We love jewelry that is spectacular and stands out without much effort. Jewelry crafted to perfection.
We want jewelry that pops everyday!
For a shine that lasts really long, gold jewelry is a great option but can represent quite a large financial investment. However, you can always be glad with a gold-plated alternative.
These days, gold-plated jewelry is in sync with the latest trends, and available at affordable prices. Dainty and elegant or chunky and cool- gold-plated accessories can compliment any style making them the most sought-after option.
Teal & Stone’s jewelry is either gold-plated brass or gold-plated sterling silver; both are great options for people who want the same classy, sophisticated, high-end look as gold but at an affordable price.
Now, it’s important to understand the types of gold-plated jewelry available in the market. Each is different in quality, durability and affordability. Read on to make the right decision.
- Gold Plating
A layer of gold is bonded to a base metal during the gold plating process.
The gold layer must be at least 0.5 microns thick to be called gold plated. A thicker gold layer means a longer finish. Teal & Stone usually coats gold-plated items in at least 2 microns, to ensure a longer lastime piece.
From the money standpoint, this alternative is unbeatable. You can buy many gold-plated pieces for a fraction of the cost of the real gold jewelry.
- Gold Vermeil
Gold vermeil, also known as "heavy gold plating," uses the same method as gold plating. However, to be named "vermeil," the piece must be made of 925 sterling silver, the gold must be at least 10K, and the plating must be at least 2.5 microns thick.
Apart from real gold, gold vermeil is the highest grade and longest lasting alternative for everyday use.
- Flash Plating
The process of electroplating a very thin layer of gold which is less than 0.175 microns is known as flash plating. This is the least expensive plating option.
To boost durability, an extra protective layer through e- coating can be added.
- Gold Filled
A thin layer of gold is mechanically bonded to the outside of a core material using this old-fashioned process from the early 1900s.
Unlike gold plating, which is calculated in thickness, gold-filled jewelry is measured in weight; the gold layer must account for at least 5% of the entire weight of the piece.
Now to answer your ultimate question-
How long does gold-plated jewelry last?
Since the base is not gold, the plating is at risk of wearing off.
This depends on a few things.
First, the purity of gold used to plate the jewelry.
Since gold is a nonreactive metal, the purer it is, the less it tarnishes. Silver and copper, on the other hand, will oxidise. Because 14K gold contains more copper and silver than 18K gold, it is more likely to tarnish.
Most gold-plated jewelry in Teal & Stone is plated with 18 K gold for longer durability and a classy aesthetic.
Secondly, it depends on how thick the plating is.
Gold plating can range from 0.17 to 5 microns.
0.17 microns is a very thin layer (approximately 0.05 percent gold) that should only be used on jewelry that isn't subjected to a lot of wear and tear, such as pendants and earrings. This thin layer of plating wears off pretty quickly.
Plating at around the range of 2.5 microns ensures the jewelry is heavily plated and lasts longer.
For this reason, Teal & Stone mostly uses 1 to 2.5 microns of 18 K gold.
The third and most essential factor is how you care for your gold-plated jewelry. It makes a lot of difference how often and where you wear it. You'll have to put in the effort to care for your best statement pieces if you want them to last. For more info on how to care for gold-plated jewelry, read our blog- How to take care of jewelry- 5 Pro-tips that work!
Final thoughts…
For those 'of the moment' trends, gold-plated jewelry is a fantastic choice. Your doubts about trends, money and finding the right fit can take a backseat.
So, choose and wear your favourite trendy pieces without compromising on quality with Teal & Stone. Check our collection for the most stylish and versatile jewelry that you simply cannot resist!