If you’re a jewelry fanatic or simply have a valuable ring you keep on you at all times, nothing makes your heart skip a beat quite like noticing that the shiny gold surface has been covered with scratches. While frantically looking for ways to return your ring to its pristine state again, you might be left wondering: “Is it normal for such a valuable piece of jewelry to get scratched so easily?”. I’m here to put that question to rest once and for all.
It is entirely normal for your gold ring to scratch. In fact, gold is one of the most malleable metals, a quality that makes it excellent for creating intricate designs but also more prone to scratches. The good news is that, in most cases, these dents can easily be removed.
No precious metal is immune to wear and tear, be it platinum, palladium, or, in your case, gold. Luckily, however, a bit of polishing (which, in many cases, you can even do yourself) usually does the trick in terms of getting rid of visible scratches and dents. So, read on as I explain why gold rings scratch so easily, what you can do to get rid of visible damage on your gold jewelry, as well as some maintenance tips to help you keep your ring in excellent shape.
Do Gold Rings Scratch Easily?
Gold has historically been considered one of the most valuable metals on earth. After all, it does boast some impressive qualities, such as its oxidation resistance and the fact that it’s immune to corrosion, rust, and tarnish. However, one of its biggest downsides is its extreme softness, pronounced enough for the metal to be very difficult to be used in its pure state.
So, gold rings get scratched pretty easily, and that’s due to the metal’s very nature. That’s why you’ll rarely, if ever, find pure, 24kt gold used in jewelry meant for everyday wear. Instead, most jewelers mix pure gold with other, sturdier metals like zinc, copper, or silver to create the 14 and 18kt variants, which are most probably what’s used in the ring sitting on your finger.
However, even these versions are still soft enough to sustain visible damage from everyday wear. Even if you’re careful with you’re jewelry, exposure to the elements, as well as mild movements, are bound to create some scratches and indents in a gold ring’s surface. Luckily, there’s no shortage of approaches you can take when it comes to getting your ring back to its previous glory.
What To Do if Your Gold Ring Has Scratched?
So, you just glanced down at your ring and, to your horror, you notice that the once pristine gold band has been covered in scratches and dents. What now?
As mentioned, there’s no need to panic. Unless there’s a deep cut in the metal, a simple polish will likely get rid of all signs of wear and tear. If the process is simple enough, you can even attempt to do it yourself. However, before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s first take a look at your options for making your gold ring scratch-free again.
- Polish the ring yourself. As mentioned, this method only works if the scratches are shallow and small enough not to require a great deal of expertise. You can also place your ring in some tepid water and liquid detergent for a few minutes. Then, dry the metal off and go over it with a polishing cloth. Make sure to get a good-quality one from a reputable jeweler. Rub carefully to buff all visible scratches out.
- Use a jeweler’s rouge. If the scratches are too deep to be polished but not deep enough to justify spending close to $50 on a professional polish, you can try using a jeweler’s rouge. This is an abrasive compound you use with a buffer wheel to get rid of more stubborn indents and get your ring shining again.
- Take the ring to a professional jeweler. If the scratches are very pronounced or you tried the first approach, and it didn’t work as expected, it’s time to take your ring to a professional jeweler.
If you do end up polishing the ring yourself, be careful not to rub any gemstones in the process, as the movement can cause damage to them. That risk is even higher if the person administering the procedure is unqualified, so make sure to avoid any surface that’s not gold while polishing your ring.
Moreover, regardless of whether you’re trying a DIY approach or leaving the job to a professional, make sure not to polish your gold ring more than twice a year, as the process can wear the metal down if repeated too often, defeating the whole point of trying it n the first place.
How To Prevent Gold Rings From Getting Scratched?
Now that you got your gold ring scratch-free and shining again, you might be wondering whether there’s anything you can do to keep it in the best condition possible moving forward. I’m here to tell you that there are plenty of tips you can follow to keep your jewelry in pristine condition. Here’s what you can do:
- Avoid wearing your ring to the gym or when doing any type of manual labor.
- Don’t wear high-karat gold on a daily basis.
- Clean your gold ring regularly using warm water and liquid detergent (make sure you dry it thoroughly afterward).
- Avoid using brushes with hard bristles to clean your gold jewelry – you can simply let it soak for a few minutes instead.
- Don’t use harsh chemicals, toothpaste, or baking soda when cleaning your ring.
- If necessary, get your ring re-plated.
- Avoid contact with liquids.
- Store your gold ring wrapped in a soft cloth in a dry, cool, dark space.
Conclusion
It’s pretty common for gold rings to get scratched with regular use; after all, this type of metal is very soft. However, there’s no shortage of upkeep strategies that can help you make your ring all shiny and smooth again.
Like all other valuable jewelry, your gold rings require a bit of looking after to keep looking their best. So, if you notice signs of wear and tear on the metal, take the steps outlined above to get it sparkling again. To avoid repeating this process too often, look after your jewelry, as previously mentioned.
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