Gold plating jewelry: When silver gets a golden shine
You have a beautiful silver piece, but you want a gold look – or your gold plating is worn out and you want to refresh it. Having jewelry gold-plated is a goldsmith service that is less known than it should be. This guide explains everything.
What is gold plating jewelry?
Gold plating involves electrochemically applying a thin layer of gold to a base metal – this process is called electroplating. The base material (usually 925 silver) is dipped into a gold electrolyte bath, current flows, and gold is deposited atom by atom on the surface. The result: A firmly adhering gold layer of definable thickness.
When is gold plating useful?
- Refreshing worn gold plating: If the old gold layer is rubbed through, it can be reapplied.
- Transforming silver to gold: Wanting to wear a favorite silver piece with a gold look.
- Gold plating white gold: White gold turns yellow when the rhodium plating wears off – either re-rhodium plate or convert to yellow gold.
- Modernizing an heirloom: Re-experiencing an old silver heirloom with a gold look.
Gold Plating Standards and Thicknesses
- Flash Plating (under 0.5 microns): Minimal layer – only lasts weeks. To be avoided.
- Standard Gold Plating (0.5–1 micron): Lasts a few months with regular wear.
- Gold Vermeil (2.5+ microns): The standard for high-quality gold plating. Lasts 1–3 years.
- Thick Gold Plating (5+ microns): For pieces worn daily. Very durable.
Always ask your goldsmith for the micron thickness – this is the most important quality factor.
The Gold Plating Process at the Goldsmith
- Hand in jewelry + choose desired gold tone (yellow gold, rose gold, white gold/rhodium)
- Cleaning: The piece is thoroughly cleaned of grease, oxidation, and impurities.
- Preparation: If necessary, polish cracks or scratches before gold plating.
- Electroplating: Apply the gold layer in the electrolyte bath.
- Final Polishing: The gold-plated surface is polished.
Time: 1–5 business days depending on effort. Cost: 20–60 € for a standard piece.
Tips for Durable Gold Plating
- Always order 2.5+ microns – quality pays off.
- Have it gold-plated with yellow gold (585) for best adhesion to silver.
- After gold plating: Follow the same care rules as for gold-plated jewelry (no perfume directly, no soaking).
Quality Gold-Plated Jewelry at Corelune Jewellery
Gold Vermeil on 925 silver – at Corelune Jewellery, you get gold-plated jewelry that lasts.
