Jewelry

[SilleeMee]

I use a soft brush and Dawn on my plated pieces. The Dawn Powerwash Spray works really good, too.

[gertrudecloset]

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@Julie_23 wrote:

I know it's not ideal for jewelery to be plated, however if you were trying to best preserve earrings that were 18K white-gold plated over 925 sterling silver... what would you recommend in terms of caring for them?

Earrings are studs, martini setting.  Everyday wear.

One thing I didn't realize is that silver cloths are not recommended.  So, I use a gold polishing cloth then?  

Do you get them re-plated regularly?  Don't shower in them?

Any tips/suggestions on general care much appreciated.  Thank you!

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Not much information is given nowadays about gold plated jewelry.  How you take care of it can depend on how it was made.  Gold over is just gold over silver and they don't tell you how many microns of gold are put over the silver.

Vermeil is different.  Vermeil jewelry which is gold over silver just like other gold over, however it has a thicker coat or more microns of gold over the sterling that wear more like real gold for a longer period of time.  I own vermeil from back in the day and it has not turned yet.  Some jewelry pieces are just dipped in gold and that's it.  The gold will fade quicker and you will get to the Sterling faster.  Vermeil is the best type of Gold over Silver you can buy.  The problem is it's hard to find true vermeil.  Just the term Gold over Silver is used because nine times out of ten it's not vermeil.

To be on the safe side treat it lightly with care.  Use mild, mild soap to clean and nothing harsh and don't do it too often.  They just don't make jewelry like they used to with the integrity of the precious metals.  Vermeil jewelry is considered Fine jewelry, which some other types of gold over are not.

[Etoile308]

I don't know if it's the correct or recommend method but I just use mild foaming hand soap in my hands and gently swish it in my hands. Then rinse and blot gently in a towel.

[songbird]

Plating usually doesn't last long.  They last anywhere from a year to 5 years. They might last longer if you're careful with your jewelry.  You shouldn't shower with it on.  Simply avoid getting it wet.  They have very little monetary value.  Just essentially the value of silver. That's why I love Ultrafine silver.  It won't turn and it's not plated.  But I can only get it through QVC.  I have a little Sterling silver ring that I never take off.  It's never tarnishes because I wear it each day and it rubs against my skin.  I also keep it on when I wash.  

[frenchie]

I'm just noticing some diamonique earrings are gold plated. Is clad any better? I have a couple pair studs that are 14 kt. I was looking at larger stones but not sure I want plated.