Gold plated jewelry has become a popular choice for those who love the look of gold without the hefty price tag. But when it comes to durability and comfort, many wonder: does it tarnish, and is it safe for sensitive skin?
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about gold plated jewelry, its definition, longevity, and whether it’s truly hypoallergenic—so you can make a confident choice for your brand style and budget.
What is Gold Plated Jewelry?
Gold plated jewelry consists of a base metal (often brass, silver, or stainless steel) that’s coated with a thin layer of gold. A standard gold plated jewelry is usually coated with an average of 0.05 microns of gold layer. Its main benefits include affordability, wide design variety, and the ability to enjoy trendy or elegant styles without a big investment, making it a popular choice for everyday fashion and special occasions alike.
There are two other gold jewelry types that are often compared to gold plated pieces:
- Gold vermeil is a specific type of gold plated jewelry that is a minimum of 2.5 microns gold layer over sterling silver.
- Gold filled is made by bonding very thick gold with a base metal (usually brass or silver). The gold used must be at least 10 karats and should make up at least 5% of the total jewelry weight.
Is Gold Plated Jewelry Good?
Yes, gold plated jewelry is good. Below are some key advantages, showing why it’s a popular choice for people who want stylish pieces at a budget-friendly price.
Lightweight and Comfortable
The base metals used in making gold plated jewelry are light, making it easy to wear for long periods. Whether it’s earrings, necklaces, or bracelets, they are comfortable to wear. This feature is especially beneficial for individuals who prefer layering multiple accessories without feeling heavy.
Also, the lightweight nature allows designers to experiment with bolder, statement pieces while keeping them easy to wear. It gives room for both practicality and beauty.
Wide Variety of Styles
Gold plated jewelry supports the creation of various styles to suit every taste, occasion, and fashion preferences. Custom jewelry manufacturers are able to craft classic, modern, and trendy looks at accessible price points. This offers creative freedom while keeping your jewelry collection fresh, stylish, and versatile.
From everyday minimalist pieces to bold statement jewelry, the styling versatility ensures there’s something for different occasions. It enables intricate detailing, ensuring both subtle and standout designs.
Affordable and Trend-Friendly
Gold plated jewelry is an affordable way to enjoy the beauty of solid gold without the huge price tag. It offers a luxurious appearance at a fraction of the solid gold cost. This makes it easily accessible to more consumers, particularly those who love experimenting with trendy pieces. Since trends come and go, gold plating allows consumers to stay on trend without a big investment. The cost-effectiveness combined with trend adaptability, makes gold plated pieces the perfect fit for modern-day fashion.
Type of Gold Plated Jewelry
There are 2 common types of gold plated jewelry and they are made via different processes.
Electroplated Gold Plated on Brass/Silver
This type of gold plating involves coating a brass or silver base metal with about 0.05 to 2 microns of gold through an electroplating technique.
Electroplating has to do with submerging the base metal into a gold ion solution, and passing electric current to make the gold ions stick to the base metal’s surface. The base metals contribute in their own way—brass offers strength, while silver provides a sophisticated base that enhances the jewelry shine.
Electroplated gold plated jewelry (0.05 microns) can last for at least 6 months. While the gold layer may wear off over time with frequent use. You can extend the lifespan with proper care and maintenance.
PVD Gold Plated on Stainless Steel
PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) gold plating on stainless steel is a highly durable process, producing an exceptionally hard and durable finish that resists scratches, fading, and tarnishing better than electroplating. This jewelry manufacturing process involves plating about 0.03-0.06 microns of gold layer on a stainless steel base. It involves vaporizing the gold in a vacuum environment and depositing it onto the stainless steel surface.
Unlike electroplating, PVD bonds gold at a molecular level, creating stronger adhesion. Stainless steel adds strength and resistance to corrosion, making these pieces excellent for daily wear. PVD gold plated jewelry doesn’t tarnish easily and retains its shine for years. It can last for at least 2 years.
