How to Care for Gold-Plated Jewellery

Gold plating is a thin layer of real gold bonded to a base metal. Treated well, a good plating lasts for years. Treated carelessly, it can start to wear through in a matter of weeks. The difference is almost entirely down to habit.

Last on, first off

Put your jewellery on after moisturiser, perfume and hairspray have dried, and take it off before you wash, swim or exercise. Cosmetics and chlorine are far harder on plating than ordinary wear ever will be.

Wipe it down

After wearing, give the piece a quick wipe with a soft dry cloth to lift off skin oils and sweat. This one habit does more for the lifespan of plated jewellery than anything else. Avoid polishing cloths made for silver, because the mild abrasive in them will strip gold plating.

Store it properly

Keep pieces separated in a pouch or a lined box so chains cannot rub against harder items. A small silica sachet in the box keeps humidity down and slows tarnishing of the base metal underneath.

Cleaning when it is needed

Use lukewarm water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid and a very soft brush around settings, then rinse and dry the piece immediately and completely. Never use ultrasonic cleaners, bleach or alcohol on plated jewellery.

If a piece does begin to show the base metal at the high points, replating is often possible and usually costs far less than replacing it.