How to care for gold plated jewellery
If you regularly buy gold plated jewellery then you may have already noticed how that gorgeous gold colour can quickly fade, especially if the metal underneath is silver and your piece has only been ‘flash plated’ in a thin layer of gold (which is often the case with cheaper jewellery).
The reason it will fade so quickly is not only down to the thickness of the gold layer on top and the quality of the plating itself, but also the way you wear it and look after it. So if you want your piece to stay gold as long as possible, it’s vital you learn how best to care for it! See below to read our top tips!
How to care for gold plated jewellery:
Always take off your gold plated jewellery before showering or bathing. Constant exposure to water will speed up how quickly your piece fades and if your piece is brass or bronze underneath, you may eventually start to notice green marks on your skin.
Avoid spraying perfume or using moisturiser on or around your piece. Any chemicals on or around your piece will slowly corrode the plating and start stripping layers away.
Always take off your jewellery at bedtime and give it a quick wipe down with a microfibre cloth to remove any grease or dirt from the day. Keeping your piece clean and dry is the best way to preserve the gold layers.
Store your gold plated piece in a dry, cool place and its own pouch or box and separate from other pieces of jewellery.
Also avoid wearing your jewellery whilst exercising/sweating!
And finally, be sure to remove before swimming or going in a hot tub as chlorine will quickly tarnish your piece!
Of course, the more you love and wear your gold plated jewellery, the more it will eventually rub off. However, it is possible for a jeweller like myself, to re-plate most pieces quite easily. So if you have a piece you’d like to re-plate in gold, then I can do this for you, so do get in touch to get a quote.
Emma x
Narratorium