Over the past decade, gold plated jewelry has developed a negative reputation. You may have heard that the gold fades away after only a few days of wear, that it isn't waterproof, or that it causes allergies resulting in blue stains all over your body. However, let's examine this more closely.
There are two types of gold plating: gold plated, which is a general term for something with a gold coating on any kind of material, typically steel or silver, and gold vermeil, pronounced "gold ver-may," which is gold plating on sterling silver.
Steel, a material often used in gold plated jewelry, can cause allergic reactions, itching, swelling, and blue stains in some people. It is a versatile material but not suitable for everyone, and it is not well-regulated, often containing heavy metals that should not be in close contact with the body.
Many jewelry brands use gold-colored steel coated with a thin layer of gold to keep the jewelry golden. Sterling silver, on the other hand, is a premium, naturally hypoallergenic material that rarely causes allergic reactions. It may oxidize over time, but a polishing cloth can easily restore its shine.
About 80% of gold vermeil jewelry is plated with 1 micron or less, which means that some jewelry on the market is plated with only 0.3 microns of gold, resulting in a beautiful gold color that fades after a week of wear. A micron refers to the thickness of the gold layer.
Gold plating with 1 micron thickness is ideal for earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets, as they do not come into contact with hard surfaces as much as rings do. Sustainable jewelry with 1-micron plating can last for a very long time, even if worn every day. If you remove your sustainable jewelry daily, it can stay shiny and gold for a lifetime.
For our sustainable rings, we use 3 micron 18k gold plating, which is an average of 3 to 6 times more than most gold plated jewelry. Our team at Bound has been wearing our gold plated rings every day for years, and they still look fantastic. However, it's crucial to avoid oils as they can cause the plating to fade. Water, on the other hand, is completely safe.
At Bound, we strongly believe in the potential of gold plated jewelry. It's an affordable way to enjoy golden jewelry that lasts for a long time. We also offer all of our designs in 14k solid gold made to order.
Check out our sustainable jewelry collection and enjoy a special discount mentioned on the checkout page. Don't hesitate to wear your premium pieces every day as long as you care for them properly.
More stories
Our Sustainability Efforts
