Does Gold Plated Jewelry Turn Green?

Gold-plated jewelry is one of the top trends currently. This type of jewelry barely has any gold in it; it just has a gold plating above the surface to give it a similar yellow color and appearance.

However, when we talk about gold-plated jewelry, the durability rate is low, which also means it is not scratch-resistant, and can easily be affected in small incidents.

Currently, many customers want to know – does gold plated jewelry turn green? If yes, then how can you prevent it or recover it?

If you are interested in knowing the answers to these questions, then all you have to do is continue reading this article. 

Does Gold Plated Jewelry Turn Green?

Yes, there are high chances of gold-plated jewelry turning green, and although you can prevent and clean it, it is still important to start the process before it turns completely green. 

Oxidation

The process of your gold-plated jewelry turning green is called oxidation, where, when the base metals interact with moisture, skin oils, chemicals, or air, they get covered with copper carbonate, which has a greenish shade, and the jewelry appears green. 

Factors Influencing Discolouration 

Base Metals

Since gold-plated jewelry includes base metals like nickel, brass, and copper, these metals can easily react with moisture or sweat, and cause discoloration.

Plating Quality 

The quality of the plating matters because if the layer is very thin, then even before it can bear any damage – it can wear off on its own very easily. 

For the same reason, your gold-plated jewelry requires a thick plating, like 2.5 microns or so, also called ‘heavy gold plated’, which will comparatively last longer in terms of longevity.

Skin Chemistry 

If you are someone with acidic sweat, which could be created from regular medication, an unhealthy diet, or an unbalanced pH level, then your skin will play a bigger part in the discoloration of gold-plated jewelry. 

Moisture & Usage

If you wear gold-plated jewelry in water like during a shower or swimming in a pool, it can easily accelerate the discolouration process.

Similarly, if you wear it regularly, and apply perfumes, lotions, or hand sanitizers on the jewelry, then the chemical reaction can easily lead to faster discoloration. 

Preventions & Solutions

Preventive Measures

• You must avoid wearing your gold-plated jewelry while swimming, hitting a gym, and applying products. 
• It is recommended to choose gold-plated jewelry which has Sterling silver or stainless steel as base metals.
• We recommend you opt for a thick gold plating over Sterling Silver, as this combination is probably the safest. 
• Make sure to keep your gold-plated jewelry in a dry place and an air-tight container to avoid oxidation. 

Solutions For When The Oxidation Has Begun

• Cleaning: If your gold-plated jewelry has just started to turn green, then you can get rid of mild discoloration, by cleaning it at home, where you only need to wipe the jewelry gently with a soft and dry cloth, while you can also use a diluted mild soap and warm water to clean it thoroughly. 
• Re-plating: If your gold-plated jewelry has turned green almost completely, or if the majority of the parts are colored green, then you must understand that it is at its limit, and to recover it, you need to opt for re-plating services by a professional. 

Final Words 

At the end of the day, your gold-plated jewelry will turn green at some point, because it only has a thin layer of gold over the surface – but you can always slow down the process by following the points mentioned above.

That is all for this article, and we hope you have the perfect answer to your question – Does gold plated jewelry turn green?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to stop gold-plated jewelry from turning green?

• To stop gold-plated jewelry from turning green, you must store it in a dry and airtight container, avoid using it regularly, and clean it frequently. 

2. How long does gold-plated jewelry last?

• If you properly take care of your gold-plated jewelry, then it can last a bunch of years, and there is no exact number because the number of years depends on how you take care of it.