Caring for Gold Jewelry: A Parent’s Guide to Baby and Children’s Keepsakes
Caring for Gold Jewelry
A Helpful Guide for Parents Choosing Baby and Children’s Keepsake Gifts
Gold jewelry—whether 10K, 14K, 18K, gold-filled, or gold-plated—is a classic and meaningful choice for baby and children’s keepsakes. It's treasured for its warm glow, long-lasting shine, and timeless elegance. Whether you’re shopping for a christening gift, birthday bracelet, or flower girl charm, gold makes a beautiful and symbolic gift.
But even gold jewelry needs a little love and care to keep its brilliance for years to come. This guide will walk you through the differences in gold types, how to care for them, and how to store your child’s jewelry so it stays looking its best.
What Are the Different Types of Gold Jewelry?
Gold jewelry comes in several forms, each with different durability and care needs:
- 10K, 14K, and 18K Gold: These are solid gold alloys, meaning they contain real gold mixed with other metals to increase strength. 10K is the most durable but may tarnish more quickly. 18K has a higher gold content and is softer but less prone to tarnish.
- Gold-Filled: A thick, pressure-bonded layer of real gold over a base metal (usually brass). Gold-filled jewelry has a much longer lifespan than gold-plated and is ideal for pieces worn more frequently.
- Gold-Plated: A thin layer of real gold is applied over a base metal through electroplating. It offers the beauty of gold at a lower cost but requires more gentle care due to its delicate finish.
The Science Behind Gold Tarnish
Yes—even 18K, 14K, and 10K gold can experience some tarnish or fading over time. While pure gold (24K) doesn’t tarnish, it’s too soft for everyday wear—especially for children. That’s why most fine jewelry is made with gold alloys, such as 18K, 14K, or 10K gold, which combine gold with metals like copper, silver, or zinc to improve strength and durability.
Because of these mixed metals:
- 18K gold has the highest gold content and is least likely to tarnish
- 14K gold offers a great balance of beauty and strength, with mild tarnish risk
- 10K gold is very durable but more prone to tarnish or darkening over time
Tarnish may appear as dullness or slight discoloration, especially with exposure to skin oils, lotions, humidity, or daily wear. This is completely normal and can be managed with gentle cleaning and proper storage.
Gold-Filled vs. Gold-Plated vs. Gold-Tone
- Gold-Filled jewelry has a thick, pressure-bonded layer of gold. It offers better resistance to wear and tarnish and is safe for sensitive skin.
- Gold-Plated jewelry has a thinner electroplated layer of gold. It looks like solid gold but is more delicate and may fade or wear down with frequent use.
- Gold-Tone jewelry contains no actual gold. It simply has a gold-colored finish and is not recommended for sensitive skin or long-term wear.
At BeadifulBABY, we focus on gold-filled and gold-plated jewelry made with baby-safe materials to offer beautiful, meaningful gifts that last.
How to Identify Gold Jewelry by Markings
Most jewelry pieces include small metal stamps called hallmarks that indicate their gold content. For our adjustable baby bangles, you'll find the stamp engraved on the inside of the hinge. Simply open the bangle and look closely.
Common Hallmarks:
- Gold-Filled: Look for “1/20 14K GF” or simply “GF”
- Gold-Plated: May be marked “GP,” “GEP,” or “HGE”
- Solid Gold: Typically stamped as “10K,” “14K,” or “18K”
- Gold-Tone: Usually has no hallmark at all
Have a question about your child’s jewelry? We’re always happy to help—just give us a call, and we’ll walk you through what to look for or explain the materials used in your piece.
What Can Damage Gold Jewelry?
To keep your child’s gold jewelry looking beautiful, avoid:
- Exposure to water (baths, pools, drool, etc.)
- Lotions, perfumes, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer
- Rubbing against rough surfaces or other metals
- Improper cleaning tools (like toothbrushes or silver polish)
Even high-karat or gold-filled pieces can lose their finish if overexposed to friction or chemicals.
How to Store Gold Jewelry
To preserve the look and integrity of gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry:
- Store each piece in a soft pouch or lined box
- Keep it away from rubber, wool, or older plastics that may emit sulfur
- Avoid storing jewelry in humid environments (like bathrooms)
- Add anti-tarnish strips or silica packs to reduce moisture
How to Remove Tarnish (Safely)
If your child’s bracelet or charm has tarnished, here are parent-approved ways to gently bring back the shine:
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Use a sterling silver polishing cloth. These cloths are soft and infused with a cleaning agent made for silver.
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Mild soap and water. Mix a few drops of gentle dish soap with warm water and use a soft cloth to clean the jewelry, then dry thoroughly.
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Silver cleaner (with caution). If using a commercial silver cleaner, be sure it’s labeled safe for sterling silver and rinse the piece thoroughly afterward.
Avoid using toothpaste, baking soda, or abrasive cloths—these can scratch delicate baby jewelry.
Love the Look of Gold?
Browse our collection of gold-plated and gold-filled jewelry for babies and children—perfect for birthdays, baptisms, and lasting memories.
**A Note to Our Shoppers**
We understand the importance of selecting timeless jewelry for your child, and we're here to make your shopping experience enjoyable and informative. Just a little reminder: all precious metals—even gold—can change over time, especially when they're exposed to things like the elements, moisture, friction, or skin oils.
Feel free to review our care instructions, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We're excited to help you find the perfect precious metal that suits your budget and preferences, and we’ll guide you on how to keep your child’s beloved keepsake shining bright for years to come!
I Still Have Questions. How Can I Get Help?
Call us at 1-888-707-7772 or visit our Contact Us page to leave us a message.
We’re always here to help! If you need care advice, help with an older piece, or recommendations for your next gift, don’t hesitate to reach out.