Blackening of gold leaf can occur due to contact with the skin and excessive sweating of the skin. Perhaps, at the first step, by observing the blackness of the gold leaf, you may imagine that the gold leaf is not original. But the fact is that even custom jewelry with 24-carat gold leaf can turn black over time. So the blackness of the gold leaf is not a sign of its poor quality. However, we all love to use gold leaf jewelry for men, gold leaf jewelry for kids and gold leaf jewelry for women with high shine. So, stay with us to get to know the cause of the blackening of the gold leaf, and to learn a solution to preventing the blackening of the gold leaf.
What is the cause of blackening of gold leaf?
The reason for the blackening of the gold leaf can be divided into two parts. Sometimes the gold leaf is completely original, but because there are a series of impurities in the gold leaf, these gold leaves become dark and black due to the passage of time and being in contact with the skin. For example, 24-carat gold sheet has a series of impurities because it has a good shape, which can cause the gold sheets to turn black.
But sometimes the reason for the blackening of the gold leaf is related to the poor quality of these leaves. For example, if the grade of the gold leaf is low, the probability of it becoming black also increases. If you buy gold leaf from reputable stores, the probability that the gold leaf will turn black is very low.
Of course, apart from the two reasons mentioned for the blackening of gold leaf, low-quality plating can also be considered as a reason for the blackening of gold leaf jewelry. If plating is not done correctly on the gold sheet, the durability of the gold sheet will decrease and we will see the blackness of the gold sheets in the shortest time.
What should we put on the gold sheet so it doesn’t turn black?
Many people ask what to do to prevent the gold sheet from turning black. In general, there are a series of stabilizing compounds that prevent blackening of the gold leaf if applied to the gold leaf. Varnish is one of the best color stabilizers for gold leaf that you can use after working with gold leaf and making types of 24 karat gold leaf paintings and other gold leaf ornaments.
Alcohol varnish can increase the durability of all kinds of gold jewelry made with sheet. Therefore, people who intend to use gold leaf to make various products, it is enough to use this stabilizer to prevent the gold leaf from turning black.
Two methods to remove the blackness of gold leaf
Blackening of gold leaf and all kinds of 24 carat gold leaf women’s jewelry can make you stop enjoying the beauty of these products. However, it is possible to prevent the blackening of the gold leaf thanks to the use of the best gold leaf stabilizer. But if the gold leaf turns black, the following two methods can be used to remove the blackness of the gold leaf.
The first method; Using baking soda
- Cover a Pyrex glass container with a layer of aluminum foil so that the foil completely covers the container. The foil should be folded over the edges of the container. Keep in mind that the shiny layer of the aluminum foil should be on the outside.
- Place the blackened gold leaf or women’s and men’s jewelry with gold leaf in the container and pour baking soda powder on them. Then, pour 2 cups of boiling water on the jewelry and gold leaf.
- Allow the gold leaf to remain in the baking soda and boiling water solution for a few minutes. Then take it out with a pair of pliers and run it under cold water for 1 minute.
- Finally, you can clean and dry the gold leaf with a soft, lint-free cloth.
the second method; Use of ammonia
To perform this method to remove the blackness of the gold leaf, you must use gloves.
- In a glass bowl, pour a cup of lukewarm water, a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and half a teaspoon of ammonia.
- Place gold leaf or 24 carat gold leaf ornaments in the bowl and let it remain in the bowl for 10 minutes.
- Remove the gold leaf from the solution with a pair of gold leaf pliers or women’s jewelry. Start cleaning all parts of the gold leaf with a soft toothbrush.
- Now put the gold leaf or gold leaf ornaments under cold water for 1 minute to remove all the ammonia solution from it.
- Finally, you can clean these ornaments with a soft, lint-free cloth and expose them to dry air to dry.
Important note: To make sure the ammonia is completely removed from the gold leaf or jewelry made with gold leaf, just wash them once more with dishwashing liquid and water.
