Is It OK to Wear Gold-Plated Jewelry?
People looking to buy gold-plated jewelry are often asking us, “Is it OK to wear gold-plated jewelry?” because they are unsure what it is and whether their investment is worth it.
Here we will explain all about gold-plated jewelry. What it is, how it’s made and why it’s even better than solid gold jewelry. Let’s dive in and answer all questions!
Is It OK to Wear Gold Plated Jewelry?
Yes. It is more than OK to wear gold-plated jewelry. This type of jewelry uses real 24k gold for its golden layer over the base metal, but it costs only a fraction of the price of solid gold.
Gold-plated jewelry at Agapé is made with quality in mind. While others use 0.5 microns of gold as the thickness of the layer, we use six times that. With our 3 microns of sustainable gold, the jewelry we produce looks absolutely like solid gold, with the same shine but even better design. We even offer a 2-year warranty for your Agapé pieces against oxidation and gilding defects.
Also Read: How Many Grams Is A Gold Choker?
What is Gold-Plated Jewelry?
Gold-plated jewelry is jewelry that has been plated with noble gold after being cast in brass or other base metals. At Agapé, we use hypoallergenic brass that was carefully cut and molded after being 3D designed by our ancient-jewelry experts.
Our gold-plated jewelry is a fantastic way to enhance your beautiful look and make it classy without overpaying for solid gold pieces.
The only thing gold-plated jewelry requires is to be appropriately looked after when wearing it regularly. This is because the gold plating may react more quickly to certain chemicals from the environment and the products you’re using, while solid gold is more resistant.
However, the cleaning and maintenance part of it isn’t complicated at all. Below, we will discuss how to properly maintain your 24K gold-plated jewelry and its shine for years to come. Some say gold-plated jewelry lasts 5-6 years, but there’s no reason why it shouldn’t last a lifetime if it were properly cared for.
Also Read: How Much Does A Gold Choker Cost?
Is It OK to Wear Gold-Plated Jewelry and How to Care For it?
If not properly cleaned and cared for, gold-plated jewelry may tarnish over time because of the reactions with certain chemicals in your routine like makeup, perfume, body lotion, and more that we will mention below.
This doesn’t mean that the gold-plated jewelry you have is not of good quality but simply that the base metal underneath has reacted to the strong chemicals your jewelry was exposed to.
Jewelry is absolutely essential to any outfit if you want to embellish your look.
That’s why, when you have finally found your favorite gold-plated pieces, it is vital to maintain them and ensure they look their best for the years to come.
To maximize its longevity, we have given you some tips and tricks on how to handle it carefully overall. But worry no more; these things are really not complicated. It’s just a matter of finding some time every couple of months, the proper tools, and some patience. That sure is worth seeing that 24k shine every day.
Also Read: Is Gold-Plated Jewelry Good?
Steer Away From Chemicals and Acids
Agapé uses lead-free, nickel-free, hypoallergenic brass as a metal base for our gold-plated jewelry. We also galvanize our elements prior to plating to protect them from rusting.
However, even though we devote utmost attention and care to the production of each piece, you still need to protect your gold-plated jewelry from the following potentially harmful chemicals and compounds:
- Makeup - Apply makeup first and let it dry before putting on your gold-plated jewelry
- Chlorine - Don’t wear your gold-plated pieces in the pool. The chlorine from the water will start degrading the plating causing it to tarnish and flake over time
- Saltwater - Leave your gold-plated jewelry to rest at home when going to the beach. The sun, the chemicals, the sand, and salty water are all potentially harmful to the gold plating
- SPFs and body lotions - Wash away any SPF residue before putting on your gold-plated jewelry. Also, wait for your body lotion to soak up into your skin before putting your jewelry on.
Let Perfume Dry First
Before putting your gold-plated jewelry on, make sure the perfume has dried and you have no residue of it on your hands either.
Perfume may be the reason if you notice that your gold-plated necklaces or bracelets tarnish faster than your other gold-plated pieces. The chemicals in a fragrance will cause the gold plating to erode, and we want to avoid that.
Keep Gold-Plated Jewelry Away from Sweat
Don’t carry your gold-plated jewelry in the gym or any other place where you exercise. The weights may physically damage your gold-plated rings, while sweat may chemically harm the plating. Not only that you will prolong the life of your gold-plated pieces, but you will also protect the environment from pollution if you don’t throw away your jewelry as soon as it starts tarnishing or the color fades.
Don’t Shower With Gold-Plated Jewelry On
If you often forget to take off your jewelry while taking a shower, think again. The residue of water and shampoo on your gold-plated pieces may start eroding the plating and cause them to tarnish, especially if your area has hard water. Taking them off before showering goes a long way, and we can’t recommend it enough.
Regular Cleaning
Cleaning your gold-plated jewelry after each use makes a difference in maintaining your jewelry. Our skin accumulates bacteria daily and produces oils and sweat that have certain reactions with the jewelry you are wearing. Even solid gold will tarnish if not cleaned properly after some time.
Wipe your gold-plated jewelry after each wear but be gentle while doing so. Use a soft microfiber cloth to polish it without scratching off the gold plating. Don’t use any actual polishing materials because they might be too hard on the plating.
Also Read: Does Gold-Plated Mean Fake?
Deep Clean Your Gold-Plated Pieces Periodically
From time to time, we recommend that you perform some more thorough cleaning of your gold-plated jewelry pieces.
- Fill a bowl with lukewarm water, and use a gentle soap (not antibacterial because of the harsh chemicals) to create foamy water.
- Soak your gold-plated pieces for about 10 minutes or until the residue starts coming off. Even if you don’t see any visible residue, the soap and warm water will loosen up any dirt and grime that has accumulated over time.
- Take your pieces out and wipe them dry with a soft cloth to restore their shine.
Store Your Gold-Plated Jewelry Individually
This last piece of advice actually works for any type of jewelry. You don’t want your necklaces tangled up, or chunky rings scratching your delicate rings or pendants. Finding an intelligent storage solution goes a long way in preserving your jewelry’s natural shine.
Use our soft poaches to store your pieces separately. Also, individually wrapping your necklaces or chokers will prevent them from tangling and scratching into looking lustrous for longer.