As a kind of popular accessory, stainless steel jewelry is cherished for its exceptional durability, affordability and timeless beauty. The outer thin layer of gold is electroplated onto the stainless steel and is used for its appearance and aesthetics.
What is Gold-Plated Stainless Steel Jewelry?
Gold-plated stainless steel is a type of metal product where a thin layer of gold is applied to the surface of stainless steel through a process known as electroplating.
Gold-plated stainless steel jewelry will tarnish or show signs of wear over time, just like any other plated metal. The gold plating provides some protection against tarnishing. However, the gold layer can wear off over time with regular use.
There are several materials used to plate stainless steel jewelry, we listed four.
What is used to plate stainless steel jewelry?
- Gold-plating
- Rose gold plating
- Rhodium plating: bright, silver-like color.
- Black plating: with matte black finish.
What are the factors that effect the rate of your gold-plated stainless steel jewelry’s tarnishing?
Plating Quality: High-quality gold plating is less likely to tarnish or wear off quickly.
Plating Thickness: The thickness of the gold layer can affect how long this stainless steel item maintains its appearance. The thicker the gold layer is, the longer the jewelry can last.
Care and Maintenance: Proper care can extend the life of your jewelry. Remember: Avoid exposing them to harsh chemicals, such as bleach, chlorine and others to prevent plating from damaging. Use a soft, damp cloth to clean the item gently.
Wear and Contact: The more your jewelry comes into contact with substances like lotions, perfumes, sweat, and chemicals, the faster tarnishing may occur. They can react with the gold plating and accelerate the tarnishing process.
pH Levels of Your Skin: The pH levels of an individual’s skin can affect the rate the jewelry tarnishes. Usually, skin with high acidity levels can cause the gold plating to wear off more quickly.
Gold-plated items are not as durable as solid gold or other precious metals, and the plating may eventually wear away, exposing the underlying stainless steel. The rate of tarnishing and wear can vary depending on the quality of the plating and how well you care for them. If you want a more durable and long-lasting golden look, you might consider investing in solid gold jewelry or items. With the same budget, you can buy more pieces of gold-plated stainless steel jewelry and it is totally up to your preference.
We all know that the methods of jewelry’s care is quite necessary, and if you want to know more about it, please click and read the article: How to clean gold-plated jewelry at home.