What is Gold Plating? Let’s explore its features

What exactly is a gold piece of jewelry?

To understand what gold-plated jewelry is, it's essential to first understand what gold is and how it is measured.

Pure gold is too soft to be used on its own in jewelry making, so it’s always combined with other metals like silver, copper, or zinc. This combination is known as an alloy. The proportion of gold in the alloy can vary, and it’s measured in ‘carats.’ This can also be expressed in thousandths. The highest quality is 24 carats, which means 99.9% pure gold. However, you’ll rarely find 24-carat gold jewelry in stores because it’s too soft.

In jewelry, high-quality pieces are typically made of 18-carat gold. You might also see 750/000, indicating that 75% of the alloy is gold. This results in a precious, shiny, and durable metal. There are also 14-carat (585/000) and 9-carat (375/000) gold jewelry pieces. Since they contain less gold, they are more affordable while still being solid gold.

So, what is gold-plated jewelry?

Gold-plated jewelry involves covering a base metal with a layer of gold. The gold used can range from 12 to 18 carats.

At Once, the base of our gold-plated jewelry is made of lead-free, nickel-free, making it hypoallergenic. The thickness of our plating starts at 1 microns and can go up to 3 microns, especially for stone-set pieces. The plating is done using 18-carat gold (750/000), and the finishing layer is made from 980/000 gold, which protects against natural oxidation. We aim to ensure high-quality plating that guarantees long-lasting shine and durability. Additionally, 100% of the gold used in our production is recycled to minimize the environmental impact. Caring for gold-plated jewelry is relatively simple, and you can check out our Product Care page for more information.

What’s the difference between “Gold-Plated” and “Gilded”?

In the fashion jewelry world, you may come across terms like “Gilded” or “Gilded with Fine Gold.” While these terms sound appealing, they can be misleading and create confusion for consumers.

Although they may look similar, there is a significant difference in quality between gold-plated and gilded jewelry, which also explains the price difference. While gold plating has a minimum thickness of 3 microns, gilded jewelry involves a coating with gold that’s only between 0.1 and 0.99 micron thick. In contrast, “gilded” may simply refer to a gold-colored paint with no actual gold content. There’s 30 times more gold in gold-plated jewelry than in gilded jewelry.

Gilded jewelry is understandably less durable; the top layer tends to wear off quickly, and the color and shine won’t last as long. It’s not recommended to expose gilded jewelry to water or wear it during sports activities. Although they are cheaper, their quality is much lower.

To sum it up:

Enhanced Aesthetics: Gold plating gives jewelry a rich, lustrous finish that closely resembles solid gold, making pieces look more luxurious.

Durability: A properly applied gold plating layer, typically between 3 to 5 microns thick, provides resistance against wear and tarnish, ensuring the jewelry maintains its shine over time.

Hypoallergenic Base: High-quality gold-plated items, like those from Lucette, use hypoallergenic base metals such as lead-free, nickel-free, and cadmium-free brass, making them safe for sensitive skin.

Variety of Colors: Gold plating can come in various shades, such as the “champagne” color offered by some brands, allowing for diverse and stylish designs.

Affordability: Gold-plated jewelry offers the luxurious look of gold at a more accessible price point compared to solid gold pieces.

Eco-Friendly: Many gold-plated products use recycled gold, reducing the environmental impact and promoting sustainability.

Ease of Maintenance: Gold-plated jewelry is relatively easy to care for, requiring simple maintenance to keep it looking its best.

Gold-plated jewelry offers a great alternative to solid gold. It’s more affordable while maintaining an optimal level of quality and durability. So, treat yourself and explore our collection of gold-plated jewelry to wear every day!