Can 22k gold tarnish? Can real high karat gold discolor or tarnish? Can real gold tarnish? does gold tarnish?

When your gold jewelry tarnishes, it does not mean that it is not real gold; it only means that your gold jewelry is not 'pure' gold or 24 karat gold. Any purity which is below 24 karat gold can tarnish or discolor under certain circumstances which we will discuss here. The information available online is very confusing, so for our readers benefit, we have written this blog to provide authentic information on how real gold can tarnish, become black or discolor and have also included tips and preventive measures.
999 gold or 24 karat gold is also called pure gold or 100 percent gold. This means that all 24 parts in the gold are all pure gold without traces of any other metals. It is known to be 99.99% pure. Only pure 24K gold stays shiny, and it does not rust, discolor or tarnish as pure gold is the least reactive chemical element. 24 karat gold is often too soft to be used in jewelry so it is usually alloyed with other base metals to make it more useable.
Generally 999 gold is used to make bullion, coins and bars as well as use in electronics and medical devices. Other gold purities like 22K, 18K, 14k and 10k are alloyed with other metals such as silver, copper, zinc, and nickel to make gold jewelry because the alloys increase the hardness of the metal and helps the metal gain a higher polish and brighter luster. It is these other base metals alloyed with gold that actually react with or to oxygen, sulfur, and moisture and at times.  These reactions discolor or tarnish gold jewelry sometimes making it black in color.  Gold tarnishing is the slight corrosion of the gold surface and is evident as a dark discoloration of the gold item, also called a tarnish film. Real gold jewelry can sometimes tarnish or become black and discolor. But usually the higher the percentage of gold in the alloy, it is less likely for the gold jewelry to discolor or become black.

Some Reasons Gold  Will Tarnish

1. Oxidation: Base metals alloyed with gold reacts with or to oxygen it can discolor or tarnish jewelry. Oxidation is a chemical reaction in which electrons are lost. 
2. Sweat: Jewelry can discolor when it comes in contact with sweat. Sweat or perspiration, is rich in sodium chloride, common salt.  A percent of sweat can be chlorinated, lactic acid, urea, ammonia, or other toxins. These substances after contact with gold that have silver or copper alloys can produce chemical reaction to produce silver chloride and copper sulfide, which can lead to creation of deep black chemical salts. This chemical reaction can discolor jewelry and making it black.
3. Daily Household items: Synthetic ingredients and chemicals found in perfumes, body creams, body oils, lotions, moisturizers, deodorants,  pain relief ointments balms, hot packs, ice packs, hairspray, and even gel packs can all  discolor jewelry including their gemstones as well.
4. Acidic foods: Food items containing acid and/or Sulphur compounds like fruit juices, oil, vinegar, soda, pickles and onions it can discolor or tarnish jewelry or damage stones.
5. Chemicals: Bleach and chlorine can cause harm to jewelry or gemstones. Both cause a chemical reaction that disintegrates the alloys in the jewelry over time. Jewelry can also tarnish when it is exposed to bath gel, shampoo, soap, lotion, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and everyday grime.  Even swimming pool chlorine can strip rhodium from jewelry for example.

​Tips/ Preventive Measures:

• Keep jewelry in boxes and containers. For certain jewelry, do not keep it in the jewelry boxes, rather keep them wrapped in a soft cloth.
• Keep jewelry away from chemicals.
• When jewelry discolors, becomes black, or tarnishes we recommend you take your jewelry to a jeweler who can clean if properly and professionally (we offer these services)
• Check out our blog about a homemade jewelry cleaner!

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