tarnished gold

**chuckmiller** · Aug 12, 2020, 08:20 PM

Is it just me or is this an odd dark color to turn?

_B9A3205 by Chuck Miller, on Flickr

_B9A3174-Edit by Chuck Miller, on Flickr

_B9A3172-Edit by Chuck Miller, on Flickr

_B9A3170-Edit by Chuck Miller, on Flickr

_B9A3167-Edit by Chuck Miller, on Flickr

**tribe125** · Aug 12, 2020, 08:26 PM

It looks odd to me, unless it’s picking up reflections.

**chuckmiller** · Aug 12, 2020, 08:41 PM

It's really there. The case hasn't been polished since the last service 10 years ago.

**tribe125** · Aug 12, 2020, 08:45 PM

Plated with base metal showing through? Degraded lacquer?

**chuckmiller** · Aug 12, 2020, 08:48 PM

Soild 14k

IMG_20281024x768 by Chuck Miller, on Flickr

IMG_20431024x768 by Chuck Miller, on Flickr

**skywatch** · Aug 12, 2020, 09:21 PM

I had an Omega f300 that did that, but it was plated (a thick plate, but still plated.) I was told it's called "brassing" and is a form of oxidation that affects the non-gold portion of a non-24 carat blend. If I remember correctly, I could remove it easily with a bit of alcohol or other solvent on a rag. (It didn't need polish. You shouldn't use acetone due to the plastic crystal of course.)

**tribe125** · Aug 12, 2020, 09:26 PM

Looking it up, I see that 14k gold does tarnish that way - which I didn’t know.

Simple cleaning is the answer apparently:

To remove surface tarnishing of your gold jewellery, you can add a few drops of mild, non-phosphate dishwashing liquid to warm water and wipe the tarnished part with the mixture using your fingers or a cotton swab. Do not use toothpaste or baking soda as they are too abrasive. Dry your jewellery with a soft cotton cloth or allow it to lie flat and air dry completely even if it takes overnight and then once dry, you may polish it with a soft cotton cloth or a jewellery polishing cloth for shine.

There’s loads of tips on the internet.