Do Gold Plated Necklaces Tarnish?
Purchasing gold-plated necklaces is an affordable way of wearing gold. However, you might be worried about whether this gold will fade with time. So, do gold plated necklaces tarnish?
A thin coating of gold is added to a base metal, which can be:
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Brass
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Stainless steel
Gold-coated necklaces provide the luxurious look of gold at a lower cost. The underlying base metal may react due to various reasons. Resultantly, the gold either fades or causes discoloration.
Causes of Tarnishing Gold Plated Necklaces
Gold-plated necklaces can be tarnished due to:
Water and Moisture
Sweat and other water contact can damage the gold coating. It is best to remove your jewelry before:
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Working out
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Bathing
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Swimming
Chemicals
The chemicals in household cleansers, moisturizers, and perfumes can tarnish the gold plating. Before you wear your jewelry:
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Apply moisturizer and perfume.
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Ensure the applied products are wholly absorbed into your skin.
Improper Storage
Improperly storing your jewelry pieces is also a reason behind gold tarnishing. For instance:
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Storing uncleaned jewelry pieces
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Friction between different jewelry items
Store your jewelry pieces separately in clean and dry containers. Doing so avoids scratches and moisture buildup.
Prevent Tarnishing of Gold-Plated Necklaces
To keep your gold-plated necklaces looking beautiful and lasting a long time:
Appropriate Storage
Keep each piece separately in a sectioned jewelry box. It prevents scratches and tarnishing of gold
Clean Regularly
Use a soft fabric to clean your jewelry after taking it off. You can also make a mild soap solution to rinse it.
Avoid Excessive Wear
Wearing your favorite gold-plated items every day may seem appealing. However, doing so might hasten the fading of the gold. To give each piece of jewelry a rest, wear each piece of jewelry one by one at different events instead of wearing a single one.
The Bottom Line
So, do gold plated necklaces tarnish? Yes!
Over time, some chemicals and environmental factors can cause gold-plated necklaces to tarnish. However, you can greatly increase their gold shine and keep them looking as beautiful as the day you purchased them!
