What Is Gold Plated Jewelry?

Gold is a valuable and expensive metal. That’s why buying a piece of jewelry can sometimes be a little daunting. You may have heard words like Solid Gold, Gold Plated, Gold Vermeil, and Gold Filled, but you may not entirely know what is the difference between them. In this article, we will reply to the easy question of what is gold plated jewelry and how is it not the same as other gold? You will be able to make a better decision and no longer be bewildered when buying jewelry after having read this article.

What Exactly Does Gold-Plated Actually Mean?

Gold plating is a process in which a gold layer is coated over metals such as silver, steel, or copper. Gold plating is carried out in various ways, but the outcome is that a gold layer, which is a few microns thick, is coated on the jewelry item, and it becomes more beautiful and bright. Not only elegance, gold plating also prolongs the life of jewelry and does not permit it to oxidize.

How does gold plating work?

An Italian scientist named Luigi Brugnatelli was the first to plate a thin gold layer on silver in 1805 and introduced this procedure to the world. The most used method of gold plating is electrolytic gold electroplating since it provides good thickness and quality control of the gold coating. The other methods, such as electroless plating or vapor deposition, are used in some applications, but the standard within the industry remains electroplating.

In electroplating, jewelry is properly cleaned to remove dirt, grease, and oxidation to provide a smooth surface for plating. Jewelry is then immersed in a gold ion solution, along with a gold anode. When an electric current is applied to the solution, gold ions are attracted to and deposited on the surface of the jewelry, forming a thin, uniform layer of gold.

Advantages of Wearing Gold Plated Jewelry

Using gold plated has advantages that make many people prefer to use them and achieve beauty without a significant investment:

•         It is a cheaper alternative to gold.
•         It has a luxurious appearance and is similar to solid gold.
•         It is rustproof.
•         It is hypoallergenic compared to unplated metal.
•         It can be utilized in jewelry with multiple designs.

Gold plated jewelry is highly convertible to other forms of jewelry and can provide a stylish look at low expense.

Disadvantages of Wearing Gold Plated Jewelry

There are some disadvantages of wearing gold plated jewelry which makes it different from solid gold jewelry, which is more durable and has material worth.

•         The gold plating layer is very thin and wears off and scratches easily.
•         Gold plated jewelry is not an investment as solid gold. 
•         Extra care and regular maintenance are required for plated jewelry to maintain its appearance.
•         As gold plating is susceptible to scratches, it requires more care than solid gold in constantly used or impact and wear-prone items of jewelry.

The durability of the plating primarily relies on the gold layer's thickness and the quality of the plating process. Its lifespan will also be short if the quality of the plating is not superb.

How to Keep Gold Plated Jewelry?

The most basic and primary thing you need to do while maintaining gold-plated jewelry is not scratch or scuff it. This will make sure that the quality of gold plating remains unaltered and is not worn away. You must not expose your jewelry to chemicals either. Chemicals such as perfume, cosmetics, hairspray, heavy cleaning products, bleach, and pool chlorine are known to interfere with the quality of your gold-plated jewelry.

Avoid polishing with a toothbrush or abrasive brush your plated gold jewelry. Instead, polish using a soft cloth and mild soap. Keep every piece of plated gold jewelry stored in a separate box away from direct sunlight and moisture to prevent tarnishing. Finally, gold plating is not a permanent process. Once the plating is ruined or worn away, the best way to regain the original appearance is to replate the item.

How Long Does Gold Plated Jewelry Last?

Gold plated jewelry's lifespan relies on the thickness and quality of the plating, the quality of the underlying metal, and how it is cared for. It will continue for at least a few months. But if both the quality of the metal and plating are good, and you take proper care of your gold-plated jewelry, then it can last two years too. Don't worry if the plating of your favourite jewelry gets spoilt. You can re-plating your jewellery to make it like new.

How to Identify Solid Gold From Plated Gold?

Pure gold is stronger and more costly. While gold plated jewelry is cheaper. It is all a matter of your choice, budget, and intended use. However, you should know what you pay for.

The easiest way to determine solid gold from plated gold is to check the code and numbers imprinted on the jewellery. Numbers such as 375, 500, 585, 750, 916, 958, 999 or their corresponding 14k, 18K, etc. denote the carat of gold and are imprinted on solid gold. The letters GF (Gold Filled) or GP (Gold Plated) denote plating and are imprinted on gold plated jewellery.

Acid testing is also employed to distinguish solid gold from gold-plated. Pure gold won't react or corrode with nitric acid, but the other metals will corrode or become discolored. You may also perform a magnetic test at home to determine if you have what type of jewelry. Gold is not magnetic. Hold a strong magnet near the jewelry item; if the item adheres to the magnet, the item is not solid gold.

What Is The Difference Between Gold Plated and Gold Filled Jewelry?

Both Gold plated and gold filled jewelry look like solid gold because they both have a base metal covered with a gold layer. Their only difference lies in the thickness of the gold layer on them. Gold filled jewelry items have a much thicker layer of gold mechanically bonded to the base metal (contain at least 5% of the total weight), which makes them more durable and longer-lasting compared to gold plated items. On the other hand gold plated items involves a much thinner layer of gold (often less than 0.05% of the total weight) applied through electroplating, which is more prone to wear and tarnishing.

What Is The Difference Between Gold Plated and Gold Vermeil Jewelry?

The main difference between gold plated and gold vermeil jewelry is in their composition and end quality. As we clarified earlier, gold plated jewelry is made up of a thin layer of electroplated gold over metals such as copper, brass, and silver. Yet, in the case of gold vermeil jewelry, the gold coating is heavier (minimum 2.5 microns) and is applied over sterling steel (92.5% silver). Therefore, gold vermeil jewelry is superior and more long-lasting, yet economical relative to solid gold.

Comparing Gold Plated Jewelry With Other Types of Gold

To better understand the differences between gold plated jewelry and other types of gold, take a look at the table below. In this table, we have compared the durability, cost, and composition of the different types of gold.

Is Gold Plated Jewelry Worth Purchasing?

Having identified what is gold plated jewelry, one question remains unanswered. Is this type of jewelry worth purchasing? Gold plated jewelry has a high beauty value and can complement your style without spending too much. In case you are planning to buy plated jewelry, you should note that the reason you buy it is for temporary use for beauty purposes, not investment. Because there is no opportunity of reselling this type of jewelry. But if you maintain your gold plated jewelry well, then you can enjoy it for a couple of years.