Nothing beats gold jewellery, but that does not mean you can afford it all the time. Buying gold jewellery without burning a hole in the pocket is not possible.
The fashion trends keep changing, so there is no point in stocking a lot of expensive pieces in pure gold. Thus, it is better to invest in gold-plated jewellery.
So, here is all you need to know about this type of jewellery and how to take care of it.
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Gold-plated jewellery works as the best substitute for pure gold jewellery. Mind you, gold-plated jewellery is very different from gold-polished jewellery. It includes a thick plate of gold that covers the silver ornament while the polished pieces are just gold painted on the silver jewellery. The plating can be three to five microns thick, while polishing is barely 0.1 microns thick. Gold-plated jewellery is not cheap like the polished ones, as the polish wears off easily while the plated jewellery can survive for a very long time.
The thicker the plating, the longer it will last. There is a direct proportion between thickness and longevity. The thick plating will not let the silver come in contact with air or water. One more point should be considered before buying the jewellery; check whether the surface of the thick plating is rough or polished. The rough plating is done by beating the metal on silver after the general process of plating, which creates a better bond between the two metals, thus, making it more durable.
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Yes, gold-plated jewellery is affordable, but not cheap. So, before you invest your money in it, do check the pieces for any cuts, sharp edges or any wire coming out because if the silver is not properly plated by gold, it will catch rust. Also, see if the design looks compatible to the process of plating. If it is too edgy, it will be better to get it in gold or silver only. Simple designs work best for the process of plating.
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Gold-plated jewellery demands a lot of care than the gold ones. Do not worry, though, the 'don'ts' are not very difficult to understand. Here, we have a list of how you can make sure that jewellery stand the test of time.
If you are planning to put on perfume, hair spray or some makeup, do it before wearing the jewellery. Let the chemicals settle in and then put on the jewellery. If the chemicals come in direct contact with the jewellery, they can erode it.
It is an old trick to apply moisturiser or any other greasy substance if the jewellery is a little tight. This can work with the pure metal, but not with the plated ones. Wear your lotion before wearing the jewellery and let the skin absorb it. If the moisturiser gets stuck between the jewellery and skin, it will destroy the shine of the metal.
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Plated jewellery should be protected from too much of heat and direct sun exposure. So, obviously this limits the places where you can wear it. No beaches, pool or barbeques. Keep it inside and safe.
Once you are done wearing your jewellery, clean it with a soft satin cloth or a cotton ball (keep in mind that the fibres of cotton do not get stuck in the jewellery) before storing. Keep the pieces in different zip lock pouches or airtight containers.
You may want to restore the original shine of gold. For this, take some warm water and add a few drops of mild detergent or liquid soap and soak the pieces in it. Take it out and use a soft brush to scrub away the dirt. Make sure that you dry the jewellery completely before storing it back.
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Gold plated jewellery is the best option for those who want to stay in the trend without spending a big chunk of money. This kind of jewellery is to be handled with care, but it is totally worth it.