While gold is often celebrated for its shine and elegance, not all gold jewelry is created equal. Some types are more resistant to tarnishing than others. Understanding tarnish-free gold jewelry is crucial for brands aiming to make long-lasting, smart choices about their jewelry products. It will allow you to satisfy specific customer needs and preferences, ensuring all-round satisfaction and long-lasting products.
In this blog, we’ll explore what type of gold jewelry doesn’t tarnish, break down the science behind tarnishing, and help you choose pieces that truly stand the test of time.
Comparison Table: Gold Types and Tarnish Resistance
Before we discuss what gold jewelry doesn’t tarnish? Let’s first get to know the characteristics of different types of gold jewelry. The table below shows the tarnish resistance, lifespan, and common use of various gold types.
| Gold Type | Tarnish Resistance | Lifespan | Common Use |
| Solid Gold (14k & above) | Tarnish-Free | Forever | Luxury & fine jewelry |
| Gold Filled | Tarnish-Resistant | 3-5 years | Fine jewelry |
| Gold Vermeil | Excellent | at least 1-2 years | Demi-fine jewelry |
| Gold Plated (Standard) | Will Tarnish | at least 6 months | Fashion jewelry |
| PVD Gold-Plated | Tarnish-Resistant | at least 2 years | Affordable jewelry |
Understanding Tarnish in Jewelry
Why Does Gold Jewelry Tarnish?
Gold jewelry tarnish can be due to various reasons, especially exposure to oxygen, moisture, and other chemical elements. Here are five major factors that cause gold jewelry to tarnish:
- Metal Alloys: A lot of gold jewelry is made from an alloy of gold. That is, pure gold is mixed with other metals like copper, silver, and nickel. This mixture is done to improve the strength and durability of the jewelry but the downside is that the other metals can tarnish when exposed to moisture, air, and other harsh chemicals.
- Humidity: Exposing a gold jewelry piece to humid or moist air for a long period of time can cause oxidation reactions to occur. This reaction often alters the chemical composition of the jewelry’s metal and results in tarnish.
- Skin pH: The natural oils and pH levels of skins vary from person to person. Skins with low pH (acidic skin) can accelerate the oxidation of other metals in your gold jewelry, causing them to tarnish.
- Exposure to Chemicals: Skincare products, lotions, detergents, perfumes, cosmetics, and human sweat, all contain acid and other harsh chemicals that can cause gold jewelry to tarnish, especially if the gold jewelry piece is not cleaned regularly.
- Exposure to Water: Pure water doesn’t make gold jewelry tarnish, but when it contains elements like chlorine and salt, it does. Since most swimming pools contain high levels of chlorine, not taking-off your jewelry before entering the pool may cause your gold jewelry piece to tarnish.
Common Types of Tarnish
What does gold tarnish look like? Gold jewelry tarnish can manifest as a dulling of the gold’s shine, discoloration, dark spots, or surface scratches. Common signs/types of gold tarnish include:
- Surface Scratches: Everyday or frequent wear can expose your gold jewelry to scratches and abrasions that usually reduce its shine & smoothness. High karat gold like 18K gold jewelry are more prone to scratches, which is why they are not suitable for everyday wear.
- Greenish Tarnish: This occurs when the jewelry contains copper or brass alloys which get oxidized and turn slightly green when exposed to air & water. This tarnish may appear on the skin or the jewelry and it is common with rose gold or low-karat yellow gold.
- Dark Brown or Black Tarnish: This also occurs when metals like copper or silver present in the gold alloy, are oxidized. The jewelry develops black areas afterwards; they are common in low-karat golds such as 9K and 10K golds.
- Reddish or Rust-Like Discoloration: Tarnish of this kind occurs when the copper content of a gold jewelry is high and it reacts with moisture or acidic skin. The jewelry appears as reddish-brown or with orange stains afterwards.
- White Film or Haze: A tarnish of this manner happens when the gold jewelry piece is exposed to hard water or other harsh chemicals like soap, lotions, and body oils.
- Faded or Dull Appearance: This type of tarnish is common to gold vermeil or gold-plated jewelry pieces. Over time, these gold types may lose their shine as the thin gold layer placed on their surface wears off.
- Yellowing of White Gold: This occurs when the rhodium plating on white gold wears off. The slightly yellowish tone of the underlying gold alloy starts to show.
What Type of Gold Jewelry Doesn’t Tarnish Easily?
The most reliable tarnish-free gold jewelry options are solid gold, gold-filled, and PVD-gold plated jewelry. They are less likely to react with oxygen, water, or chemicals because they are produced using a high percentage of gold.
Solid Gold Jewelry
If you seek non-tarnishing gold jewelry, then solid gold (14K and above) is your best bet. Pure gold (24k) doesn’t tarnish and high karat gold alloys like 18K or 14K gold jewelry can resist tarnishing because they have less reactive alloy content (other metals) unlike low karat gold alloys (10K).
Gold-Filled Jewelry
This is an affordable version of solid gold jewelry that won’t tarnish. It has a thick layer of gold (that contains 5% gold content over the base metal), which makes it more durable, long-lasting, and offers excellent tarnish resistance than traditional gold plating.
