Grease can be removed by dipping jewelry into plain rubbing alcohol. To remove tarnish from gold use soap and water mixed with a few drops of ammonia. An old toothbrush works well. After brushing, rinse with warm water and air dry. Chains should lie flat to avoid kinks.
Gold is strong, but can still be scratched.
Avoid placing pieces atop each other in a jewelry box or drawer. Repeated exposure to chlorinated swimming pools and cleaning products can weaken gold and cause it to break. High temperatures can also be troublesome, so remove gold jewelry before slipping into a hot tub.