Will 10K Gold Tarnish? Over time, there is a chance that your 10K gold jewelry might tarnish a bit. The tarnish is due to the metal alloy in its composition. However, you can bring back the shine by buffing it out carefully.
When you see both metals side by side, you might notice that the 10k solid gold is slightly less yellow than the 14k solid gold (but only the tiniest bit). It's just as radiant and shiny as 14k solid gold, and can be polished all the same, too. Truly, if you saw them from a distance, they'd be pretty indistinguishable!
Solid Gold (10k, 14k)
Solid gold is a great choice if you're looking for a lifetime piece you can wear everyday and everywhere - yes, even in the shower! Polish with a soft cloth.
Tarnish occurs on gold jewelry when the gold is exposed to air and oxidizes. Tarnish is a natural occurrence on all gold that is not pure. Some folks like the look of aged, tarnished 10K and 14K gold (called a patina).
Over time, there is a chance that your 10K gold jewelry might tarnish a bit. The tarnish is due to the metal alloy in its composition. However, you can bring back the shine by buffing it out carefully. Taking care of this gold is as simple as taking care of your other gold jewelry.
Gold itself does not corrode, but its primary alloys of silver or copper will do so (forming very dark chemical compounds) under moist or wet conditions. When someone perspires, fats and fatty acids released can cause corrosion of 14 karat gold, especially when exposed to warmth and air.
Bath products such as scrubs and exfoliators can also wear down the gold finish if you shower with a gold chain. If you are looking for jewelry that you can wear in the shower, 10K and 14K gold waterproof pieces are the way to go. There's no physical or chemical danger when you shower with 14K gold or 10K gold.
10k gold is worth buying if you are looking for a piece of real gold jewelry that will be long lasting and not expensive. Even though 10k gold will have less than 50% pure gold, (41.7% is the approximate amount of pure gold in 10k gold,) the other alloys and metals increase the hardness in 10k gold jewelry.
10K, 14K, 18K and even 22K Solid Gold is not a concern when it comes to getting your necklace wet.
One advantage of 10k is that it is more durable than 14k. Because it has a lower gold content it's stronger, and less likely to scratch, scuff or bend. A second advantage is the price - it's less expensive than 14k because it has less gold.
10K gold is the least pure, least expensive, yet most durable, form of gold used widely in jewelry today. With its 41.7% gold purity, it's the most impure gold available on the market that can still legally be called “gold” in the US and most other countries.
Gold jewelry should be gently cleaned weekly to keep it looking shiny and new. All you need to clean most gold jewelry is warm water, dish soap, and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
The most noticeable difference between each karat option is the gold color. Because pure gold is naturally yellow in color, the higher the karat, the more yellow the metal will appear.
To keep its shine, you should clean your jewelry regularly with a solution of 10-parts warm water and 2-parts dish soap. A few extra tips: Soaking is the key: per Real Simple, you should soak your gold jewelry pieces for 3 hours and then scrub them gently with a very soft brush.
A simple soap and water solution is all you need to clean plain gold necklaces, bracelets, earrings, bangles, and other ornaments. Cleaning your plain gold jewellery with soap water rids it of accumulated dirt and oils. This method is one of the fastest ways to restore your gold jewellery's shine without any hassles.
The cons of 10k gold
And while 10k gold is massively affordable to a wide market, it is the lowest grade of gold accepted in the U.S market and is considered the least pure. You will not find gold jewelry less than 10k. Unlike 14k gold, 10k gold is quite dull in color appearance because of its low percentage of gold.
Very little re-sale value
Less than half the weight of 10K metal is gold, so it won't get anywhere near market value at resale. It's simple enough to tell if you're getting 10K gold with your jewelry even without an untrained eye.
Due to its sturdiness, all favour the most affordable option, a 14 karat gold jewellery item. A higher amount of alloyed metals makes 14K gold more resistant to wear and tear. And as it is harder and more durable, it is ideal for making daily-wear jewellery, especially for an active lifestyle.
Since it has the lowest gold content of any type of gold, 10K gold is also highly durable. It's very difficult to scratch, scuff, or bend jewelry made from 10K gold, making it worth considering if you work in an environment with hard surfaces that could scratch or damage your jewelry.
With 10K 14K or 18K solid yellow gold, there's very little to worry about when it comes to sand or water. Be careful with gold plating, as exposure to water, chlorine and salt all chip away at it over time and you will have to get your accessory re-plated entirely if that's the case.
If durability is what you're after, then solid gold is your best bet (10k or 14k specifically, read on for why), followed by gold-filled and gold vermeil jewelry. Gold-plated jewelry is by far the least durable or long-lasting option.
1) Discoloration: Gold tarnish can appear darker or duller compared to its original lustrous shine. It may lose its bright yellow hue and take on a more muted or even blackened appearance. 2) Patina or Film: Gold tarnish can manifest as a thin layer or film that covers the surface.
Over time, gold loses its shine due to products we wear like lotion and perfume as well as oils and sweat from our skin. Like silver, it's possible for gold to tarnish. I used to never think about cleaning my gold pieces because I thought the dullness overtime was just the look of the jewelry. But it isn't!
Smudges from fingerprints, as well as dust, oils, grease, and dirt can build up and dull gold jewelry's shine. To keep your staple gold pieces from looking dull, you'll need to clean them weekly.