Tarnish-Resistance of Gold Plated Jewelry
Before buying any jewelry, it’s important that you know some essential factors, and one of them is their tarnish resistant capability.
Does Gold Plated Jewelry Tarnish and Why?
Yes, standard gold plated jewelry may tarnish after frequent use. And why does gold plated jewelry tarnish? It’s because of the thin gold layer used for plating. Ordinarily, they can last for at least 6 months without showing any sign of tarnishing or fading, but when exposed to certain damaging elements, they tarnish quicker.
Some of these damaging elements include everyday wear and exposure to moisture, sweat, humidity, and chemicals. With constant contact with these elements, the gold plating gradually wears off, resulting in tarnishing.
Gold Plated Jewelry That Doesn’t Tarnish
While most gold plated jewelry generally tarnish, there are some jewelry that don’t tarnish. They include:
PVD Gold Plated Jewelry
PVD gold plated jewelry is different from ordinary gold plating. It involves an advanced technology that creates a hard gold layer over stainless steel. The vaporized gold is bonded to the stainless steel at an atomic level. This results in a long-lasting finish and will retain its brightness even in frequent use.
PVD plating is also hypoallergenic when paired with nickel-free base metals, making it ideal for everyday wear. Its strict jewelry quality control, tarnish resistance, and affordability ensure that wearers enjoy both luxury and long-term value, making it a preferred choice for high-end watches, fine stainless steel bracelets, and active lifestyle jewelry.
Thick Gold Plated Jewelry
Thick gold plated jewelry, which is also known as “heavy gold plated,” involves plating the brass or silver base metal with a higher gold layer. Unlike the normal gold plated pieces that use 0.05 microns of gold, the thick gold plated jewelry uses above 1 microns, forming a tough protective surface.
For more anti-tarnish jewelry, you can choose gold vermeil (the gold layer is 2.5 microns and above). It’s more than 5 times thicker than standard gold plating. Gold vermeil is hypoallergenic and offers better resistance to tarnishing, even when exposed to a shower or swimming pool. It can last for at least 1-2 years, which is longer than gold plated lifespan.
How to Keep Gold Plated Jewelry from Tarnishing?
Here are professional tips to make your gold plated jewelry free from tarnishing and last long:
- Prevent Contact with Moisture: Avoid moisture contact with gold plated pieces, whether it’s the shower, pool, beach, ocean, or even your own sweat during exercises.
- Proper Storage: Keep gold plated jewelry in a cool place where it won’t be exposed to humidity or oxidation. Ensure they are stored separately to prevent metal collision, as this can scratch the gold layer.
- Use Protective Coatings: To make gold plated jewelry last long, you can further coat them with noble metals.
Is Gold Plated Jewelry Hypoallergenic?
The hypoallergenic status of gold plated jewelry is determined by 3 factors, which includes:
- How reliable and safe the base metal is. Gold plated pieces made with metals like brass and copper may not be hypoallergenic to everyone. But those made with silver or surgical-grade stainless steel are non-reactive on people with sensitive skin.
- The metal compliance with industry standards. Not all metals can be used for gold plated jewelry. The industry-accepted metals are brass, copper, silver, and stainless steel.
- Plating layer and coating handling. How thick the gold plating is, and it is coated with a protective layer, influences how well it can protect the wearer’s skin from the base metal.
For more hypoallergenic gold plated jewelry, look for pieces electroplated over sterling silver with a thicker plating layer (ideally 1 micron and above) or PVD coated on nickel-free stainless steel. 316L stainless steel (also known as Surgical-grade stainless steel) releases less nickel, making it the best nickel-free option.
Is Gold Plated Jewelry Waterproof?
Standard gold plated jewelry is not fully waterproof. While it may withstand occasional exposure to water, such as light hand washing, it will tarnish if the water exposure is more frequent.
It is not suggested to be used in the shower, swimming pool, or ocean. The soap, shampoo, and bathing solutions used during showers destroys the gold plating. Pool water is often treated with chlorine, which is harsh to gold plating. And the salt and minerals in the ocean impact the durability of the gold layer. For maximum longevity, it’s best to remove gold plated pieces before taking a shower, swim, or engaging in any water-related activities.
