Gold-plated jewelry offers us an economical option to enjoy the appearance and shine of this precious metal. So it is almost impossible to distinguish a gold-plated jewel from a solid gold jewel with the naked eye.
However, gold plating has different levels of quality, which will depend not only on the thickness of the layer but also on the purity of the gold that is used, as well as the base metal that will be used in the piece of jewelry. But, despite the fact that they are beautiful jewels, they also have their disadvantages and the wear of the gold layer is the main problem that we will find.
While this may not be the only flaw with this type of jewelry, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy it. But you do need to be aware of certain aspects and some limitations when making the purchase decision. If you are thinking of buying gold plated jewelry here we bring you some information that you need to know beforehand.
What is gold plating?
Gold plating in jewelry refers to the process by which a piece of jewelry made of a certain metal or alloy is covered with a thin layer of gold. It is a process in which the piece is immersed in a bath of liquid gold, to later proceed to drying and carving. Hence the name gold plating. Without a doubt, this is why it is commonly used to imitate more expensive pieces.
What metals can be gilded?
Most metals can be used to make gold plated jewelry. So some metals such as nickel, brass, stainless steel, silver and copper are an option to consider. But we also have some modern industrial metals, like tungsten and titanium, which are also often a good alternative. Although among all of them, silver and copper are the most used.
How pure is the gold plating?
You should know that gold plating is real gold. Although due to the small amount of gold used in these jewels, they will not have the value of a gold piece. However, the purity of gold used in gold plating varies like solid gold. This is how the lowest purity that we will find is 10K and the highest will be 24K.
Although when it comes to gold-plated jewelry, the main difference between these types of gold lies in the color they will produce and not in their value. Therefore, the higher the purity of the gold used, the more golden the color will be. But as far as its value is concerned, it will not change much given the small amount of gold used, regardless of its purity level.
How thick should the gold plating be?
The ideal thickness for gold plating in jewelry is around .5 to 1.0 microns. Although this may seem like a thin layer, it may be enough for jewelry pieces that will be exposed to rough wear and tear, including rings and bracelets. Although logically the thicker the layer, the jewel will be more durable and we will have a higher quality.
How long does the gold plating last?
Although we would like it to be permanent, the main disadvantage of gold plating is that it wears down over time and can come off. So when it happens it will expose the metal that is underneath.
Another common problem is that it will also lose its shine over time. Although, it could last up to two years with proper care. The best way to deal with this on tarnished parts is to re-dip the part when necessary. But how often you need to do this will depend on the thickness of the plating, the quality of the part, the color of the base metal, as well as how much wear the part is likely to experience.
Why does gold plating fade and tarnish?
Although gold is a metal that does not rust or corrode, this is common and can happen regardless of the quality of the piece. The problem then does not lie with the gold layer itself, but rather with the base metal. Since the metals used are usually prone to corrosion and oxidation.
As it turns out, over time the base metal molecules begin to move towards the gold layer. Therefore, when this phenomenon occurs, it will inevitably affect the appearance of the piece. Obviously if the jewel has a very thin gold plating it will begin to discolor and tarnish faster. However, this can be avoided by first plating the base metal with a layer of nickel.
How do I care for my gold plated jewelry?
Properly caring for our gold-plated jewelry will prolong its useful life and at the same time preserve its shine and beauty for longer. So the main precautions to consider are the following:
- Keep your jewelry away from any kind of chemicals, oils and makeup. In this sense, one of the things you can do is always put on silver jewelry after applying makeup, hairspray and perfumes. Likewise, while you are doing housework it is best to remove your jewelry. Since contact with the chemicals contained in soaps, detergents and cleaners could affect the integrity of the gold plating.
- To prevent your jewelery from tarnishing quickly and to protect the gold layer, it is recommended that you keep your hands clean when handling it. Especially before putting them on.
- Chlorine is the main enemy of gold as it can damage your jewelry by causing stress corrosion. So under no circumstances expose your gold plated jewelry to chlorinated or salt water. Which means you should take them off before swimming whether in pools, hot tubs or the sea.
- Frequent cleaning will be vital to counteract the effects of body oils and sweat. Since, these are considered contaminants that can affect the gold plating and therefore getting rid of them should be a priority.
- To clean your jewelry avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. Instead, use a mild liquid soap or professional jewelry cleaning solution and warm water. Also, avoid brushing or rubbing silver jewelry when doing this, as this can loosen some of the gold layer and expose the base metal. So opt for a cloth you know.
- When storing your jewellery, avoid rubbing it against other jewellery, as this will only cause the gold layer to wear away more quickly. The best way to avoid this is to keep each piece of gold-plated jewelry separately.
Is gold plating hypoallergenic?
This depends on the thickness of the gold layer and whether the piece contains metals that cause allergies, such as nickel, zinc, and cobalt. In general, gold plating is not hypoallergenic and can cause skin reactions in people with metal allergies. This is due to the nickel content of the piece. When the gold layer wears or peels off, the nickel in the jewelry comes into contact with the skin and causes reactions.
Before buying gold plated jewelry, check the metal alloys in the piece. Avoid metal allergens if you have metal allergies.