A Buyer's Guide to Plated Jewellery

Whether you’re obsessed with shiny ornaments or have never worn a necklace in your life, chances are that you’ve heard about gold-plated jewellery one way or another. From pawnshops to established jewellers, gold-plated jewellery can be found almost anywhere you look, making it a widely available option. While you may be familiar with the term “gold-plated jewellery”, here’s something to ponder: what does it really mean when a piece is gold-plated?

Most people are unaware of the fact that the price difference between a gold piece and a gold-plated piece can be immense. After all, plated jewellery contains significantly less gold. In order to better understand what plated jewellery is, let’s dive deeper into the topic:

A Buyer’s Guide to Plated Jewellery

Simply put, plating is a type of manufacturing process wherein a piece of jewellery made of a certain alloy or metal is covered with a much thinner layer of another metal. The plating process can be illustrated with this example: in order to create a gold-plated ring, a piece that’s made out of copper or silver is covered with a thin layer of gold on top and subsequently fused together. White gold is an example of plated gold, produced when yellow gold and palladium alloy is plated with rhodium to create a white finish.

What are the disadvantages of plated jewellery?

Plated jewellery comes with its fair share of disadvantages. This isn’t surprising, seeing as it is a cheaper option that isn’t as high-quality as its higher-tier counterparts. One of the most significant disadvantages of plated jewellery is that the plating will inevitably wear away. You will need to have it replated after an extended period of use. However, the lifespan of plating can be extended by having a thicker layer of gold put on. Another con of plated jewellery is that the replating process itself can be expensive, especially for gold and rhodium-plated pieces with many moving parts.

Why should you buy plated jewellery?

The main reason people buy plated pieces is that they look exactly like their high-grade counterparts, only differing in terms of their material composition. As alternatives to solid gold jewellery, gold-plated pieces are highly sought after by connoisseurs looking to have stunning pieces of jewellery without having to pay a hefty price.

When should you buy plated jewellery?

The best time to buy plated jewellery can depend on a whole host of factors, but for the most part, it’s best to buy a plated piece if you aren’t going to be wearing it too often. Additionally, you should also buy plated jewellery if you have a mild copper or gold allergy because the plating acts as a safety barrier that prevents contact between the allergen and your skin. That said, make sure that you touch up the plating every once in a while to avoid suffering from allergy attacks, rashes, or itching when you wear your favourite piece.

Conclusion

Plated jewellery is often looked down upon because they are seen as a cheap replacement for their higher-grade counterparts. However, plated jewellery can be a fantastic investment that won’t cost you too much. Consider plated pieces if you don’t wear jewellery too often and aren’t concerned about the material composition of the piece.

Zidouri has a wide range of plated jewellery pieces available for sale. Shop today and find a piece that suits your style!