What is the real fuss over gold-plated jewelry? Not sure if the gold jewelry is for you? Is it easy to maintain? How good is it? What are the pros and cons of choosing jewelry?
Gold plated jewelry is a budget-friendly option over buying real gold. More people love to accessorize compared to the ones who don’t. When affordability is key, you should not strip off the chance to flaunt your jewelry.
Gold-plated jewelry comes in different qualities. It depends on a series of factors such as the purity of the gold coating, its thickness, detailing by the craftsmanship, and the base metal used for the piece. Once the work of plating is completed, it is very difficult to differentiate between real gold jewelry and the gold plated look alike.
There is a bunch of issues that tag along with the marvelous gold plating jewelry that one should take care of. Re-plating, tarnishing, and fading is the most common drawbacks you will encounter.
Let us answer some of the frequently asked queries about gold plating and figure out if it’s the best option for you:
First things first,
What is gold plated jewelry?
Gold plating can be defined as a method that coats a thin layer of gold over a base metal, generally copper or silver by a chemical or electrochemical plating process. This technique applied to make jewelry, accessories like watches, anklets, or bracelets defines them as gold jewelry.
Plating is pretty common in the jewelry world with gold and rhodium being the popular ones. The procedure was invented by a famous Italian chemist, Luigi Brugnatelli in 1805, who coated a thin strip of gold onto silver for the very first time in history.
Why Buy?
You can have a great collection of accessories ranging from necklaces, earrings, anklets, bracelets, rings, toe-rings, watches, and other fine jewelry without burning a hole in your pocket with Gold jewelry. Generally used as costume jewelry or to mimic expensive alternatives.
It is not possible to differentiate between a 14k gold jewelry worth a few dollars from a 14k solid gold piece priced over $7000. It is hard to distinguish between expensive pieces of jewelry and perfectly designed gold-plated alternatives.
What are the common base metals used for?
Gold plating can do on most metals to convert them into jewelry. Some of the common metals include:
- Nickel
- Brass
- Silver
- Copper
- Stainless steel
For industrial purposes, tungsten and titanium are also frequently plated.
What are the advantages of Gold plated jewelry?
- One of the first reasons would be its affordability. Why should you burn your pockets if you can get something very similar at a great deal? This could be the perfect option for all jewelry and accessories hoarders.
- If you are not from the lab, jewelry is no different from the real gold to the untrained eye. You can have a great collection without compromising on the grandeur gold offered at the best prices.
- Gold plated jewelry adds a stroke of brilliance to any piece of accessories from your watches, to bracelets, and necklaces. Let it add a perfect touch and decoration to uplift any of your outfits for any occasion, big or small.
- Gold jewelry can be the best for any trending moment. You need not worry about investing large amounts of cash for long-term use, which passes off as old-fashioned as time travels. You can keep rolling with the current fad and keep your stock updated with little investment.
- Gold jewelry is strong and long-lasting compared to its solid gold counterparts. Gold by nature is a very malleable and soft metal. The higher the purity or carat value, the more malleable it gets. That is the reason you cannot craft jewelry out of 24 carats (the highest value available) gold. Gold has alloy with other metals to get a stronghold. While gold plating can be a more useful way to create jewelry for better endurance and sustainability.
How to know if my jewelry is gold plated?
The first way is by its throwaway prices. It is usually well under $100. You can check for the following hallmarks intricately designed into the jewelry.
- GP– gold plated.
- GEP– gold electroplated.
- HGE– heavy gold electroplated.
- HGP– heavy gold plated.
How to care for gold jewelry?
- Keep your jewelry away from makeup, oil, and other chemicals. Wear your jewelry at the last after you are done with your hair and makeup. Let them be the first ones to come off when you return from an event or after you are done with any occasion.
- Avoid keeping them on while doing the dishes as the chemicals present in the soap will harm your gold jewelry.
- It is best advised to take them off before you indulge in swimming, hot showers, spa treatments, or the sea. It is best to keep your gold jewelry away from salt or chlorinated water.
- Constant exposure to rubbing and friction will increase the chances of wear and tear. It will make them lose their glitter and shine. Place them in separate storage boxes.
- Clean them regularly using a professional jewelry cleaner or mild soap that is not harmful. This process will prolong their life.
People might argue that gold jewelry might easily wear off. But with proper care, cleaning, and storage they can be the best affordable option to keep you trendy and pull off great outfits with ease for any occasion. Even if the plating is fade, you can easily re-plate them keeping your accounts in check.