Gold has always been linked with beauty grace, and longevity in all cultures. Have you ever wondered how long does 14K gold last? From a wedding ring to every day necklace, knowing the durability and maintenance of 14K gold ornaments makes sure it sparks for a number of years.
In this blog, you will discover all that you want to know about 14K gold; tarnish, maintenance and more, so your gold will last a lifetime.
Does 14K Gold Tarnish?
The main question here is does 14 karat gold tarnish? The short answer is yes—14K gold can tarnish but not as easily and quickly as the other several karat gold jewelries.
It is easier to wear out than the lower karat gold or gold plated jewelries but not as easily tarnished. This is because 14K gold is classified as 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals like copper, nickel and silver in total 100 parts, 58.3% of its content is gold and 41.7% is other metals including copper, nickel and silver.
These are good metals that make gold long lasting but can corrode when coming into contact with certain elements.
The good news? Letting your gold tarnish is not the same thing as ruining your gold. If you follow proper guidelines on how to properly clean and maintain your 14K gold jewelries, you will not experience your piece turning black.
Tarnishing also is different with your lifestyle and habits. For example, people who constant wear their jewelry or wash it frequently with water or chemicals will detect a sign of tarnishing more easily.
On the other hand, when used from time to time and when kept in closed rooms, the tendency for the jewelry to tarnish years later is pretty low.
Why Does 14k Gold Tarnish?
The 14K gold is a tough metal, it is not resistant to the changes in external conditions. But will 14k gold tarnish? Yes, it can. Several factors contribute to tarnishing:
· Humidity and Moisture
If you live in a humid climate or often bring your hands in contact with gold or when it comes into contact with moisture frequently, the tarnishing is going to be quicker.
Sweat, water, and air has a tendency to cause a chemical reaction on the 14K gold containing alloy metals and so turns black. It can happen in warm climates, or in the summertime.
· Exposure to Chemicals
Many chemicals are present in our lives and are the biggest threat to the shine of gold ornaments we wear daily.
Shower, sprays, lotions, detergents, perfume, hair spray and even chlorine from swimming pool can cause the alloy metals in 14K gold to become dusky or faded.
For example, it is common to find someone wipe their neck or touch their ring or necklace with hand sanitizer or other cleaning liquid without noticing what they did wrong.
· Air Pollution
Some of the pollutants in the air like sulfur or oxygen combine with the alloy metals in 14K gold. In this long run, the reaction leads to the formation of a black or dull layer over the surface.
Areas that have high pollution can also times worsen this effect found in the urban regions.
· Lack of Maintenance
Like any other treasured item, gold jewelry needs maintenance. Failing to clean or store your 14K gold properly causes dirt and oils build up which promotes tarnish.
Wearing jewelry often also might be a cause of the jewelry’s dull appearance if the jewelry is never cleaned.
· Low Quality Plating
The14K gold jewelry has extra plating of gold or rhodium on the surface of the gold alloy. If this plating wears off, the base of alloy metals is brought to the surface of the jewelry, and this causes tarnish.
It is mostly with the white gold because the metal gets its sparkle from plating using rhodium.
What Kind of 14K Gold is More Prone to Tarnishing?
The elements of 14K gold and the kind of alloy used defines the extent to which jewelry made from this material may tarnish. For example:
1. 14K Yellow Gold:
Normally they are less prone to the tarnishing process due to the fact that this particular type of jewelry contains more gold and fewer of the reactive metals.
It sustains the warm and the classic appearance that is not easily influenced by the surrounding resources.
2. 14K White Gold:
Most commonly they are plated with rhodium which flakes off to reveal the other metals which are more prone to tarnish. If white gold is not re-plated often enough it will gradually turn a yellow color.
3. 14K Rose Gold:
It has a higher percentage of copper than the yellow or white gold, which will damage more quickly than other forms of the metal.
It has a beautiful pinkish type, but because of this, it becomes dull more often compared with the others.
So, when buying 14K gold, you have to look at the elements and application, specifically how it fits into your everyday life and cleaning process.
For example, rings and bracelets that wear away easily need higher levels such as yellow gold.
How to Prevent 14K Gold from Getting Tarnished
While tarnishing is natural, you can take several steps to minimize it
· Proper Storage
It is recommended that your 14K gold jewelry should be stored in a free from moisture and heat environment. This is because most of these metals are sensitive to air and are likely to cause tarnishing if exposed to light or worse, scratched.
· Regular Maintenance
If possible wash your jewelry gently with warm water and mild soap, and a toothbrush with soft bristles. Do not use solvents or the rough-surface type of cleaner as this may actually scratch the surface.
Final Thoughts
People would look for white gold as this material is cheaper than the other precious metals. But also because 14K gold is more attractive and holds up better than most of it alloys. Whether you’re thinking about buying a piece of jewelry, or want to maintain the appearance of a piece passed through generations, knowing about the ways of taking care of 14K gold guarantees that it remains an ornament of beauty.
Gold ornaments are not mere ornaments; they are investments. Gardening to some extent not only saves its aesthetic value but also its actual may well be sentimental. So, you may wear your 14K gold piece today, knowing that it will look as beautiful for forty years down the road.
How often should I get my 14K gold jewelry cleaned?
If you frequently wear your 14K gold jewelry, it is best that you clean it at home about once every two weeks. But, a professional cleaning should be done after every six to twelve months to make sure your jewelry is in the best condition.
Cleaning often not only preserves the appearance of the metal but also reduces the chance of having a layer of oil and other dirt which cause tarnishing. It is like taking your pieces of jewelry to be cleaned in a professional manner just like the way you take your body for a beauty treatment.
Can 14K gold turn yellow over time?
Yes, 14K gold can turn yellowish and in fact, any gold that has been plated with white gold or rose gold is very likely to do this. This is often due to the following:
1. Rhodium Plating Wearing Off:
In white gold, the plating of rhodium can wear off and the shiny material reveals a greyish area in the primary alloy. This is why re-plating is important in order to keep it looking bright.
2. Oxidation of Alloy Metals:
The other type of metals employed in making 14K gold are alloy metals which may tarnish causing faint color transformations.
3. Frequent Use:
Normal use can wear off the over layer metals after some time exposing the basic alloy especially given the frequent contact with hand in jewelry like rings.
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