As the #1 choice for 24k gold jewelry, we get asked the same question all the time - does 24k gold tarnish? These pieces aren't cheap, and the last thing you want is to end up with something you won't wear within a few years. The good news is you have little to worry about.
What causes gold to tarnish actually has nothing to do with the gold itself. It’s the metal alloys in lower purities (10k-18k) interacting with various elements (moisture, oxygen, etc.). Pure 24k gold has no alloy in it. It’s completely pure. So, there’s nothing to tarnish! Learn more below.
Key Takeaways
- 24k gold doesn't tarnish because there's no alloy in it to react with anything
- Lower-karat gold (10k, 14k, 18k) can tarnish because of the copper, silver, and zinc mixed in
- Gold-plated pieces can tarnish as the thin coating wears down over time
- Keep pieces separate, clean with warm water and soap, and avoid harsh chemicals to minimize the risk of gold tarnishing.
Understanding Different Types of Gold
Before we even talk about what tarnishes gold or whether this is something you need to be concerned about, we have to take a step back and make sure you're up to speed on all the different types of gold - because it matters as far as tarnishing goes.
24k is pure gold - or as close as it gets (99.9). 18k is 75% gold mixed with metals like copper and zinc. 14k drops to 58.3%, and 10k is only 41.7% pure - there's actually more alloy than gold in those pieces.
There are two reasons metal is added to 10k, 14k, and 18k gold - affordability and durability. The problem is, those added metals make these pieces vulnerable to tarnishing as well. The purer the gold, the less there is to go wrong. You can learn more about 14k vs 18k vs 24k gold in our blog if you'd like. In the meantime, does 24k gold tarnish or not?
Does 24k Gold Tarnish?
Short answer is no - at least, 24k gold isn't supposed to tarnish.
What Tarnishes Gold in General?
Gold doesn't react with anything on its own. What tarnishes gold is the stuff mixed in with it:
- Oxygen turns copper green.
- Sulfur reacts with silver and makes it look darker.
- Sweat alone is enough to break down zinc.
The more of these metals in your piece, the faster you'll notice a tarnished gold color creeping in.
Does Solid 24k Gold Tarnish?
Back to the original question - does 24k gold tarnish? Nope - and it’s simply because there's no alloy in 24k gold to react with anything in your environment. You can wear it in the shower, at the beach, or to the gym, and you’ll never see it go dark or turn green.
So, can you wear 24k gold everyday without worrying about tarnish? Yes. That’s not to say a solid 24k is impervious to any sort of damage, of course. Heavy chemicals could leave a film on the surface. But that wipes right off. Learn more about a hollow Cuban link chain vs solid in our blog.
Does 24k Gold Plated Tarnish?
This is another story. Gold-plated jewelry has a thin coat of gold over a base metal (usually brass or copper). The gold on top won't tarnish, but it will slowly wear off. Could be months, could be a year. Depends on how often you wear it and what you expose it to.
At any rate, the base metal starts oxidizing as soon as it pokes through and you’re left with that unsightly tarnished gold color people complain about.
What About 10k, 14k, and 18k Gold?
All of these can tarnish to some degree. 10k has the most alloy, so it's the most likely to discolor. 14k holds up and 18k rarely gives people problems. Still, none of these are bulletproof the way 24k is. That’s just one reason we think 24k gold is the better choice for most people.
Does Color Matter (Yellow, Rose, White, etc.)?
Rose gold tarnishes fastest since it has extra copper in the alloy. A 14k rose gold ring will almost always show a tarnished gold color before a 14k yellow gold ring.
Similarly, white gold is coated in rhodium, and that’s going to wear off and reveal a yellowish tone underneath. It’s not tarnish exactly, but it definitely looks like something went wrong.
Identifying Tarnish on Your Gold Jewelry
Here’s what you should look for to figure out if your jewelry has actually tarnished:
- Dark spots usually mean silver reacting with sulfur.
- Green indicates the copper has been exposed to oxygen.
- General dullness means the surface is oxidizing across the board.
Do you see any of that on something sold to you as 24k? It’s either not really 24k or it's just surface grime that'll come off with a wipe.
How Can I Protect My 24k Gold Jewelry From Tarnishing?
A little care goes a long way in keeping your piece looking pristine for years to come.
Proper Storage
Most gold tarnished “in storage” was just left sitting out in the open. Keep pieces in their own pouch or a separate compartment so they don't rub against each other. 24k is softer than alloyed gold, so while it won’t tarnish it can get scratched.
Safe Cleaning Methods
Soak your jewelry in warm water with a drop of dish soap for a few minutes. Then lightly brush it and dry it off. It’s really that easy. No special jewelry cleaners or abrasive cloths. Just wipe your piece down with a soft cloth after wearing it so oils don’t build up on the surface.
Should You Visit a Professional Jeweler For Help?
This is almost never necessary for 24k gold. Warm water does the job. However, a jeweler can polish lower-karat pieces with real tarnish or green corrosion.
The only time you’d need to go to a professional jeweler is when you’re ready to upgrade to a better 24k gold piece, and that’s where Kuvera comes in.
