How Long Does Gold Plated Jewelry Last?

Gold jewelry is one of the flashiest, most desirable accessories when it comes to the hip hop accessories game. And, true ballers tend to invest in many different pieces, from necklaces and rings to bracelets and watches in order to expand their collection and elevate their sense of style.

If you’re shopping for a new piece, consider buying a gold plated chain or bracelet. This style of creating jewelry can lower the piece, as less gold is used during the process while maintaining the same dope look of a solid gold chain. Okay, so maybe it’s cheaper, but how long does gold plated jewelry last? Read on to find out the average life of gold plated jewelry and how to properly care for it to prolong its life.

How Long Does Gold Plated Jewelry Last?

Determining exactly how long a gold plated chain or another gold plated piece will last can be difficult because it is affected by a number of factors. If the plating is relatively thick, it may last longer than a piece with thin plating. Pieces that are worn on a daily basis will also tend to wear out more quickly because it is often coming in contact with the outside world and elements that can cause damage.

On average, gold plated jewelry can last about two years before the gold plating begins to tarnish and wear down. However, the length of time can be much shorter or longer depending on whether or not you decide to properly maintain your jewelry collection. When the gold plating does begin to fade, you can consider taking it to a jeweler to be re-plated rather than completely replacing it.

Why Choose Gold Plated Jewelry?

For any ballers on a budget, gold plated jewelry is the perfect way to keep some money in the bank while still rockin’ dope accessories that look exactly like their solid gold cousins. Although you will probably end up replacing gold plated pieces or getting them re-plated in the future, it’s still hella cheaper to buy the plated version.

If you’ve got the extra dough and you want to spring for the solid gold piece that you’ll never have to replace, be our guest. It’s all about how much you’re willing to spend and how committed you are to caring for and maintaining your jewelry. When it comes time to re-plate your favorite piece, you may be tempted to invest in a re-plating gold kit, but we highly recommend leaving that to a professional to get the best-looking results.

How to Care for Gold Plated Jewelry

Cleaning and maintaining gold jewelry is essential regardless of whether it’s solid or plated. However, plated gold jewelry needs even more attention because the layer of gold that adheres to the metal base is thinner than solid gold jewelry, which is made from gold alloy all the way through. Here are some tips on how to make your gold plated jewelry last as long as possible:

• Store your gold plated jewelry somewhere safe. When you’re not wearing your pieces, you want to keep them in a jewelry box or dresser designed to store jewelry, as this will prevent dust and dirt from building up and eating away at the gold.
• Avoid contact with makeup, perfume or cologne, sunscreen, moisturizers, soap, detergent, and any other type of chemical that you come into contact with on the daily. These chemicals can react with the gold plating and cause it to break down quicker.
• Do not wear your gold plated chains to the beach or pool. One more time for the people in the back: Do not wear gold plated jewelry to the beach pool. Really, you shouldn’t wear any type of jewelry to the beach or the pool because the saltwater and the chemicals in the freshwater will react with your chains and turn that beautiful shiny gold into a chipped-away, lackluster piece.
• Always clean your gold plated jewelry. To keep your pieces in top-notch shape, you should clean each one once a week using soap and warm water. Then, we recommend a deep cleaning once per month, during which you can let your jewelry sit in the solution for longer than usual and use a toothbrush to scrub hard-to-reach areas. Don’t forget to wipe your jewelry off with a soft cloth to prevent damage.

All Gold, All the Time

Now that we’ve answered your question, “How long does gold plated jewelry last?” it’s time to start shopping for your new dope piece. Gold plated bracelets and other jewelry can be a great investment for someone on a budget who still wants to look fly. Our pieces are carefully crafted to give you high-quality jewelry in a variety of fresh designs that will have all the homies wondering where you got the latest addition to your collection.