.

- If it is 14 or 18 karat, then almost any cleaning method (with an appropriate jewelry cleaner) should help. Gold and gold fill don't really "tarnish", per se, but they can darken over time, or when they get dirty (i.e. sweat, body oils, etc) from wear.

HTH

kmd · Kate Spade

I'd take it to a jewelry store to find out for sure what the chain is because there a lot of jewelry cleaners that will damage plate and even gold filled jewelry. So, if you really love the piece, I think it's better not to risk ruining it.
How long have you had it? Solid gold normally doesn't tarnish for a long time.

I recommend http://www.connoisseurs.com/ for polish.
My site, which is located in my profile also has jewelry care tips under the FAQ page.

orlando · Nine West

If the chain is really gold, what looks like tarnish might be discoloring from body chemistry, oils sweat, etc. If so, a jeweler can usually remove it with an acid bath. It usually will brighten the piece back up. HTH!

lynnie · Chanel

My guess is that its gold plating and simply coming off. How much did you pay for the necklace? Real gold tends to be really pricey (especially once you factor in markups)- though if its a fine chain, might not be as much.

ViViDogWear · Kate Spade

lynnie wrote:

My guess is that its gold plating and simply coming off. How much did you pay for the necklace? Real gold tends to be really pricey (especially once you factor in markups)- though if its a fine chain, might not be as much.

Well that's the issue - I don't think it is gold plated or anything at all. There is no stamp of any sort. Nevertheless, I like the necklace - I paid abour $50 for it in back in December or November i want to say. I do wear it often so if is from my body oils or perfumes I could see that.

so... leads me to next question. If it is not gold at all - can I clean the chain (and with what) or will the color completely disappear too? TIA!

atlgirl · Gucci

You *might* try baking soda and a toothbrush, and see what happens. Try an inconspicuous spot first, like by the clasp. But most likely if it's base metal, it's just not going to look as nice as it started out. That's what usually happens with base metals.

It might be brass...thinking of how you said it's like 18 karat gold...if the baking soda doesn't work, maybe try a bit of brass cleaner (again, by the clasp), and see what that does?