If you are about to invest in jewelry, you might be wondering, how long does gold-plated jewelry last? Generally, gold-plated jewelry will last anywhere from several months to a few years, 2 years on average, depending on how often it is worn and how well it is taken care of.
Solid gold jewelry lasts longer than gold-plated jewelry. Much thinner and susceptible to deterioration over time, the layer of gold. In addition, it is more prone to tarnish and scratches.
We will start with the fundamentals in order to fully comprehend the process of caring for your gold-plated jewelry and selecting the appropriate type of gold-plated jewelry to purchase. If you wonder, “How durable is jewelry that has been gold-plated?”, here’s what you need to know.
What is Gold-plated Jewelry?
Unlike solid gold, gold-plated jewelry isn’t mixed with gold alloys. Instead, it has a base metal with microns of gold coated on it. Because gold is such a soft metal, it cannot be used to make jewelry on its own. Because of this, gold is mixed with alloys to make solid gold jewelry, whereas gold plating is applied to base metal to make gold-plated jewelry.
However, just like the differences between solid gold and gold-plated jewelry, there are also differences between gold-plated jewelry, such as:
- The type of base metal it has underneath the gold plating
- How much gold is applied in microns to the base metal?
- Is it nickel-, lead-, and hypoallergenic?
- Are there no additional costs to Mother Nature and is it sustainable?
These are all important things to remember when buying gold-plated jewelry because they can significantly affect the longevity of your favorite accessories.
It has the exact same appearance as solid gold jewelry once the base metal has been covered in gold. But as you wear your gold-plated jewelry more frequently, frustrations may start to surface. Depending on the type of base metal used, it might start to show the base metal underneath and, as the color changes, it might even start to itch.
Also Read: Can I Pawn Gold-plated Jewelry?
How Long Does Gold-Plated Jewelry Last?
Given the numerous factors that can affect its lifespan, it can be challenging to predict how long a chain or other item of gold-plated jewelry will last. If the plating is thick, the item might last longer than if the plating is thin. Daily wear items will deteriorate more quickly because they are frequently exposed to the elements, which can harm them.
The average lifespan of gold-plated pieces is two years. After that, the gold-plated jewelry starts to tarnish and lose its shine. This time frame can change based on how well you care for your jewelry collection. If the jewelry starts to lose its gold plating, you can have a jeweler replate it.
How to Prolong the Life of Gold-plated Jewelry?
The following advice will help you extend the life of gold-plated jewelry.
1. Keep It Away from Water.
Water can tarnish the gold and hasten its deterioration. Therefore, stay away from wearing gold-plated jewelry while swimming or doing the dishes.
2. Don’t Wear It in the Sun.
Additionally, exposure to the sun’s rays can weaken and fade the gold in jewelry. Although it is best to keep all of your jewelry out of the sunlight, gold-plated jewelry is particularly vulnerable to tarnishing.
3. Clean It Regularly.
Gold-plated jewelry can look dull and tarnished if dust and dirt accumulate on it. Clean your jewelry frequently with a soft cloth. To protect the gold plating, be sure to steer clear of harsh chemicals and cleaners.
Read More: How to Clean Gold-plated Jewelry?
4. Store It Properly.
When not in use, keep your gold-plated jewelry in a jewelry box or pouch. This will help shield it from tarnish and scratches.
5. Get It Re-plated.
Your gold-plated jewelry can be replated if it starts to appear too worn. But doing so will raise the price of maintaining the aesthetic quality of your jewelry.
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Why Choose Gold-plated Jewelry?
Budget-conscious buyers can save money while still sporting stylish accessories that resemble their solid gold counterparts by purchasing gold-plated jewelry. Even though you might need to replace or replate gold-plated pieces, it’s more affordable to buy the plated version.
It all depends on how much money you can afford and how committed you are to looking after and maintaining your jewelry. Although you might be tempted to buy a kit to replate your favorite piece of jewelry, it’s best to leave that task to experts to get the best results.
Also Read: How to Gold Plate Jewelry?
Conclusion on How Long Does Gold-plated Jewelry Last
You should always make sure your jewelry is stunning and sparkling. By treating it well, you can extend the life of your jewelry. It’s important to preserve the value of jewelry because some pieces can be quite expensive.
However, if your gold-plated jewelry starts to look too worn, you can get it re-plated. However, this will increase the cost of maintaining the aesthetic quality of your jewelry.
Consider investing in solid gold jewelry if you want to purchase heirloom-quality items. These are more expensive than gold-plated jewelry, but they won’t tarnish or lose their shine over time.
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FAQs
Is It Worth Investing in Gold-Plated Jewelry?
Genuine gold jewelry can be surpassed in beauty by high-quality, gold-plated jewelry. Any outfit can benefit from its sheen and shine, and it is incredibly affordable. For less money than a single piece of real gold jewelry, you can purchase several sets of gold-plated accessories.
Does Gold-plated Jewelry Tarnish in Water?
Occasional exposure to tap water will not damage high-quality gold plated jewelry, but we recommend avoiding showering with the jewelry on frequently because products like shower gel, soap or shampoo will cause your jewelry to become dull and/or tarnished.
Can I Shower While Wearing Gold-Plated Jewelry?
Wearing white gold or yellow gold jewelry made of solid gold will not tarnish the metal; however, it will lose some of its luster. Showering, however, may cause gold-plated metal jewelry to completely lose its gold coating. Gold-plated jewelry is therefore inappropriate to wear while showering.
Can You Wear Gold-plated Jewelry Every Day?
Gold-plated jewelry is acceptable to wear every day. However, it is not advised to take a shower while wearing gold-plated jewelry because the water may eventually cause the gold to tarnish.
Does Gold-plated Jewelry Fade?
Due to its susceptibility to scratching and tarnishing, gold plating will eventually fade over time. Maintaining your gold-plated jewelry will help to increase its lifespan.
