Gold and gold plated, you are bombarded with these words when it comes to jewellery. Although we simply love gold jewellery, it doesn’t meet everyone’s budget. Real gold jewellery is very, very expensive and can easily cost you hundreds of pounds. Do you want to pamper yourself without having to spend an arm and a leg? Then a gold-plated piece of jewellery is an amazing alternative. We’ve got you covered! We tell you what gold plated is and how to make it last longer.
What is gold plated?
Gold plating is a process where a thin layer of gold is bonded onto a base metal. Plating is quite common in the glittering world of jewellery, with gold and rhodium being the most popular types. The process of gold plating was invented in Italy by Luigi Brugnatelli in 1805. He was the very first person to plate a thin layer of gold onto silver. Most gold-plated jewellery is made of sterling silver (925) or stainless steel with a layer of 14 or 18-carat gold bonded onto it.
Please note: The number of a carat in plated jewellery stands for the gold layer, which can be a bit confusing. Do you want to know whether your piece is made from solid gold or only has a thin layer bonded onto the base? Just check the product description. In the case of gold-plated jewellery, the description says silver or stainless steel.
Discover the best offers on gold-plated jewellery
Does gold-plated tarnish?
Well, yes. It does. Gold plating will fade and tarnish over time, losing its brightness. Tarnishing happens regardless of the quality of the piece. Why? Well, there’s no problem with the plating itself, but with the base metal which is prone to corroding and oxidizing. Over time, the molecules of the base metal move into the gold layer, affecting its appearance. The thinner the gold plating is, the quicker it will discolour.
How thick should gold plating be?
The thickness of the plating is indicated in microns, with 1.0 micron being the thinnest layer of plating and 5.0 the thickest. Look at the number of microns as if they were years: a gold-plated piece of jewellery of 1.0 micron will look nice for approximately one year. A gold-plated piece of 5.0 micron will last you five years. Plating with an extremely thin layer of gold wears off quickly and is only recommended for jewellery pieces that are sheltered from heavy wear and tear, like earrings. The thicker the plating, the more expensive your piece of jewellery will be. The benefit is that it’ll last longer.
Can gold-plated jewellery get wet?
Showering with your gold-plated jewellery is not recommended if you want to make your jewellery last longer. Moisture and humidity affect the jewellery and accelerate the discolouration process. It’s best to take off your jewellery before you hop into the shower and put it back on after you’ve finished getting dressed.
How long does gold-plated jewellery last?
Gold plated can’t handle rough exposure. It’ll fade over time and can flake off, exposing the metal underneath. Gold plating also loses its shine. If you care for it properly, your gold-plated jewellery should last for up to two years.
- How long your gold-plated jewellery lasts depends on the type of plating that is used. In general, the plating is made of 14 or 18-carat gold. Please keep in mind that there are also gold-plated jewels with chemical plating on the market. A chemical plating is a kind of dye that gives the golden look and feel to your jewellery. However, the quality of chemical plating is quite poor and won’t last long. How do you know if your piece has chemical plating? That’s easy! You won’t find a carat indication in the description.
- The thickness of the gold plating strongly influences how long your piece of jewellery will last. In general: the thicker the plating, the longer it’ll take to discolour. But! You can have your worn pieces replated. How often should you do that? Well, that depends on the thickness of the plating, the quality of your piece and the colour of the base metal. By having your jewellery replated every now and then, it can last a lifetime.
- The type of jewellery also has a strong influence on how long it’ll last. A gold-plating ring is much more exposed to roughness than a pair of earrings. In other words, earrings don’t wear off as quickly as a ring does.
How to keep gold-plated jewellery looking beautiful
It goes without saying that you want to enjoy your gold-plated jewellery for as long as possible. The pH of your skin influences how long your gold-plated jewellery will look beautiful. You can't change your skin’s acidity, but we have some tips on how to protect your jewellery against external factors. If you take good care of your gold-plated puppies, they’ll last for years!
- Don’t wear jewellery when you take a shower, go swimming or need to wash your hands. Just take your pieces off and put them back on once you’re clean and dry.
- Always avoid contact with chemicals. Your gold-plated piece will appreciate it when you take it off before using an all-purpose cleaner, chlorine or other cleaning agents. Just do your chores without wearing jewellery.
- It’s better to do your (home) workout without wearing jewellery. Sweat causes your pieces to discolour.
- Always put your gold-plated jewellery on after you’re done doing your morning routine. That includes spraying on perfume as well.
- Store your jewellery in a dark place, like a jewellery box, when you’re not wearing it. It’s best not to keep your jewellery in the bathroom or kitchen, since humidity will affect your gold-plated jewellery.
Extra tip: Do you want to protect your gold-plated jewellery against dirt and water? Put a layer of clear nail polish over the jewellery et voila: you just added extra protection!
