In general, saying that a piece of jewelry is flash plated means it is covered in a fine layer of gold of between 0.1 and 0.3 microns. However, a piece of gold plated jewelry adds a layer of gold that is normally between 3 and 5 microns but can be more than 10 microns. But what is a micron? A micron is a unit of measurement that equates to one millionth of one meter.
Since the coating is thicker, gold plating is more robust than flash gold plating. But the price will also increase as you include a higher quantity of gold. Another difference between gold plated and flash gold plated is the technique used to apply the plating. Both cases involve coating a metal base with gold. They are similar processes, but not exactly the same.
What does gold plated mean?
Gold plating a piece of jewelry means coating the base material with one or several layers of gold. The plating will measure a minimum of one micron and can be done using either chemical products or electromagnetism. To obtain increased durability before applying the layers of gold to the base metal that forms the piece of jewelry (silver, copper, bronze, etc.), another metal is added, such as rhodium or bronze.
A piece of gold plated jewelry will be cheaper than an 18 ct gold piece, but more expensive than one that has been flash gold plated. The main advantage of gold plated jewelry is its value for money. You will be able to wear jewelry that looks like 18 ct gold, spending half of the amount of money. Moreover, you won’t need to worry about them turning black or green as happens with jewelry that only has a light flash gold plating.
What does flash gold plated mean?
The flash plating technique consists of immersing the piece of brass, copper, nickel, silver or stainless steel several times in gold liquid until the piece of jewelry is fully coated in gold.
Firstly, the piece made in the base material is cleaned using steam, electricity or ultrasound to guarantee the gold will adhere to it. Subsequently, also to improve the adhesion and to strengthen the flash gold plating, a thin intermediate layer of metal is applied, usually nickel. Finally, the piece just has to be immersed in the gold and a positive electric charge is applied to attract and adhere the gold ions to the base metal used. Italian chemist, Luigi Brugnatelli, invented this technique in 1805.
The major advantage of flash gold plating is that you will be able to wear jewelry without having to spend a fortune. However, the major drawback is that the flash gold plating won’t last forever, no matter how much you take care of it. A simple scratch or scuff could remove the flash plating immediately.
How long does gold plating and flash gold plating last?
Flash gold plating doesn’t last as long in optimum conditions. It also requires you to pay more attention if you don’t want to lose the golden color quickly. Flash gold plating won’t last for years like gold plating which, with some care, can last forever.
The thicker the plating or flash plating, the longer it will last. You also have to bear in mind the base metal used because some oxidize more than others and, therefore, the jewelry will lose its gold color more quickly. If the flash plating disappears completely and the piece of jewelry is made with a base material like nickel, it could cause skin allergies. So, don’t put your health at risk and opt for a piece of silver jewelry which has been gold plated, you won’t regret it.
Preventing gold plating from looking ugly
You are bound to have heard people say a million times that gold plating and flash gold plating turn ugly straight away. This is a half-truth because, if you follow some simple tips, you will be able to prolong the life of your flash gold plated jewelry and make your gold plated jewelry shine like new all the time.
Firstly, you should prevent detergents, perfumes, aftershaves, creams and any other chemical substances from coming into contact with the jewelry. For example, if you spill bleach on a flash gold plated ring, the flash plating will disappear in seconds. With gold plating, the effect is not so immediate, but if you subject the piece of jewelry to an aggressive and corrosive agent every day, in the end the layers of gold will fade.
It is also recommended that you don’t bathe or shower wearing the jewelry. Yes, gold plating can get wet. But, wearing it is not advisable if you are going for a swim in the sea or a pool containing chlorine if you don’t want to ruin your jewelry. Equally, you should remove jewelry before doing exercise as sweat can corrode the gold plating, and even more so with flash plating.
Difference between gold plated and flash gold plated: Which to choose?
If you are still asking yourself: which is best- gold plated or flash gold plated? The answer is simple: the best option is gold plated. For that reason, all of the jewelry we sell at Tous which isn’t made of 18 ct gold, nylon or leather is made in Stirling silver. In other words, with at least 92.5% silver and with a high quality gold plating of between 3 and 5 microns. The gold we use for our gold plated jewelry is 18 ct because it is the prettiest, the most robust and hardwearing. This type of plating is also called silver or gold vermeil.
If you take a look at our Gregal, Bold Bear, Aelita, Alma Motif, Logo or Bent collections, among others, you will find a wide range of bracelets, earrings, rings and anklets that are perfect for both special occasions and for everyday wear. But if you want to buy someone a special gift, the Horoscope and Mama collections won’t disappoint. You will also love our silver jewelry plated in rose gold which is perfect for those who love golden tones. This is our aim: to create jewelry to suit all budgets, for all moments and for all tastes and styles. You are bound to find a piece of jewelry at Tous that has been designed specifically for you or for that special person you have in mind.