Does Gold Plated Jewelry Tarnish?
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Modern gold plating is durable and offers the beauty of solid gold at a fraction of the cost. In fact, most folks find it nearly impossible to tell the two apart if the plating receives proper care. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions about men’s gold plated chains and other jewelry pieces. People often believe that plated pieces aren’t of good quality and worry that they will look fake. Or they think the plating will wear off quickly, resulting in a dull, tarnished appearance. In reality, gold plated jewelry is just as stylish and beautiful as “real gold” because it is real gold. And when you purchase gold plated chains and other pieces from a reputable company and give them the proper TLC, they will look great for years to come.
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Does gold plated jewelry tarnish? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Keep in mind that even solid gold can tarnish because it isn’t pure gold. Instead, it’s mixed with other alloys — like copper — that are prone to tarnish. But with ample care, you can keep your plated pieces looking new. Read on to learn more about how to properly wear, clean and store your gold plated jewelry to prevent tarnish and other types of damage.
Don’t Put Your Gold Plated Jewelry on Until You’re Finished Getting Ready
Your jewelry should be the last thing you put on when getting dressed, especially if you need to apply makeup, lotion, sunscreen, etc. or use hairspray. If you do use these products, be sure to give them a few moments to soak in before putting on your jewelry. Most cosmetics and personal care products contain chemicals that react with gold plating, potentially causing tarnish or other damage.
Never Spray Perfume on Your Jewelry
Like makeup and lotions, perfume and cologne can damage your gold plated jewelry. It can even stain solid gold and other metals. Play it safe and don’t spray these products on any of your jewelry.
Clean It Regularly
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Keeping your jewelry clean is the best way to prevent damage and ensure that it glistens like solid gold. Be sure not to use the wrong cleaning products, though, as they could ruin your favorite accessories. We recommend skipping jewelry cleaning solutions altogether and cleaning your jewelry with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. When finished, rinse with plain warm water and let dry naturally.
Buff Your Jewelry to Remove Oils and Retain Shine
Use a soft microfiber cloth to buff your jewelry after cleaning and drying it. This restores shine while eliminating oils that could cause the plating to flake off. We recommend having a microfiber cloth you use only on your gold plated jewelry. If you use it on other things, you might pick up debris or chemicals that could damage the plating or leave marks.
Take It Off Before Exercise
Sweat causes a chemical reaction that leads to tarnishing and blemishes. You might not notice it right away, but if you wear gold plated jewelry regularly while working out, it won’t stay shiny and lustrous for very long. Avoid wearing your jewelry while swimming, too. This type of exercise might not make you sweat, but the chlorine in swimming pools isn’t safe for gold plated chains and pieces.
Store It Safely
Whether you have women’s gold chains or other accessories, storing them properly maximizes longevity. Don’t just toss them in your jewelry box. Instead, put each piece in a pouch or wrap them individually in soft cloths. Make sure your jewelry pieces can’t come in contact with each other when you aren’t wearing them. Store in a cool, dark, dry place to prevent damage from moisture, humidity, etc. Check on your collection regularly, and clean/buff pieces as needed.
Conclusion
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View Our Selection of Men’s Gold Plated Chains
With proper care, your gold plated jewelry will look new for several years. And when you purchase necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets from Frost NYC, you’re investing in high-quality pieces that are designed to last. Our gold plated jewelry makes it easy for anyone to ball on a budget!