Solid gold is among the few things you can wear every single day for a lifetime and still pass on intact. It asks almost nothing in return — a few minutes now and then, and one or two small habits. Cared for even lightly, a band outlives the hand that first wore it.
Almost everything else. Gold does not tarnish, so daily wear is exactly what it is made for. A little softening of the shine over years is character, not damage — and a quick polish brings it back.
Higher-karat gold is softer, so an 18k band shows fine surface marks a little sooner than a 14k or 10k one. None of it is harmful — it is the surface patina of a ring that is actually worn. See our 10k vs 14k vs 18k guide for how the karats differ.
For a deeper restore — removing deeper scratches, re-polishing, or resizing as fingers change over the years — a jeweler can make a well-worn band look new. EON resizes each band free within 30 days of delivery, and is here for care questions at any time after.
Soak it for 10–15 minutes in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, brush gently with a soft toothbrush (including the inside and any engraving), rinse in clean water, and dry with a soft cloth.
No. Pure gold does not tarnish or rust. Solid gold rings may pick up a film from skin oils and lotions, which simple soap-and-water cleaning removes, but they do not corrode like plated jewelry.
Showering is fine. Avoid swimming pools and hot tubs — chlorine can weaken gold alloys with repeated exposure — and take the ring off before using bleach or harsh cleaning products.
All gold picks up fine surface marks with daily wear, and higher karats (18k) a little sooner than lower ones. It is normal patina, not damage, and a jeweler's polish restores the shine.
Keep it dry, on its own or in a soft pouch, away from harder pieces that could scratch it. Avoid leaving it loose where it can knock against other jewelry.
An heirloom is not bought, it is begun.