The elegance and sophistication of gold jewelry can enhance any outfit! However, gold jewelry is unfortunately very expensive, while is gold plated jewelry worth anything? This post will help you make an informed decision about what type of gold jewelry to get.
The truth is that gold plated jewelry items are not worth much. This is because there are only a few microns of gold in the plating, which is a coating or layer of gold that covers the item’s exterior.
Its value will depend on:
- The gold type used for plating
- Base metal the piece is made of
Read on for more information on the real value of this item.
What is Gold Plated Jewelry?
Gold plated jewelry is not gold jewelry. In addition to a thin layer of gold, the jewelry itself is made of a base metal. The jeweler may select any metal as the base metal.
The jewelry is made of silver or copper, depending on the circumstance. In other words, when you buy something with a gold finish, you are actually buying the metal beneath. You are thus purchasing gold-plated silver or copper.
The layer of gold that gets added is quite thin that you can scratch it off with a coarse pencil eraser. Although some have a thicker coat, it is not gold jewelry even then.
To help you understand what the gold plating on your jewelry is, think of it as merely color that they have added for aesthetic purposes. The gold plating is typically not graded. In this instance, it is irrelevant what type of gold is used to perform the plating.
Now that we know what gold-plated jewelry is, we shouldn’t assume it’s worthless. They offer a flawless vintage appearance that other plating types cannot match.
Nowadays, it’s more fashionable to wear gold-plated jewelry that still looks timeless and vintage even after extensive use. This counters the current trend of wearing gold jewelry for everyday use.
Equally, remember that the base metal is worth something.
Is Gold Plated Jewelry Worth Anything?
Is jewelry with a gold plating worth anything? Your gold plated rings, chains, bracelets, earrings, pins, and pendants look like they’re worth something, even after you’ve worn them for a while.
They’re made of gold, so it stands to reason that they would have some value as a used item. Put that idea to rest, because the traces of gold present in gold plating are insufficient for gold refineries to make any money at all.
If you attempt to sell it to a pawn broker, a gold-buying business, or another third party, you will probably get rejected. Or you might strike it rich and have enough for a coffee or burger meal. At these jewelry stores that buy jewelry, you can try your luck.
Even heavy gold plating, which is the thickest plating, contains so little gold that its resale value is minimal to nonexistent. Thickness level matters most for gold plated jewelry because the thicker the plating, the longer it remains bonded to the base metal and keeps its gold look.
Even though the quality of the gold used in gold plating varies, it is never of a level that makes it worthwhile. The purity of the gold used in electroplating solutions adheres to gold jewelry purity standards like 10K, 14K, and 18K.
Even though higher karats indicate that more pure gold was used to create the item, there is still so little gold in the piece that even 24K wouldn’t add much value. Because of this, the majority of gold-plated jewelry doesn’t even have a karat label.
The karat number refers more to color than quality for items that are gold-plated. A piece of jewelry made of 14k gold has a less vibrant yellow hue than one made of 24k gold.
Pros and Cons of Gold-Plated Jewelry
Pros
Aesthetics and affordability are the main reasons why people buy gold-plated jewelry. That doesn’t mean it is entirely worthless, and you can notice a few advantages of this option, including:
- This jewelry is affordable, and you can find a beautiful piece for only $5 to $50, depending on the plating and gemstone
- It is challenging to distinguish gold jewelry from gold plating, so you can use it for special occasions that require a luxury outfit
- You have more design options when choosing gold-plated jewelry since base metal is harder and holds the shape longer
- It is trendy
- This jewelry is more durable than the real stuff, and you can additionally prolong it by occasional re-gilding
Cons
Although gold-plated jewelry has several advantages, you should also consider a list of its downsides before going shopping.
- The gold layer is thin, and it is easy to scratch it
- This jewelry is a bad investment because of the small amount of pure gold in it
- Gold-plated jewelry tarnishes over time, and the exposed base metal will look ugly and can be an allergen
- Since it is not a real thing, you need to re-gild it at least once in a year or two, which will cost you some money
- You can’t wear this jewelry while doing housework, exercise, or swim because sweat, water, and chemicals speed up gold layer damage
How Long Does Gold Plated Jewelry Last?
As stated, the molecules on the base metal travel to the gold top layer. This implies that the jewelry with a gold plating will tarnish over time. The item ought to last you at least a year if you take good care of it.
If you want that, you should think about removing your jewelry before being exposed to substances such as chemicals and other elements and cleaning gold plated jewelry after storage.
Use clear nail polish to coat the jewelry as an alternative method. It will chip after a while, so you will need to recoat it every so often. Additionally, you can ask your jeweler for advice on a product you could use to polish, clean, and apply vanish to your jewelry.
Summary: is Gold Plated Jewelry Worth Anything
Gold plated jewelry is a fantastic alternative for when you want to wear gold, look amazing, but only for a fraction of the price.
No matter what, you can buy gold-plated jewelry since it is a convenient way to get an elegant piece for the lowest possible price.
At first glance, it doesn’t worth much and is not an excellent investment, but it shouldn’t be that simple. You will attach sentimental value to your gold-plated jewelry if you enjoy wearing it or if you inherited it from a loved one.
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FAQs
Is Gold Plated Jewelry Good?
Yes, gold plating can be a good way to enhance the look of jewelry. Additionally, it may aid in shielding the underlying metal from tarnish and wear. It’s crucial to remember that gold plating can corrode over time.
How Much is 14k Gold Plated Worth?
Generally speaking, you can expect to get around $20 per gram for 14k gold jewelry.
Does Gold Plated Jewelry Tarnish?
The shine and slight tarnishing of the jewelry can occur over time.
