This might be the most common question people have about gold jewellery: does it tarnish?
The short answer: no. Solid 14 karat gold does not tarnish, does not oxidise, and does not change colour. Ever. That’s one of the fundamental properties that has made gold valuable to humans for thousands of years.
But there’s nuance here, so let’s cover everything.
Why 14k Gold Doesn’t Tarnish
Tarnishing is a chemical reaction between a metal and substances in the environment — typically oxygen and sulphur in the air. Silver tarnishes. Copper tarnishes. Brass tarnishes. Gold doesn’t. Gold is one of the least reactive elements on the periodic table.
14 karat gold contains 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% alloy metals (usually silver and copper). While those alloy metals can theoretically react with the environment, the gold content is high enough to protect the surface of the jewellery from any visible colour change. In practice, properly made 14k gold jewellery will maintain its colour for your entire lifetime — and well beyond.
What About That Dull Look?
Sometimes gold jewellery looks less shiny than when you bought it. This isn’t tarnishing — it’s a surface film caused by lotions, soap residue, natural skin oils, or cosmetics building up on the surface. It’s sitting on top of the gold, not changing the gold itself.
The fix is simple: clean your jewellery gently with warm water, a drop of mild dish soap, and a soft cloth. The shine returns immediately because the gold underneath never changed.
Gold Plated Jewellery DOES Tarnish
This is the critical distinction. Gold plated jewellery appears to tarnish because the thin gold layer wears away, exposing the base metal underneath. That base metal — typically brass or copper — reacts with air and moisture, turning green, black, or patchy.
This is not the gold tarnishing. It’s the gold disappearing and the cheap metal underneath doing what cheap metals do.
With solid 14k gold, there is no “underneath.” The gold goes all the way through. Nothing can wear away because there’s no coating to lose.
Tips to Keep Your 14k Gold Beautiful
Even though solid 14k gold doesn’t tarnish, simple care keeps it looking its absolute best.
Remove before swimming in chlorinated pools or the ocean. Chlorine and salt water can affect the alloy metals and cause temporary dullness.
Apply perfume and hairspray before putting on your jewellery, not after. Chemical products can leave a film on the gold surface.
Clean gently every few weeks with warm water and mild soap. This removes the natural buildup that makes gold look dull.
Store separately from other jewellery to prevent scratching. Gold is durable, but it can still be scratched by harder gemstones or other metal pieces.
The Bolek Promise
Every Bolek piece is made of solid 14 karat gold that will never tarnish, never fade, and never lose its warmth. Combined with our hand-set gemstones and 2-year craftsmanship guarantee, your Bolek jewellery is built to be as beautiful on day 3,650 as it is on day one.
Discover our collection of 14k gold jewellery that lasts forever.