Given that they’re worn on your hand, it’s difficult to avoid scratches and damage on any gold ring. Let’s also not forget that gold is a delicate, soft metal, and more prone to scratching than other more durable metals like steel or sterling silver.

If you’ve noticed some damage and scratches on your favorite piece of jewelry, you might be wondering what you can do to remove the damage – or if undoing the damage is even possible.

In this guide, we’re going to show you a number of methods you can use for getting scratches out of gold rings, so you can keep your fine jewelry in pristine condition all year round. Let’s get started!

CAN SCRATCHES BE POLISHED OUT OF GOLD RINGS?

Yes! In fact, polishing is the only way to get scratches out of gold rings, and it is an incredibly effective method if you’re looking to return your ring to a like-new condition.

However, most jewelers would recommend that you only get your rings professionally polished once or twice a year. This is because certain scratches on gold rings – referred to as the ‘patina’ – can actually add value to the ring, especially if it’s a high-karat gold ring or a vintage heirloom piece.

When performing a professional polishing, the jeweler will remove a section of the ring’s outer layer in order to create a more even surface – this is how polishing can often negatively impact a gold ring’s value. Some also find that the patina adds unique beauty to the ring, and represents a certain sentimental value to the wearer.

CAN I POLISH A GOLD RING AT HOME?

Yes. You can polish a gold ring at home if you wish, but it’s important to note that you won’t be able to achieve the same results as a professional polish. A jeweler will be able to use harsher ingredients safely on the gold, which allow for the ring to be resurfaced and scratch-free. At home, you’ll need to simply use a buffing cloth or a polishing cloth, which will usually only be able to offer an extra shine. If you want to keep your gold rings scratch-free, the best way is to exercise preventative methods.

HOW TO AVOID SCRATCHES ON GOLD RINGS

If you want to save yourself the time and money spent getting rid of scratches on your gold rings, you can take note of some of the following tips and tricks. By following the tips below, you can help prevent scratches on your rings occuring in the future:

OPT FOR LOWER KARATS FOR EVERYDAY USE

If you’re going to be wearing your gold ring every day, it’s a good idea to opt for a lower karat, which tends to be more durable and scratch resistant than rings with a higher gold purity. For example, a 22k gold ring is highly suited to occasion rings, whereas a karat lower than 18k would be more suitable for everyday use.

REMOVE YOUR RINGS DURING MANUAL LABOR

If your work involves any kind of manual labor, it’s a good idea to remove your gold ring – even if you just keep it in your pocket until you’re finished work. Scratches can easily occur when you brush against any hard surfaces, so it’s difficult to avoid scratches when performing any manual tasks. If your ring has sentimental value and you don’t want to remove it entirely, you could even put it on a chain and wear it as a pendant around your neck.

WEAR HIGHER-KARAT RINGS ONLY ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS

If you own a high-karat gold ring and you want to keep it scratch-free, try to only wear it during special occasions. This will make it much less likely to incur damage and other scratches, and will also allow you to jazz up any formal outfit with an eye-catching piece of gold.

DON’T WEAR TWO RINGS NEXT TO EACH OTHER

One of the easiest ways to scratch a gold ring ring is through friction from another ring. If you’re wearing a high-karat gold ring, try to ensure that your two fingers at each side of your ring finger are ring-free; this will help prevent the rings rubbing against each other and causing scratches.