John came in yesterday and brought in a couple of Hawaiian Jewelry bracelets. They both appeared darker, one noticeably more than the other. He questioned if this was real gold because it is the first time he has seen this happen. He has other 14k yellow gold jewelry but it did not look as dark as these bracelets.

We told him that it was not a problem he should worry about. We explained that 14k gold jewelry will get darker if it sits and is not worn.

He bought these bracelets several years ago to give his granddaughters when they turn sixteen. They are only nine and seven. These bracelets were in storage.

When jewelry is worn it does not have a chance to tarnish because it constantly is in contact with clothes and other objects.

The alloys in the gold, primarily the copper in the alloy will tarnish and make the gold appear darker. It is a surface color change and can easily be removed by polishing it. His bracelets were polished, restoring it to its normal color and given back to him. All’s well again.

Russell Oshita, the diamonddude

The Diamond Specialists, Inc.

Diamonds Hawaii