Whether you're looking for Cartier bracelet alternatives, brands like Tiffany and Co., or David Yurman dupes, your search ends here at Kuvera. We've earned the trust of countless customers because we practice radical transparency. You get to see:
- Exactly how much gram is in every piece
- The current price of gold (and how much of the purchase is paying for pure gold)
- Our maker's free (the markup on top of the gold value)
Other brands just show you a price and leave you to guess what you're really paying for. We're also one of the few brands with a legit buyback program if you decide to part ways with your piece down the road.
Take a look at our most popular collections and see what catches your eye, be it a 24k gold bracelet, a 24k gold ring, or 24k gold earrings.
Does 24k Gold Tarnish?
As the #1 choice for 24k gold jewelry, we get asked the same question all the time - does 24k gold tarnish? These pieces aren't cheap, and the last thing you want is to end up with something you won't wear within a few years. The good news is you have little to worry about.
What causes gold to tarnish actually has nothing to do with the gold itself. It’s the metal alloys in lower purities (10k-18k) interacting with various elements (moisture, oxygen, etc.). Pure 24k gold has no alloy in it. It’s completely pure. So, there’s nothing to tarnish! Learn more below.
Key Takeaways
Understanding Different Types of Gold
Before we even talk about what tarnishes gold or whether this is something you need to be concerned about, we have to take a step back and make sure you're up to speed on all the different types of gold - because it matters as far as tarnishing goes.
24k is pure gold - or as close as it gets (99.9). 18k is 75% gold mixed with metals like copper and zinc. 14k drops to 58.3%, and 10k is only 41.7% pure - there's actually more alloy than gold in those pieces.
There are two reasons metal is added to 10k, 14k, and 18k gold - affordability and durability. The problem is, those added metals make these pieces vulnerable to tarnishing as well. The purer the gold, the less there is to go wrong. You can learn more about 14k vs 18k vs 24k gold in our blog if you'd like. In the meantime, does 24k gold tarnish or not?
Does 24k Gold Tarnish?
Short answer is no - at least, 24k gold isn't supposed to tarnish.
What Tarnishes Gold in General?
Gold doesn't react with anything on its own. What tarnishes gold is the stuff mixed in with it:
The more of these metals in your piece, the faster you'll notice a tarnished gold color creeping in.
Does Solid 24k Gold Tarnish?
Back to the original question - does 24k gold tarnish? Nope - and it’s simply because there's no alloy in 24k gold to react with anything in your environment. You can wear it in the shower, at the beach, or to the gym, and you’ll never see it go dark or turn green.
So, can you wear 24k gold everyday without worrying about tarnish? Yes. That’s not to say a solid 24k is impervious to any sort of damage, of course. Heavy chemicals could leave a film on the surface. But that wipes right off. Learn more about a hollow Cuban link chain vs solid in our blog.
Does 24k Gold Plated Tarnish?
This is another story. Gold-plated jewelry has a thin coat of gold over a base metal (usually brass or copper). The gold on top won't tarnish, but it will slowly wear off. Could be months, could be a year. Depends on how often you wear it and what you expose it to.
At any rate, the base metal starts oxidizing as soon as it pokes through and you’re left with that unsightly tarnished gold color people complain about.
What About 10k, 14k, and 18k Gold?
All of these can tarnish to some degree. 10k has the most alloy, so it's the most likely to discolor. 14k holds up and 18k rarely gives people problems. Still, none of these are bulletproof the way 24k is. That’s just one reason we think 24k gold is the better choice for most people.
Does Color Matter (Yellow, Rose, White, etc.)?
Rose gold tarnishes fastest since it has extra copper in the alloy. A 14k rose gold ring will almost always show a tarnished gold color before a 14k yellow gold ring.
Similarly, white gold is coated in rhodium, and that’s going to wear off and reveal a yellowish tone underneath. It’s not tarnish exactly, but it definitely looks like something went wrong.
Identifying Tarnish on Your Gold Jewelry
Here’s what you should look for to figure out if your jewelry has actually tarnished:
Do you see any of that on something sold to you as 24k? It’s either not really 24k or it's just surface grime that'll come off with a wipe.
How Can I Protect My 24k Gold Jewelry From Tarnishing?
A little care goes a long way in keeping your piece looking pristine for years to come.
Proper Storage
Most gold tarnished “in storage” was just left sitting out in the open. Keep pieces in their own pouch or a separate compartment so they don't rub against each other. 24k is softer than alloyed gold, so while it won’t tarnish it can get scratched.
Safe Cleaning Methods
Soak your jewelry in warm water with a drop of dish soap for a few minutes. Then lightly brush it and dry it off. It’s really that easy. No special jewelry cleaners or abrasive cloths. Just wipe your piece down with a soft cloth after wearing it so oils don’t build up on the surface.
Should You Visit a Professional Jeweler For Help?
This is almost never necessary for 24k gold. Warm water does the job. However, a jeweler can polish lower-karat pieces with real tarnish or green corrosion.
The only time you’d need to go to a professional jeweler is when you’re ready to upgrade to a better 24k gold piece, and that’s where Kuvera comes in.
Whether you're looking for Cartier bracelet alternatives, brands like Tiffany and Co., or David Yurman dupes, your search ends here at Kuvera. We've earned the trust of countless customers because we practice radical transparency. You get to see:
Other brands just show you a price and leave you to guess what you're really paying for. We're also one of the few brands with a legit buyback program if you decide to part ways with your piece down the road.
Take a look at our most popular collections and see what catches your eye, be it a 24k gold bracelet, a 24k gold ring, or 24k gold earrings.