Gold Plated Silver Jewellery: What It Is and How to Care for It

Written by Darshan Jain, Founder of Arumayi

Gold plated silver gives you a gold look at a fraction of the cost of real gold jewellery, and it's a category we get a lot of questions about — mainly around how long the finish lasts and how it's different from solid gold.

What Gold Plated Silver Is

Our gold plated pieces are genuine 925 sterling silver at the core, with a thin layer of gold applied over the surface through an electroplating process. This gives the look and colour of gold jewellery while keeping the piece far more affordable than something made from solid gold. It's a popular finish on our earrings and pendants.

How Long the Plating Lasts

Gold plating is a surface layer, so it will naturally wear thinner over years of regular use, particularly at points of friction like the underside of a ring. How long it holds up well depends on how often the piece is worn and how it's cared for — daily wear will show wear sooner than occasional wear.

Caring for Gold Plated Pieces

Avoid harsh chemicals, perfume, and lotion coming into direct contact with plated jewellery where possible, since these can accelerate wear on the plating. Store pieces separately to avoid scratching, and wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth rather than an abrasive polishing cloth meant for solid silver. Our silver care guide has more general tips that apply here too.

Gold Plated vs Solid Gold

If you want the gold look without the cost or weight of real gold, and don't mind that the finish may need refreshing after a few years of heavy wear, gold plated silver is a practical choice. If permanence matters more to you than upfront cost, that's where solid gold has the advantage, though it comes at a significantly higher price point.

FAQs

Is gold plated jewellery still real silver underneath?
Yes, the base metal is genuine 925 sterling silver, with a thin gold layer applied over the surface.

How long does gold plating typically last?
It varies with how often the piece is worn; daily wear will show wear on the plating sooner than occasional wear.

Can gold plated jewellery be re-plated?
Ask our team about a specific piece — re-plating may be possible depending on the design.

Where can I see the gold plated collection?
Browse our gold plated collection online or visit our Sikar store.