AboutThomas Expertise Have a question about jewelry repair or working with gold or silver jewelry and gemstones? I am a working professional bench jeweler, involved everyday with setting stones in mountings, designing and making jewelry, repairing and some custom manufacture. Over 30 years experience. If you work with jewelry as a hobby or as a profession, I might be able to help. I deal with the retail business, not mass production. Ask privately if you wish. See the box for that: It keeps your question between us. Please DO NOT ask MAKER'S MARKS, but metal quality marks are fine to ask. Please DO NOT ask diamond prices. See a gemologist for that.
Experience Education is English/Physics!Started in human resources, to advertising, to jewelry...wow, what a road. Now a jeweler for many years. I have had formal training in jewelry work and many shared experiences with top grade jewelers. We just never know were we will go or be. Follow your best, your dreams, with some discretion!
Expert: Thomas Date: 7/14/2008 Subject: Gold Rings
Question Hi, I have triple pierced ears, and wear three sizes of gold stud earrings. My ears are rather sensitive, so every night when they come out, I put them in peroxide. The color has never changed. Recently I received two rings. One is my sons birthstone, Aquamarine, set in 18k gold. The other is an Emerald, also set in 18k.
The question is: I put them in peroxide to clean them, and the color has changed in the gold. I've done this before, and nothing happened. I love & cherish these rings. What can I do? (((((HELP)))))LOL Thank You Patricia
Answer Patricia, you need to get a good polishing cloth, one of the chemically treated ones like Sunshine cloth. These are much better than the basic rouge(red) side and plain side cloths. Rub the earrings well and see if the color is restored.
If the color is not restored, you need to take these to a jeweler and ask for the earrings to be professionally polished. The polishing will remove any discoloration and restore the look of the gold.
If a jeweler is handy, you might skip the cloth and go straight a jewelry store. Call first to be sure they have a bench jeweler working in-house to save a wasted trip. (The bench jeweler is the one who actually does jewelry work.)
I have not heard of peroxide of the home variety causing discoloration like this on gold, certainly not on high karat like 18k.
Why it happened? Who really knows. Perehaps the earrings have a plated surface over the gold of some sort and that was affected. Still, it does not make a lot of sense and is unusual.
I suggest once these earrings are polished, you simply keep them out of the peroxide. Wipe with alcohol when you take the earrings off and perhaps prior to putting in your ear. That should help and avoid further discoloration.
Patricia, let me know if you need more info. You can use the follow-up to get back.
