Gold — whether it’s used in gold-plated, gold-filled, vermeil, or solid-gold jewelry — is measured in karats (not to be confused with carats, the weight of a diamond).

To clean most gold jewelry, mix dish soap with warm water, gently scrub, let the jewelry soak, then dry it. Certain stones and pearls can't be soaked.

Gold jewelry can be a smart investment, experts say, but only in certain cases. Getty Images The price of gold rose dramatically in 2024, eventually reaching $2,790 per ounce in October before ...