How do I avoid reflections on gold-plated metal?

Diffuse before you add light

Place the jewelry inside a light tent or in front of a large diffuser (tracing paper or a softbox). Hard light sources become soft gradients on the metal, and you stop seeing the camera in the ring. Two equal lights at 45 degrees front-left and front-right give balanced, predictable highlights.

A matte surface like velvet or a non-reflective stone slab also absorbs stray bounce that would otherwise create hot spots.

Fill, polarize, and angle

Use a white card as a fill reflector to open shadows without adding a second reflection. A circular polarizing filter on a macro lens can kill residual glare on metal. Finally, shoot slightly above the piece and tilt it so the only thing reflected is your clean background, not the room.