All That Glitters: Understanding the Terms Used and Making the Right Choices Between Plating Qualities
Whether online or in stores, the many terms used to describe the quality of a piece of jewelry tend to cause confusion. How can you tell the difference between gold-plated jewelry, fine gold-plated jewelry, 3-micron gold-plated jewelry, gold, and fine plating? There are dozens of terms used to describe techniques that are often regulated. Here are some answers that will help clear up confusion and enable you to make informed choices. There are three main types of plating, corresponding to three qualities of jewelry. These are the most commonly used in jewelry making.
What Is Fine Gold-Plated Jewelry?
Also known as fine plating or flash plating, this quality is widely used for jewelry sold in costume jewelry stores and by many designers. It involves applying a layer of gold to a copper or brass piece of jewelry. This layer is generally between 0.3 and 1 micron thick; 1 micron is one-thousandth of a millimeter. The layer of gold covering the base metal is therefore extremely thin and consequently very fragile.
The biggest enemy of gold-plated jewelry is friction. Too much wear and tear can cause the fine plating to disappear partially or completely. You will end up with a blackened piece of jewelry and the infamous green finger, if you are talking about a fine gold-plated ring.
Admittedly, the terms sound appealing, but do not be fooled by appearances. Only the name is misleading, as this is actually the most fragile type of plating available. If inexpensive gold-plated jewelry floods stores, it is because its quality is poor.
In everyday use, jewelry dipped in a gold bath has very little resistance to contact with fresh water, pool water, or seawater. Avoid any contact with perfumes as well as household and cosmetic products.
Why choose fine gold-plated jewelry? It is an impulse buy, a temporary piece of jewelry that you should not get too attached to, an inexpensive purchase that you will soon replace—in short, a short-term investment.
What Is Gold-Plated Jewelry?
The term gold-plated jewelry is often used to describe any gold-plated piece, regardless of the quality of the plating. However, gold plating is a regulated plating quality that requires a minimum layer of 3 microns (up to 10 times thicker than fine gold plating). This is why you sometimes see the term 3-micron gold-plated jewelry in the composition of your favorite pieces. 24k, 18k, or 9k gold are used depending on the manufacturer and designer. Due to its complete purity, 24k gold is often quite bright yellow and fragile. This is why some Parisian brands and designers use 18k gold for their creations.
In addition to being very often misused, the term gold-plated is also poorly perceived. It is considered inferior to fine plating. This is probably due to the less flattering name, but also to a lack of information from jewelry brands and designers.
Caring for gold-plated jewelry is simple. It can withstand fresh water, although it is preferable to remove your jewelry when swimming in a pool or the sea to ensure it retains its shine or to avoid risking the loss of your gold-plated ear cuff.
Why choose gold-plated jewelry? To treat yourself to a quality piece of jewelry without sacrificing your budget. To keep it for life if you take care of it.
April Please 18k Gold-Plated Ear Jewelry
Gold Jewelry
It is shiny and does not tarnish over time. It can be mixed with other metals to vary its color and obtain rose gold, white gold, or yellow gold of varying intensity. Here too, the purity of the gold plays a role. 24k gold, which is pure gold, is bright yellow and has one significant weakness: it scratches easily. Like designers, jewelers use 18k gold more often because it is harder and therefore more resistant.
Gold jewelry does not require daily maintenance. However, it is recommended to have it cleaned from time to time so that, in particular, your jewelry set with precious stones such as diamonds regains its shine and retains its original beauty.
Why choose a piece of gold jewelry? Gold jewelry is generally kept for a long time: an engagement ring, a lifetime piece, a wedding band, jewelry for special occasions. It is about giving (or receiving) a special gift.
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