If you’ve bought jewelry before, chances are you’ve got some gold plated pieces in your collection. Gold plating allows designers to create beautiful shapes out of stronger metals while helping to keep the costs down. As a result, many people actually prefer gold plated jewelry, since it's affordable and just as beautiful to look at. Here, we discuss everything you need to know about the popular metal, how to clean gold plated jewelry, and how you can keep your gold-plated collection sparkling for many years.
Gold Plated
This is the least expensive type of gold jewelry and is made with a thin layer of gold that's adhered to a metal such as copper or silver through the use of chemicals or electricity. Gold plating is a popular choice for trendy jewelry items that aren't intended to be worn for long periods. After some time, the thin layer of gold will get damaged or dissolve and rub off.
How often should we clean our gold plated Jewelry?
Every piece of gold-plated jewelry you have should be wiped down with microfiber cloth or a damp cotton ball after wearing it to remove surface soil and smudges. If your gold-plated jewelry has been exposed to alcohol, chlorine, acids, and sulfur compounds, then a more thorough cleaning is needed. This is because these substances cause the base metals to tarnish.
Tips for cleaning your jewellery
Follow these tips so you can keep your gold-plated jewelry as lustrous as when you first got it. We've also included ways that you can take preventative measures to make sure damages over time are minimal.
- Don't wear any gold-plated jewelry when applying perfume, make-up, or hairspray.
- Before handling gold-plated jewelry, make sure that your hands are free from make-up, lotion, and soil.
- Make sure to remove any gold-plated jewelry when preparing acidic foods.
- Before exercising, remember to remove gold-plated pieces to prevent salts from damaging your jewelry. This also applies to other activities that lead to excessive sweating.
- While you're wearing gold-plated jewelry, don't swim in salt-water or chlorinated pools.
- Keep in mind not to carry gold-plated jewelry in a purse along with other pieces to avoid damaging them.
- Remember to store all gold-plated pieces in small, separate boxes to prevent them from scratching each other.
What you need for cleaning
Supplies:
- Dishwashing liquid
- Warm water
Tools:
- Small bowl
- Microfiber cloth or jewelry cloth
- Cotton ball
- Cotton swab
Extending the life of your gold plated Jewelry
By following the suggestions below, you'll significantly extend the life of your gold-plated jewelry.
- Always wash and dry your hands before putting on and taking off any gold-plated jewelry.
- Before putting on gold plated earrings, make sure that you've applied your perfume first.
- Apply lotion and makeup first before wearing your favorite plated jewelry.
- Remove your plated rings or bracelets first before chopping tomatoes or other acidic food items.
- Avoid rubbing plated necklaces and bracelets against each other and avoid plated rings from rubbing into countertops.
- Prevent rubbing your car keys against your plated jewelry when reaching for them inside your purse or pocket.
- Remove your plated rings and bracelets before changing your baby's nappies.
- Remove all plated jewelry before going for a swim.
- Remove all plated jewelry if you'll be participating in activities where you may sweat profusely.
- When cleaning your plated jewelry, be sure to take care and be gentle with it — rubbing may have negative effects.
- Store all your plated jewelry in a soft cloth or pouch separately from all other jewelry.