Ist abgeriebene Vergoldung ein Mangel?

Das hängt von Zeitpunkt und Stelle ab. Blankes Metall an einem Verschluss nach zwei Jahren täglichem Tragen ist Abnutzung. Löst sich die Schicht nach wenigen Wochen großflächig oder an Stellen ohne Reibung, spricht das für einen Fehler, und dann greift die gesetzliche Gewährleistung von 2 Jahren.

Wer zahlt den Rückversand bei einer Reklamation?

Bei einem berechtigten Mangel trägt der Verkäufer die Kosten der Nacherfüllung, also auch den Versand. Das unterscheidet die Reklamation von der normalen Rückgabe innerhalb von 14 Tagen, bei der du die Rücksendung selbst bezahlst. Schick vorher Fotos, dann lässt sich das meist ohne Paket klären.

Wie lange hält eine Vergoldung von 2,5 Mikrometern?

Bei Ketten und Ohrringen, die kaum reiben, oft mehrere Jahre. Ringe und Armbänder verlieren an den Kontaktstellen schneller, weil sie ständig an Tischkanten, Taschen und anderen Ringen scheuern. Parfum, Cremes und Desinfektionsmittel beschleunigen den Abrieb zusätzlich.

Gold plating fading: Complaints, warranty, and what is normal

25.09.20264 Min. Lesezeit

Vergoldete Edelstahlkette von Corelune in Nahaufnahme

Kurz gesagt: When worn-off gold plating is considered normal wear and tear versus a defect, what rights you have in the first 2 years, and how the claims process works at Corelune.

Gold plating wears off: complaints, warranty, and what is normal—that is what this is about. In short: Gold plating is a layer and rubs off at contact points over time; this is wear and tear. If it comes off early, over a large area, or without recognizable friction, it is a defect, and the 2-year statutory warranty applies to this in Germany. At Corelune, an email with your order number and two photos is enough to start with.

As of: September 2026. By Phil Oberlaender, Corelune Jewellery, Düsseldorf.

I am writing this article because complaints regarding fashion jewelry often proceed unnecessarily in a complicated way. One side hopes for a gesture of goodwill, while the other refers generally to "normal wear and tear." Yet, it is quite easy to distinguish between the two.

What can actually happen to gold-plated stainless steel

Corelune pieces are made of stainless steel (RVS 304 or RVS 316). The gold-colored models have a 14-karat gold layer, 2.5 micrometers thick. For comparison: many affordable pieces made of brass have 0.1 to 0.5 micrometers. A hair is about 70 micrometers thick, almost 30 times as much as the gold layer, so it is thin in any case. The stainless steel underneath does not tarnish and does not turn the skin green. If the layer becomes thinner in one spot, silver-gray steel appears, not dark, oxidized metal. The piece remains waterproof and tarnish-resistant nonetheless. How fast this happens depends on friction: a 45 cm chain rests calmly on the collarbone, while a ring weighing about 5 g rubs against table edges every day.

Finding	Typical time	Classification
Light spot on the clasp or inside of a ring	after 12 to 24 months of daily wear	Wear and tear
Scratch from an impact, e.g., on a door frame	anytime	Sign of use
Layer peels off over a large area	in the first few weeks	likely a defect
Discoloration without friction, e.g., on the front of a pendant	in the first few months	likely a defect
Dark or green discoloration	not to be expected with stainless steel	please report

Warranty, guarantee, returns: three different things

The statutory warranty is legal and is valid for 2 years from delivery. In the first year, it is presumed that a defect existed at the time of purchase; the retailer must then prove otherwise. After that, the burden of proof lies with you. A guarantee would be a voluntary promise beyond that, which Corelune does not provide, and with fashion jewelry, you should be suspicious of any promise that a layer lasts forever. A return within 14 days has nothing to do with defects; it also applies if you simply do not like a piece. I am not a lawyer; this is the situation as it applies to consumer purchases in Germany.

How a complaint works at Corelune

Write an email with your order number, a photo of the whole piece, and a close-up of the area. Daylight helps, the flash usually does not. In most cases, it can be determined from the photo whether it is abrasion or a flaw. If it is a defect, you will receive a replacement, and you will not pay the postage.

By the way, prevention is easier than filing a complaint. Perfume and cream first, jewelry after—see why the order matters. How long gold plating lasts depending on its thickness is compared in How long does gold plating last?. And for pieces that rub heavily every day, such as rings at a desk, the silver-colored stainless steel without a gold tone is the more durable choice.

Frequently asked questions

Is worn-off gold plating a defect?

That depends on the time and the area. Bare metal on a clasp after two years of daily wear is wear and tear. If the layer comes off over a large area after a few weeks or in areas without friction, this indicates a flaw, and then the 2-year statutory warranty applies.

Who pays for the return shipping in the event of a complaint?

In the case of a justified defect, the seller bears the costs of supplementary performance, which includes shipping. This distinguishes a complaint from a normal return within 14 days, for which you pay for the return shipment yourself. Send photos first, then this can usually be clarified without a package.

How long does 2.5-micrometer gold plating last?

For chains and earrings that barely rub, often several years. Rings and bracelets lose it faster at contact points because they constantly rub against table edges, bags, and other rings. Perfume, creams, and disinfectants accelerate the abrasion even further.