What does plated mean?
In general, plating refers to the technique of covering a piece of jewellery composed of one metal or alloy with a coating of another metal. A steel or silver ring with a layer of gold on top, for example, would be described as gold plated jewellery.
Lifetime
The average lifespan of gold-plated or silver-plated pieces is two years. After that, the plated jewellery can tarnish and begin to wear down. Depending on how well you maintain your jewellery collection (visit our page on jewellery care for more info), this period can vary. If however, your jewellery does begin to tarnish, you can always take the jewellery to a jeweller to have it re-plated.
How to care for plated jewellery
Keep your gold-plated jewellery away from chemical products like detergent and personal care items like perfumes, hairsprays, lotions, and creams. Acidic food ingredients like tomatoes are also a no-no as they impact the gold plating which can cause it to flake or wear off more quickly.
Is Plated Jewellery Waterproof?
All of our jewellery has been tested in both fresh and salt water and should not cause any issues. We do, however, recommend removing jewellery before going in water to reduce the chance of tarnishing or damage.
What does Filled mean?
Unlike solid gold jewellery, gold-filled jewellery is composed of a solid layer of gold that is bonded to a base of another metal, such as sterling silver or stainless steel. While gold-filled jewellery is typically less expensive than solid gold jewellery, it is actually more durable, looking shiny and new even with decades of wear.
Lifetime
Gold or silver filled items are perfect if you're looking for a material that is higher quality than plated, but an affordable alternative to solid gold or silver. Unlike gold plated, gold filled can last a lifetime if taken care of properly, and isn't affected by water or hot weather. It is also tarnish-free under normal conditions.
