What Is Gold-plated? Is It Real or Fake? Some Facts Revealed
Published: 23 Jan 2025
Hey everyone!
Yesterday, I discussed what gold-filled is in detail from A to Z, and today, we will dive into something that looks the same as Gold-filled but, in reality, is a different material.
Just briefly, gold-plated is a type of gold made by coating a thin layer of gold with a base metal, usually brass, copper, and sometimes stainless steel.
Here is an in-depth overview of what gold plated is, how it is made, what are its advantages and disadvantages, how to keep it in top-notch condition, and most importantly, whether it’s real or fake gold.
What Is Gold Plated Meaning?
Gold-plated is simply a metal coated with a thin layer of gold with a base metal, usually brass, and copper.
This coating is applied through a process called electroplating, which bonds the gold to a base metal that I mentioned above like brass, copper, or stainless steel.
The gold layer in gold-plated items is very thin, typically between 0.5 to 1.0 microns thick. This layer ensures the material looks the same as pure gold but at a very cheap price.
Here are some types of gold-plated material.
Are There Any Types of Gold Plated?
Guys, before giving you an answer, first I’ll ask a question from you. The question is,
- What are you talking about? Direct types of gold-plated material or based on the purity level of the gold layer?
If you are talking about direct types of gold-plated material, however, some people say there are two main types of gold-plated and they are
- Gold-filled
- And gold-vermeil
Guys, I’ll be clear and transparent with you: Gold-filled and gold vermeil are two related but different materials; they are not types of gold-plated. Here is why.
- Gold-filled: Gold-filled is a composite material that looks similar to gold-plated but has a 100 times thicker gold layer.
- Gold-vermeil: gold vermeil uses sterling silver as the base metal, while gold-plated only uses copper, brass, or sometimes stainless steel as the base metal. The size of the gold layer also varies. Gold vermeil usually uses 2-3 times thicker layers of gold.
Now it comes about types of gold-plated based on the purity level of the gold layer. There are 5 main types of gold-plated according to the purity level of gold and they are.
- 10k gold plated: uses the gold layer that is made of 41.7% pure gold and 58.3% other metals
- 14k gold plated: the gold layer consists of 58.3% solid gold and 41.7% other metals
- 18k gold plated: the layer contains 75% pure gold and 25% other metals
- 22k gold plated: Made of 91.6% solid yellow gold and 8.4% other precious metals
- 24k gold plated: 24k gold plated has a 99.9% pure gold layer, and usually it’s rare because the pure gold layer wears off so quickly than others I shared above.
Is Gold-plated Real Gold or Fake?
Gold-plated items are considered real gold, but they are not made entirely of gold. The base material is typically a less expensive metal, and the gold is applied through a plating process.
While the gold used is real, it is not the same as solid gold, and the amount of gold is minimal compared to the base material. So, gold-plated items are not considered completely solid gold, but they do have a genuine gold finish.
Where Is Gold-plated Used?
Due to its affordability, beauty, and look like pure gold, gold-plated is used in a variety of products from jewelry to electronic components. Here I describe them briefly.
- Jewelry: Adds a shiny, gold-like finish to less expensive metals, making them more affordable and stylish.
- Watches: Used to give watches a premium appearance without the high cost of solid gold.
- Eyewear: Gold-plated frames provide a touch of elegance and luxury.
- Electronic Components: Improves conductivity and protects against corrosion, especially in connectors and circuit boards.
- Coins and Medals: Gold plating offers a golden look while keeping the base material cost-effective.
- Home Décor: Used in items like picture frames, mirrors, and furniture hardware to add a decorative touch.
- Awards and Trophies: Enhances the visual appeal of trophies, making them look prestigious.
Gold-plated Jewelry Maintenance.
Taking care of your gold-plated jewelry is vital to keep it shiny and beautiful for a long time. Here are some tips that will help you keep your jewelry in top-notch condition.
How to Clean Gold-Plated Jewelry.
Guys, cleaning the gold-plated jewelry is easier. Here are our 4 steps that will help you clean your gold-plated jewelry. So let’s dive in.
- First of all, Take a soft, lint-free cloth or microfiber cloth. Gently wipe your jewelry to remove dust and surface dirt.
- In the second step: Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Avoid strong cleaners as they can damage the plating.
- In the third step: Dip the soft cloth into the soapy water and carefully clean the jewelry. Focus on dirty areas, but don’t scrub too hard to avoid removing the gold layer.
- In the fourth and last step: Rinse the jewelry with clean water to remove soap residue. Pat it dry with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid air-drying to prevent water spots.
How to Keep Your Gold-Plated Jewelry Safe from Future Damages
- Store your jewelry in a soft cloth pouch or a lined jewelry box.
- Keep it away from perfumes, lotions, and other chemicals.
- Remove your jewelry before swimming, exercising, or doing household chores.
- Avoid wearing gold-plated pieces while sleeping to prevent friction and scratches.
- Clean regularly with a soft cloth to maintain its shine.
What are the advantages of gold-plated items?
When we talk about the benefits of gold-plated, it offers many benefits and some of them are,
- Gold plating is cost-effective and offers the look of pure gold but at a lower price.
- It enhances the durability of items by protecting the base metal from corrosion and wear.
- Adds an elegant and shiny finish, making items look more luxurious.
- Less heavier than solid gold, making items more comfortable for daily use.
What are the disadvantages of gold-plated?
As nothing is perfect in this world. The disadvantages of gold-plated material include,
- The gold layer can wear off over time, especially with frequent use, so the base metal will appear again, and you will need to re-plate it with gold.
- The color can fade, losing its shine with exposure to chemicals or moisture.
- Not as valuable as solid gold, gold-plated has less resale value.
- If the gold layer in a gold-plated item contains nickel, it can cause allergic reactions to the sensitive skin.
Interesting Facts About Gold-plated.
- Gold plating has been used for over 3,000 years, dating back to ancient Egypt.
- The process of gold plating is so thin that it’s often measured in microns (1 micron = 1 millionth of a meter).
- A gold-plated item may have less than 1% gold content.
- Gold plating can be done through electroplating, where gold is deposited using an electric current.
- Some modern electronics rely on gold plating to improve conductivity and prevent corrosion.
- Ancient coins were often gold-plated to give them a higher value, even if they were made of cheaper metals. However, green gold was also used to make ancient coins, you can know here.
- Gold plating is used in the aerospace industry to coat parts that need to resist extreme conditions.
- The thickness of gold plating affects its durability, with thicker layers lasting longer.
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- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks
