Gold Plated

Gold plated jewelry is made by laminating a thin veneer layer of gold over any base metal.  It is created using an electro-chemical processes. Generally, several plates of metal are physically soldered and/or welded together. Gold plated  jewelry has 10 karats or greater in quantity. Gold plated jewelry is not as long lasting as solid gold fine jewelry. In some case, some jewelry pieces may have only a very thin layer of gold. Gold plated can come in various thicknesses. Not all gold plated jewelry is the same. The quality of gold plated jewelry is determined by the amount of gold applied to the base metal. Not only will it increase durability but provide higher quality.  Gold plated jewelry has a thinner layer of gold than 14 Karat gold filled jewelry. In the gold industry, “markings” have been provided to allow potential consumers to determine how much percentage of gold they are buying as well as the karatage of gold plating.

The major disadvantage of gold plated jewelry is its tendency to lose its gold color and lust.  In some case, a thin plated veneer of gold can be worn off as little time as a year. The reason given is most gold plated jewelry is veneered over silver.  The two metals have a tendency to reactive together. In due course, gold will gradually loose its concentration and eventually   recede into the silver base metal. It not so much that the gold has diminished, but rather the silver has surfaced.  Tarnishing is what happens when gold plated jewelry losses its lust and color.

Better quality gold plated will have a tendency to last longer when copper is used as a substitution over silver. Although copper will still reactive to gold, it does it at a lesser degree. Eventually, in due time, it too will also loose its color, but just not as quickly.

The highest quality of gold plated jewelry is when nickel is added as an additional barrier between the gold and silver/copper. Nickel will not pass through gold. As a result, you have a much better product. The only disadvantage of using nickel is the potential of having a reaction by people who are sensitive to this material.  For those who are not sensitive, this is the best alternative to prolonging the life of gold plated jewelry.