Pearls have captivated human beings for centuries with their timeless beauty and elegance. Renowned for their lustrous glow and delicate allure, pearls have become a symbol of sophistication and luxury. These natural treasures, formed within the shells of mollusks, have gained immense popularity as cherished ornaments. From ancient civilizations to modern fashion trends, pearls have adorned people's necks, ears, and wrists, enchanting with their exquisite simplicity. Their enduring popularity is a testament to their enduring charm and enchantment.  How Pearls are Formed Naturally? Saltwater pearls, as the name suggests, develop within oysters in saltwater environments. When an irritant, such as a grain of sand, finds its way into a mollusk, it secretes a luminous substance called nacre, or mother of pearl. This liquid gradually coats the irritant and forms a particle, bead, or tissue within it. Thus, creating layers over many years leads to the formation of the enchanting, creamy-hued pearls adored for their unique shine and shapes.  Pearls naturally form in the oysters in the ocean. However, pearls can also be intentionally cultivated in freshwater water environments under controlled conditions. Natural pearls are rarer and often more valuable and occur less frequently than cultured pearls. Read more: Gold Buyer's Guide: Know the types, colors, karats of the precious metal As a result, cultured saltwater pearls exhibit a smoother and rounder appearance, often presenting a classic spherical shape. 

As an ornament, gold has been cherished for centuries due to its inherent beauty and lustrous appeal. Often the word jewelry synonyms gold. Even sometimes gold is related to religious beliefs. Gold can be a valuable resource too. Gold is a highly conductive metal and is used in different types of applications. For instance, gold is used in dentistry for its biocompatibility and resistance to corrosion. Even gold is used in electronic systems and space exploration because it is reliable and durable. Gold has been a popular investment for centuries. Its value mostly follows an upward trend during times of economic growth. Gold is a tangible asset that is not subject to inflation or government control. Different Types of Gold Used in Jewelry Though gold is always a precious metal, the value and quality of gold jewelry differ based on its manufacturing process. Here are some types: Gold Plated Gold-plated jewelry is the most affordable option and is made by covering a base metal like brass or copper with a thin layer of gold. The gold layer can be as little as 0.05% or less and may fade or tarnish over time. Gold-plated jewelry is produced in many countries, including China, India, Thailand, and the United States. Read more: Gold’s Shiny Secret: How to clean gold jewelry right way Gold-Filled Gold-filled jewelry is made by bonding a solid layer of gold to a base metal like brass, with nearly 100 times more gold than gold-plated jewelry. This process results in a more durable piece of jewelry that won't rub off. Gold-filled jewelry is commonly produced in the United States, Italy, and Turkey. Gold Vermeil Gold vermeil jewelry features a sterling silver base coated in a thick layer of gold plating, typically 2.5 microns thick. The gold plating is done through the electroplating process, and the resulting piece is more durable than gold-plated jewelry. Gold vermeil jewelry is commonly produced in countries such as the United States, Italy, and France. Solid Gold When the jewelry is made of gold metal with no other base metal, it is called solid gold jewelry. Not to mention, it is the best type of gold jewelry. Read more: Is Gold a Good Investment? However, the solid gold jewelry comes in various karats. High karat golds offer more purity, and quality in exchange for a higher price tag. Solid gold jewelry is produced in many countries worldwide, including China, South Africa, Australia, the United States, and Canada. The value of each type of gold can vary depending on several factors such as its purity, rarity, and demand in the market. Solid gold will always be the most expensive due to its high purity and lack of base metals.  Gold-filled and gold vermeil feature higher quality and are more expensive than gold-plated jewelry. But they are more budget-friendly than solid gold made jewelry. Solid gold made jewelry is the most expensive one as it offers better quality than gold-filled and gold vermeil jewelry. Gold-plated jewelry is the most affordable option, but its gold content is minimal, which affects its durability and longevity. Read more: Is Sanchayapatra a Good Investment in 2023?