PVD gold plated or thick gold plated jewelry can resist water better.
How to Care for and Clean Gold Plated Jewelry?
While gold plated jewelry doesn’t require dedicating long hours of the day for maintenance and cleaning, you still have to make sure they are taken care of to last long.
How to Care for Gold Plated Jewelry?
- Remove the jewelry before swimming, showering, workout, or applying lotions, perfumes, & body spray.
- Store gold plated jewelry in a soft pouch, separate from other pieces to prevent metal collision.
- Ensure the jewelry does not come in contact with harsh chemicals.
- Don’t wear it 24/7. It’s likely going to sustain damage when you wear it to bed because of the chafing and tangling while sleeping.
How to Clean Gold Plated Jewelry?
- Make a warm, soapy water solution. Ensure you don’t use abrasive chemicals. A smooth texture dishwasher is good.
- Deep a microfiber cloth into the soapy water solution, and wipe down the jewelry.
- Then, clean the jewelry with a dry, clean, soft cloth to remove any soap residue. Make sure the jewelry is not exposed to water for too long, else you risk weakening the gold layer.
How to Remove Tarnish from Gold Plating?
If tarnishing appears, don’t use abrasive cleaners or polishing compounds. The gold layer is too thin to withstand all these tough elements.
Rather, mix a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water and gently clean the jewelry with a soft cloth. For stubborn tarnish, use a cleaning solution specifically designed for gold plated items (follow the instructions on the label thoroughly).
To prevent future tarnish buildup, dry the jewelry very well and store in an anti-tarnish pouch or box.
Typical Brands that Use Gold Plated Jewelry
Many modern brands use gold plating to create stylish, affordable jewelry. Here’s how Ana Luisa and BaubleBar incorporate gold plated jewelry into their unique collections.
Ana Luisa
Ana Luisa has built a reputation for offering stylish, fashionable jewelry. The brand incorporates electroplated and thick gold plated designs on brass and recycled metals, ensuring both durability and eco-friendliness. Unlike mass-market competitors, Ana Luisa emphasizes sustainability, using recycled materials and responsible manufacturing to reduce environmental impact.
By combining affordability, craftsmanship, and eco-conscious practices, Ana Luisa has distinguished itself as a brand where fashion meets responsibility in gold plated jewelry. Their gold plated pieces cater to trendsetters and minimalist jewelry lovers, offering versatile options that complement any outfit.
BaubleBar
BaubleBar is known for its playful, bold, and trend-driven gold plated collections. The brand integrates electroplated gold on brass and other base metals, making fashion-forward accessories cheaper and widely accessible. There are several 14K-18K gold plated statement pieces, ranging from earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets.
This brand thrives on vibrant, eye-catching designs that appeal to people who love experimenting with their style. BaubleBar also collaborates with influencers and celebrities to boost its appeal among younger audiences. Their gold pieces are perfect for those who want bold looks at budget-friendly prices.
Conclusion
If you want the beauty and shine of solid gold at the cheapest price possible, your focus should be on gold plated jewelry. It allows you to customize the specific golden look you’re looking for at a budget-friendly cost. However, this jewelry may not last for a long time.
Gold plated is best for people who want the luxurious appearance of fine gold for various trendy and fashion styles without overspending.
FAQs on Gold Plated Jewelry
No, you cannot. The gold plating is not waterproof, and after long exposure to water, it begins to wear off. In fact, it tarnishes faster from the soap, shampoo, and bathing solution you use.
No, you cannot. The swimming pool is usually treated with chlorine to make the water clean. Chlorine is a dangerous chemical to metals, and will damage the gold plated jewelry.
The skin eventually turns green from gold plated jewelry if its metal composition consists of low-grade materials like brass or copper. These materials are prone to tarnishing and skin reaction.
Standard gold plated jewelry lasts for nothing less than 6 months if properly maintained. But PVD gold plated jewelry can last for 1-2 years.
