'As good as gold' says it all. All over the world, gold stands for goodness, purity, wealth and social standing. In India, right from its earliest civilizations, it has had the added aura of sanctity and divinity. All its attributes are personified in the Goddess Lakshmi.
Can one imagine an Indian bride without gold jewellery? She is usually decked out with as much jewellery as her family can afford, almost literally from head to toe, more than anywhere else in the world. It is not just that gold ornaments are beautiful. To the Indian mind, a great deal of sentiment is associated with the precious metal. It is symbolic of good luck, productivity and fertility. One of the Sanskrit words for gold is 'hiranyam', which also means semen, No wonder gold jewellery plays such an important role in marriages. Each item has its own significance and collectively they are believed to confer happiness and fulfillment in a marriage. Many of the designs are taken from the jewels shown adorning the divine figures in temples.
So even the poor, who usually wear silver, brass and bronze, try to ensure that there is at least a simple earring, a bangle or an armlet in gold on their brides. Always wearing a little gold is believed to help ensure health and longevity, spiritual power and intellectual brilliance. So take good care of the gold you have. As it is a soft metal, store it wrapped in soft cloth. It is safe to bathe with jewellery on, though soap and water may leave a dull film, but avoid contact with cosmetics like hair sprays, perfumes and similar makeup. So wear your jewellery after completing your make-up.
Try to avoid wearing jewellery while doing housework. It may get scratched. Cleaning can be done with a jeweller's cleaning solution or even a solution of mild solution of detergent, warm water and a little ammonia. Or have it cleaned with an ultrasonic machine.