From time immemorial Gold has been precious for many reasons. Lustrous shine with unique metallic qualities has made it a premium choice for jewelry. The difficult extraction process has made it scarce. Gold is considered a valuable investment. Its increasing value forecasts that Gold will remain costly in the future. Since gold is easily tarnishable over time, the cleanliness of gold is essential. Let’s take a look at the secret of how to clean gold jewelry properly and preserve the shine forever. When to clean gold jewelry  You need to clean the Gold jewelry that you wear regularly. Gentle weekly cleaning is good if a piece of jewelry seems dirty. The jewelry that you use on special occasions should be cleaned to get rid of dirt, smudges, or damage. However, deep cleaning is recommended after exposure to serious dirt, debris, or chemicals.  Gentle frequent cleaning of gold jewelry helps extend the life of the jewelry and keeps it looking shiny and new.  How to Clean Gold Jewelry at Home If you don’t like to spend money on commercial products, you can clean your gold jewelry at home. At home, you clean your gold jewelry in two ways: Mild Clean First, take a little dishwashing liquid and mix it well with a bowl of water. Sink the gold jewelry instantly and then gently clean crevices and design details with a soft toothbrush or eyebrow brush. Then put the jewelry in a wire strainer and rinse under cool running water. Next, dry it with a soft cotton cloth or tissue.   Strong Clean First, mix a bit of soft detergent in warm water in a shallow dish. Never use hot water. Then add a few drops of ammonia to that water. Now soak your jewelry in the bowl for 15 minutes. Take a baby-size soft toothbrush and lift each piece of jewelry out of the bowl to brush piece by piece, and brush any links, clasps, and tight chains gently with the toothbrush. When your brush is done, rinse the cleaned jewelry quickly under cool running water. Finally, dry your cleaned jewelry carefully with a paper towel or regular cloth. Read How to Save Money on Wedding Jewelry? Professional Cleaning of Gold Jewelry  Although professional cleaning of gold jewelry is an expensive method, it is the safest and the most effective way of cleaning gold jewelry.  For professional cleaning, you need to take your jewelry to a jeweler and they clean with an ultrasonic cleaning machine. They soak the jewelry in a container of liquid, send high-frequency vibrations through the liquid, and, almost instantly, the dirt and grime drop off.  You can save some money by cleaning several jewelry items at a time.  How to Clean White Gold or Gold-Plated Jewelry You must clean the white gold or gold-plated jewelry with a mild dish soap soak but don’t scrub or rub with anything that is harsh. You can clean all colors of gold like rose gold and white gold in the same way. The following steps can help you: -Mop down after each wear with a soft cloth or a jewelry cloth. -Bathe the jewelry in a small bowl with warm water and a few drops of mild soap. -Remove dirt.  -Dry thoroughly. Read Daraz introduces 'Gold & Diamond' category for jewellery lovers Cleaning gold jewelry with gemstones  The usual stones can withstand the above-mentioned gentle cleaning process of gold ornaments. However, if your jewelry contains diamond, ruby, sapphire, and most semi-precious gemstones including amethyst, aquamarine, or rose quartz, you should be more careful and attentive while cleaning your jewelry because a softer and gentler cleaning is needed to keep the stones safe. Some extra care is needed to clean the prongs and areas behind or under the gemstones to get them extra clean.  Do not sink or expose emerald, pearl, and opal jewelry in liquid. Because soaking water and any chemicals can cause permanent discoloration or damage to the silky textures of these stones. So, it is recommended to avoid submerging any treated gemstones, particularly those with a non-permanent coating. You can just clean the stone-embedded gold jewelry with a soft cloth. It would be safe to clean the jewelry through a professional cleaning service. Some stones like cubic zirconia or crystals can withstand a brief gentle cleaning. However, should not sink them in water or scrub them with harsh things. But if you think a deeper cleaning is required, bring them to a professional. Read Is Gold a Good Investment in 2022? Hazards to Avoid When Cleaning Gold Jewelry You have to avoid particular substances while cleaning gold jewelry as the metal gold has a high chance of tarnishing: Soap  Avoid soaps whose ingredients are unknown to you. First, know about the ingredients and then use the soaps. It is safer to use basic dishwasher soap to clean gold jewelry. Chlorine In high temperatures, Chlorine can permanently damage or discolor your gold ornaments. Bottom Line Gold jewelry’s cleaning process is simple and easy. By using a few household products and tricks, you can clean gold jewelry at home. Following the above-mentioned tips to clean gold jewelry, you can get your gold sparkling and shining like new. Make sure you practice good hygiene during the cleaning process. You can also use commercial jewelry cleaners.