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Article: Does Gold-Plated Fade in Time?

Gold Plated Fade

Does Gold-Plated Fade in Time?

INES Bracelet by Agape Studio

INES Bracelet by Agape Studio

Have you seen gold plated jewelry you like? If you’re planning to buy, surely you are wondering “Does gold plated fade in time?” because after all, when buying gold, surely you want it to last for as long as possible.

Whether your gold-plated jewelry will fade or not truly depends on the use and maintenance you provide for it after each wear but also on the way it is made. In this blog, we will talk all about how and why does gold-plated fade, and how long it will stay shining as new.

Why Does Gold-Plated Fade?

Gold-plated jewelry is actually made of real gold and when new resembles solid gold without people being able to tell the difference. However, once you start wearing it, it might begin showing signs of wear and tear. These depend on how it was made and also how well you take care of it.

Now we will discuss the main points of well-made gold plated jewelry will guarantee and why it won’t fade as quickly, if ever, as the poorly made gold-plated jewelry.

  • Well-made gold-plated jewelry, like the one we create at Agapé, is coated with a 3-micron layer of gold as opposed to the industry standard of 0.5 microns of gold. This ensures that there is enough gold to resist scratching and regular wear and tear. Gold in gold-plated jewelry, also, as one of the least oxidative and most resistant metals gives its base metal protection from reacting with water, oxygen, and other chemicals from the surrounding so it does not rust or come to the surface in contact with your skin. In the meanwhile, the base metal that’s underneath the gold plating gives gold the much-needed resilience and solidity since gold in its pure state is quite soft and bendable. So, gold-plated jewelry works as the perfect combo.
  • Carefully crafted gold-plated jewelry is also hypoallergenic, nickel, and lead-free so it won’t irritate your skin as easily. At Agapé, we galvanize each element of our jewelry so it doesn’t rust.
  • Lastly, our gold is sustainably sourced so that no mining was involved in the process instead, we recycle and don’t overburden our Planet even when creating new pieces of jewelry.

Also Read: ARE GOLD-PLATED EARRINGS OK FOR SENSITIVE EARS?

How Does Gold-Plated Fade and How to Prevent It?

GALLA Bracelet by Agape Studio

GALLA Bracelet by Agape Studio

Gold-plated may fade in time if you don’t take good care of it. Here are some basics of maintaining your favorite accessories and keeping their shine for as long as possible.

Also Read: DO GOLD-PLATED EARRINGS TARNISH?

Invest in a Soft Cloth

Gold plating is the design and durability you love without the pure gold price tag. We recommend that you clean your gold-plated jewelry at least 4 times a year. If there is a piece of jewelry you particularly love and wear very often, then, once every 6 weeks would be a good practice to maintain its beauty.

You can clean your gold-plated jewelry with a “soft, non-abrasive, and lint-free cloth or chamois to keep the shine. Gently clean every detail of it by rubbing the surface. Even spot-treat if needed to remove all the dirt and chemical residue well. Please remember never to use a polishing cloth, as this will strip away the plating. Once you wipe it clean, make sure you store your gold-plated jewelry away from direct sunlight, dust, or moisture. It’s best if each piece has its own poach to avoid rubbing and scratching against each other.

Such regular maintenance of your gold-plated jewelry will keep it shiny and scratch-free for longer. If left unmaintained, gold plating may fade or tarnish because of the oils in our skin and the products we use such as body lotion, perfume, makeup, and so on.

Also Read: WHAT ARE GOLD-PLATED EARRINGS?

How to Deep-Clean Your Gold-Plated Jewelry?

ACHILLE Choker by Agape Studio

ACHILLE Choker by Agape Studio

If you already have gold-plated jewelry you haven’t cleaned in a while and you’re just finding out that you actually should, no worries, nothing is lost. We would recommend doing a deep clean initially after which you will normally maintain your jewelry as we described above.

  • Mix lukewarm water with mild dish soap in a small bowl and soak your gold dipped jewelry until the build-up starts coming off. Don’t use antibacterial soap because these chemicals are too strong for the plating and might cause it to tarnish.

If your gold-plated jewelry is beyond cleaning at this point and these methods don’t work, then we recommend taking it for professional cleaning or re-plating.

Don’t Expose It to Water Unnecessarily

Avoid unnecessary contact with water whenever possible. This is because not all manufacturers use a 3-micron gold plating like we at Agapé do, so being extra careful always pays off.

Especially avoid pool water because of the chlorine and when headed to the beach, leave your jewelry to rest at home.

Also Read: ARE GOLD-PLATED EARRINGS GOOD?

Be Mindful with Chemicals

We all like to wear makeup, douse in body lotion, and smell nice, but keep in mind that all these chemicals can damage precious metals by dulling or eroding them.

Don’t spray perfume on your gold-plated jewelry, not even on solid gold pieces. The chemicals can create a reaction similar to oxidation which can turn your gold black.

This is reversible but can be a little shocking if you’re not expecting it.

All these chemicals on your skin can create a thin film on your jewelry that will make the gold seem dull, losing its shine. Make gold-plated jewelry the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off. This is your golden rule of maintenance.

Store Your Gold-Plated Jewelry Safely

ACHILLE Bracelet by Agape Studio

ACHILLE Bracelet by Agape Studio

In our experience, storing is just as important as knowing how to clean your gold-plated jewelry.

We previously recommended storing jewelry in a pouch, case, or jewelry box to prevent tarnishing and fading. Furthermore, you need to store it in a dark, cool, and dry place to avoid humidity and heat, which can cause tarnishing.

Make sure each piece has enough space so it doesn’t come in contact with other jewelry pieces that can scratch or chip the finish.

Does Gold-Plated Fade? Final Words

How long should gold-plated jewelry last? With proper care, your gold-plated jewelry will last for 6 years or more. If made with quality and love in mind like Agapé’s, it might even last a lot longer than that. As long as you keep it away from the elements like salt, water, sweat, high humidity, as well as chemicals from cleaners or perfumes, you can expect longevity and a golden shine forever.

Lastly, don’t despair if your favorite gold-plated jewelry fades or tarnishes. You can always restore it by re-plating it.

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