How a Gold Plated Necklace Is Different From a Solid Gold Necklace
While solid gold jewelry is a beautiful option, it’s not always the best for guys. It tarnishes and fades easily.
Gold plated necklaces are becoming increasingly popular because of their affordability and versatility. Typically, these pieces contain a small amount of actual gold with a karatage ranging from 10K to 24K, but this minimal quantity does not significantly affect the piece’s value.
It’s Affordable
If you’re on the hunt for a gold necklace but don’t want to drop a fortune, look no further than gold plated jewelry. This style is made by plating a thin layer of real gold over a base metal like brass or silver. The process makes it much more affordable than solid gold and just as durable, so you can add a touch of luxe to your wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Gold plated jewelry typically has about 0.05% pure gold and is bonded to a base metal with an electric current in a bath of chemical solution. The result is a durable and hypoallergenic piece that won’t tarnish or fade over time. Gold-plated pieces also won’t cause skin irritation or allergies.
The karat number of a gold item determines how much pure gold it is, but 24K would be too soft to make into a jewellery item, so jewellers alloy it with other metals or coat it with other metals to create a strong, workable product. Because of this, a gold-plated piece is actually stronger than its solid gold counterpart. This durability also makes it a great choice for daily wear, as it’s more resistant to dents and scratches.
Missoma’s gold-plated items are crafted with 3-micron gold plating, which is significantly thicker than other gold-plated jewellery on the market. However, the brand recommends you always take your jewellery off before showering or swimming as chlorine, salt water, soap, and perfume can damage precious metals. Additionally, it’s best to store your gold-plated jewellery separately from other pieces to avoid abrasion.
If you’re looking for a more durable and cost-effective alternative to solid gold, try gold vermeil or rose gold. Both are a good option for everyday wear, but vermeil is more durable than gold plated due to the higher gold content (up to 100%).
When we asked trend forecasters what gifts they expected to fly off the virtual shelves this holiday season, almost all of them said “gold”—specifically, layers of dainty gold necklaces and bracelets that will help you look more put-together on Zoom meetings. If you’re unsure where to start, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite gold-plated options from our collection that are just as chic as they are budget-friendly.
It’s Versatile
Gold plated jewelry is a great alternative to solid gold as it looks the same and is not nearly as expensive! The process of plating involves covering a base metal (typically silver) with a thin layer gold plated necklace of gold using electrochemical plating. To ensure the success of this process, the base metal must be thoroughly cleaned to remove any pollutants that could cause the gold layer not to bond properly. This can be done through steam cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning and/or electrocleaning. After the piece has been cleaned, the gold layer is applied using an electrochemical method. Once the gold has been applied, it is polished and buffed to give it an even appearance.
As a result, a gold plated necklace is extremely versatile and can be worn with many different outfits. It’s also an excellent choice for those who want to try out a new trend without having to make a large investment.
Another advantage of gold plated jewelry is that it is less likely to tarnish than solid gold pieces, which is because the gold layer is much thinner. Moreover, gold-plated items typically have a higher copper content than pure gold, which makes them more resistant to corrosion.
Regardless of whether it’s a solid gold necklace or a gold-plated one, you should take good care of it to prevent it from tarnishing and losing its shine. Sophie Monet Okulick, founder of the eponymous brand Sophie Monet suggests cleaning gold plated jewelry regularly with a gentle cleaner or warm water, or using an at-home gold plating kit to keep it shiny and lustrous.
In addition, you should avoid storing your gold-plated jewellery in humid places, such as the bathroom. Moisture can cause the gold to flake and become dull, and it can also lead to corrosion of the base metal. Similarly, you should remove your jewellery before swimming in a salt or chlorine pool, showering or participating in any other activities that may expose it to moisture.
Although solid gold is a luxurious and beautiful option for jewellery, it is also quite expensive, which can be an issue for many people. Fortunately, there are alternatives that can provide the look of gold at a fraction of the cost – such as vermeil or gold-filled jewellery. These types of pieces have a higher percentage of gold than plated jewellery, making them more durable and long-lasting.
It’s Durable
Gold is a hard metal, and jewelry that contains it tends to be durable. However, when it comes to plated jewelry, this is not always the case. In most cases, a base metal is used and then coated with a thin layer of gold. This is done with a electrochemical process and is known as a wet plating technique.
The result is that a piece of jewelry that is often indistinguishable from solid gold can be sold at an affordable price. In fact, there are a variety of styles and colors to choose from, which makes it easy to find a piece that matches any outfit.
In addition to being durable, gold plated necklaces are also lightweight. This allows them to be worn for longer periods of time without being uncomfortable. As a result, they are a great choice for people who are looking to wear their favorite piece of jewelry everyday.
As with other types of jewelry, it is important to properly care for your gold plated necklaces in order to extend their life. This includes storing them in a secure pouch or jewelry box to protect them from being scratched or damaged. It is also important to keep your gold plated jewelry away from certain substances such as chlorine, salt water, sweat, and perfume. These substances can cause the gold to tarnish, and this will lead to the loss of its shine.
When purchasing gold plated jewelry, it is important to read the label carefully. A quality piece of jewelry should have GP (gold-plated), RGP, or HGP stamped on the label. This will indicate the percentage of actual gold that is used in the item.
While gold-plated jewelry is not worth as much as a solid gold piece, it is still an excellent option for those who are looking to purchase a piece of jewelry that will last them for a long time. Just be sure to remove your gold plated jewelry before going into the pool, showering, or engaging in activities that could cause it to be scratched or damaged.
It’s Stylish
Gold is a classic metal that works well with all types of clothing and looks great on every skin tone. It is also one of the most affordable and durable options when it comes to jewellery. That is why many people choose to wear it. Whether you’re looking for a bold metal piece to add some drama or you just want to make an elegant statement, a gold plated necklace is the perfect choice. It looks like a real gold piece but is much more affordable. Plus, it’s also easier to keep clean.
Gold plated jewellery is made of a mix of real gold twinned with a different base metal. The process is less expensive to produce than solid gold and allows for the creation of affordable pieces while achieving that bold metal look that so many people love. To be labelled as gold-plated, the layer of gold must be equal to or greater than 0.5 microns.
To create a gold plated piece, the base metal is dipped into a solution that contains gold. Then, an electric current is passed through the item to create an electrochemical reaction that deposits a layer of gold on the base metal. gold plated necklace This is the same process that is used to create vermeil but gold-plated jewellery doesn’t need to meet a minimum karat weight or thickness requirement.
However, it is important to note that plated jewellery can tarnish more easily than gold-vermeil. This is because the molecules of the base metal can move into the thin gold layer and deteriorate it over time. This is why it’s best to wear a gold plated necklace only when you know you’ll be wearing it for a long time and to take it off before showering or swimming.
In addition to water, other factors that can impact a gold-plated piece of jewellery are perfume, hairspray, makeup, and body oils. These substances can build up on the gold plating and cause it to tarnish or even peel off entirely, which will reveal the brass or copper base metal underneath. If you are sensitive to lower base metals, it’s best to choose gold-vermeil or solid gold pieces instead.