Gold is a precious metal found in nature, and it’s often quite pure. It’s soft and easy to shape, so people use it to make things like coins, bars, and jewelry. Gold-plated jewelry is popular for its durability and affordability. When shopping for one piece of jewelry with beautiful gold color, you may ask: does the gold-plated jewelry use real gold?
Yes. But it’s important to know the process involved. Gold-plated jewelry combines real gold with a separate base metal. Although these items lack solid gold composition, the plating is authentically crafted from real gold. To qualify as “gold plated,” the gold layer must measure 0.5 micron or more. This technique enhances the aesthetic appeal of the jewelry, providing an affordable option that retains the luxurious look of solid gold.
The combination of real gold in the plating process ensures a desirable balance between cost and aesthetic value. Gold-plated pieces have become popular for those seeking elegant accessories without the full expense of solid gold jewelry. Additionally, the specified micron threshold serves as a standard to maintain the quality and authenticity of gold-plated items in the market.
What is Gold-Plated Jewelry?
Gold-plated jewelry involves the application of a thin layer of gold onto the surface of a base metal, such as copper, sterling silver or stainless steel. This process is known as electroplating, aims to give the jewelry the same appearance of solid gold while using a more affordable base metal.
What is Real Gold?
“Real gold” usually means pure gold, which is called 24-karat gold. Pure gold is 24 karats, indicating it is entirely gold with no other metals blended. Nevertheless, pure gold is often too soft for practical purposes, like in jewelry, as it can be easily scratched or deformed. To enhance its strength and durability, gold is usually combined with additional metals such as copper, silver, or zinc.
What is Solid Gold?
Solid gold means the entire piece is made of pure gold without any coating or other metals. It’s the most reliable kind of gold jewelry because there’s no risk of another metal showing through with wear and tear. You can trust that as your jewelry ages, only gold will be revealed. This is an ideal choice and also the most durable option.
It’s crucial to understand that when we say “solid gold” for jewelry, it doesn’t mean the jewelry is pure gold. Pure gold (24 karats) is too soft for everyday use, so a common choice is 14k solid gold for items like wedding rings. In 14k gold, these additional metals make the jewelry stronger and more durable for regular wear. Choosing a lower karatage like 14k and 18k to obtain a balance between gold’s beauty and the jewelry’s ability to withstand daily activities.
It’s important to be aware that, over time and with regular wear, the gold plating on jewelry can wear off, revealing the base metal beneath. The durability of gold-plated jewelry depends on factors such as the thickness of the gold layer and how well the piece is cared for.
While gold-plated jewelry provides a more affordable option compared to solid gold, it still contains real gold and can offer an attractive and cost-effective alternative for those seeking the look of gold without the higher price.
To ensure that it remains in good condition and retains its beauty for an extended period. You may need to know the tips of how to clean gold-plated jewelry at home.