PVD Gold-Plated Jewelry
PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) involves the use of advanced technology to create a hard, gold layer over stainless steel. Vaporized gold is deposited on base metal in a vacuum chamber, forming a thin, uniform layer that bonds directly with the metal at an atomic level. The end-result is more durable and resistant to wear & tarnish.
Best Non-Tarnish Gold Jewelry
The two main types of gold jewelry that doesn’t tarnish no matter the environmental condition they are exposed to are: solid gold and gold-filled jewelry.
14K/18K Solid Gold Jewelry & Above
High karat solid gold (especially 14K-24K) is naturally tarnish-resistant and hypoallergenic. The higher the amount of pure gold in the jewelry piece (karat), the more resistant it is to tarnishing. Solid gold jewelry doesn’t lose its shine as long as it is properly taken care of.
Gold-Filled Jewelry
Bonding a thick layer of gold to a base metal gives you a luxury and long-lasting gold-filled jewelry piece. This jewelry has a thick gold layer that doesn’t wear off or tarnish easily, even with regular wear. Gold-filled jewelry costs a fraction of the cost of solid gold and will retain its shine over time if maintained properly.
Inexpensive Gold Jewelry That Won’t Tarnish
If you are looking for inexpensive gold jewelry that won’t tarnish and is ideal for everyday use, then choose any of the options below.
PVD Gold-Plated Jewelry
PVD coating is an option for creating affordable no-tarnish gold jewelry. Stainless steel, for example, is known for its high resistance to tarnishing and corrosion. So, PVD-coated stainless steel can mimic the look of gold and provide high durability, water resistance, and tarnish-proof wear at a low cost.
2.5 Microns 14/18K Gold on Brass
Another set of inexpensive gold jewelry that won’t tarnish are pieces made from brass and have a thick gold layer on the surface. Adding thick gold plating (at least 2.5 microns) increases the jewelry’s resistance to fading and tarnish, while the cost of brass makes it affordable.
1.5 Microns 14/18K Gold on Silver
Another option is a silver jewelry with at least 1.5-microns of 18K gold coating layer on the surface. For example, micron-plated gold over sterling silver (vermeil) offers a rich finish with decent tarnish protection. It is inexpensive and ideal if maintained properly.
Does Gold Plated Jewelry Tarnish?
Yes. Gold-plated jewelry can tarnish over time as the thin gold layer wears off, exposing the reactive base metal underneath. However, the time it will take before it tarnishes and the degree of tarnishing depends on the thickness of the gold layer and how frequently the jewelry gets exposed to air, moisture, and chemicals.
Does Gold Vermeil Jewelry Tarnish?
Gold vermeil jewelry may tarnish, especially if the plating is thin (of poor quality) or the jewelry piece is not properly cared for. However, high karat gold vermeil jewelry (14k and above) is tarnish resistant. Whether it tarnishes or not, it lasts longer than basic gold-plated jewelry pieces.
Does Gold Filled Jewelry Tarnish?
Gold-filled jewelry rarely tarnishes and can last 3-5 years & above with proper care. This is all thanks to the mechanical bonding of a thick layer of gold to the base metal while making the jewelry. It is a superb choice for everyday wear.
Does 10K Gold Jewelry Tarnish?
Yes, 10K gold is prone to tarnishing due to its high alloy content (presence of other metals like silver, copper, and zinc). These metals can react with oxygen and other elements, especially when exposed to moisture or acidic skin, causing the jewelry to tarnish.
Does Solid Gold Jewelry Tarnish?
Solid gold, especially 18K and above, does not tarnish easily and retains its luster with minimal maintenance. Pure gold is a noble metal, meaning it’s highly resistant to chemical reactions with oxygen and other elements in the air, so it does not rust or corrode.
Which Other Jewelry Material Does Not Tarnish?
- 316l Stainless Steel: This type of stainless steel is popularly known for its excellent hypoallergenic characteristic and its high resistance to tarnishing & corrosion.
- Palladium: An ideal jewelry metal because it makes the jewelry stronger and harder. Jewelry pieces made from palladium do not require rhodium plating or frequent polishing to maintain their shine.
How To Prevent Tarnish in Any Gold Jewelry
Proper Cleaning and Storage
Keep your jewelry in a dry and dark place to prevent them from getting exposed to moisture and air. Also, clean it regularly with a jewelry polishing cloth or a soft microfiber cloth to remove dirt, sweat, and oil. Lastly, do not allow your jewelry to come in contact with perfume, cosmetics, and other chemicals that can cause tarnishing.
When To Remove Your Jewelry
It may be tempting to have your jewelry on all the time, but this increases its chances of tarnishing. Remove the jewelry during workouts, swimming, or while taking showers to prevent moisture and exposure to chemicals (like chlorine, which is present in pool water).
Conclusion
If you love to experience the beauty of gold and you wish to invest in it because of its enormous value, then tarnish-free gold jewelry is an excellent choice for you. There are two best options for what type of gold jewelry doesn’t tarnish, which are: solid gold and gold-filled jewelry.
To wrap it up, ensure you contact a reputable jewelry manufacturer, like Clingold to get jewelry pieces that will remain shiny and aesthetically appealing for a lifetime.
