Is there any difference between gold-finished and gold-plated or is it just a new way to market gold plate? A. "Gold-plated" items have an industry standard of 0.15 to 0.25 mils thickness of gold which is plated to the surface of the base metal. "Gold-finished" items may or may not meet that industry standard.
Gold-filled jewelry has 100x more gold alloy than gold plated and because that layer is so much thicker, it means gold-filled jewelry lasts longer and stands up to wear and tear better than gold plated. All it would take is one small scratch on a gold-plated piece to expose the jeweler's brass underneath.
Gold finish jewelry does not contain gold or very little (not enough for the designation gold with fine gold). They are generally alloys of metals which are similar to gold by their golden yellow color like copper or brass for example. We will find rose gold, satin gold as well as matt gold.
Gold Filled: A piece of jewelry that is gold filled consists of 5% solid gold that is mechanically bonded to the base metal (bronze/brass). This mean that gold fill jewelry has up to 100 times more gold that gold plated jewelry.
Gold Plated jewellery is essentially where a metal goes through a process called 'electroplating' to cover it with a thin layer of gold to create its finished look. Plating is quite common in the jewellery world, with gold and rhodium being two popular types.
However, over time the jewellery can lose its shine and become slightly tarnished. This can happen when the gold reacts with moisture and air leading it to oxidize. As dust, dirt and oil from your skin, moisturiser and perfume accumulate onto the gold plating, the jewellery begins to dull or appear darkened.
As long as gold filled pieces are well cared for, they can last a lifetime. Gold plated pieces, on the other hand, can last up to a year if kept away from water, wear, and heat. It's also worth mentioning that gold filled pieces with lower karat weight (9-14k) may be more durable than pieces with greater gold content.
Gold-plated jewelry can fade and tarnish but this doesn't happen to all of them. Jewelry pieces, like the ones produced by Artizan, have a stainless steel base that prevents it from fading or tarnishing.
In addition to tarnishing, moisture can cause the bright finish on your 18k gold-plated jewelry to turn dull and lifeless if you wear gold in the shower. Moisture can also cause the gold plating to fade over time.
Gold is the most non-reactive of all metals and is benign in all natural and industrial environments. Gold never reacts with oxygen (one of the most active elements), which means it will not rust or tarnish.
Waterproof: No. Do not swim or shower in it. Wait to put on your jewelry until after you have applied lotion, makeup or perfume. Care tips: Last about two years before the gold plating begins to tarnish and wear down.
Do Gold-Plated Necklaces Turn Green? Yes, gold-plated necklaces can turn green, but this is not because of the gold plating itself. Instead, it is due to the underlying metal reacting with the wearer's skin.
Important Things To Know About Gold Plated Jewelry. Inexpensive costume jewelry is often made using some type of gold-plating process. The gold plating makes more valuable-looking pieces available to people who may not otherwise have the budget for solid gold.
We Recommend Gold-Filled Jewelry
It is more durable, does not tarnish, and has a higher gold content than gold-plated jewelry.
Value - Solid gold has a higher value than gold plated because it has a higher percentage of gold. Solid gold is only made of gold alloy, whereas gold plated has only a small coating of gold. Therefore, solid gold jewelry is often more valuable than gold plated.
Gold-plated jewelry should be wiped down with a damp cotton ball or microfiber cloth after every use to remove smudges and surface soil. A more thorough cleaning should be done after exposure to chlorine, alcohol, acids, and sulfur compounds that cause the base metals to tarnish.
Because it is frequently exposed to the elements and can cause damage, pieces that are worn daily will wear out faster. The average lifespan of gold-plated pieces is two years. After that, the gold plated jewelry tarnishes and starts to wear down.
Solid Gold Jewelry
This precious metal is one of the few that won't tarnish or rust over time. Since it's non-reactive, it will resist corrosion for a long time and can be worn in the shower without any fear of tarnishing. Whether it's regular gold, white gold, or rose gold, it's safe in the shower.
Our fashion jewellery ranges are made of alloy and then plated for colour. We advise you not to wear your fashion jewellery in water, when using cleaning products, lotions or perfumes. These chemicals can cause tarnishing. We also offer polishing cloths in store and online.
Even gold-plated fashion jewelry will turn your skin green after wearing it for some time. This is because the gold-plating will wear off and your skin is will be in direct contact with the base metal alloy. Pure gold not only holds and increases in value, but it also looks gorgeous forever.
The gold finish that's trending now is not the dated and unfashionable brass of decades past. This is a refined and classy take on gold for your faucets and fixtures. The best place to explore this trending finish? The kitchen sink, of course!
For example, 24-karat gold is 100% gold and, therefore, will not tarnish at all. 18-karat gold is 75% gold and 25% other metals, and it will take much longer to tarnish than 14-karat gold, which is only 58% pure gold.
Gold-finished items are electroplated with a layer of gold that has no standards at all. The thickness of the gold plating on an item can either let the base metal show through or conceal the color of the base metal entirely--like the difference between a bridal veil and a trench coat.