Let’s Talk Gold-(Plated) 😋

Wayyy too obsessed with gold jewelry but it’s wayyy out of your budget? Then, gold-plated is your way to go! 

Made of cheaper metals like brass and copper, and electroplated with a thin layer of gold, gold-plated jewelry is now increasingly used to accessorize outfits and create one’s own unique style statement. Gold-plated jewelry is appealing because it’s attractive, accessible and super affordable. The cherry on top? You can splurge on several pieces at a time with just a moderate budget - and it rarely goes out of style! While we admit that gold-plated jewelry requires a bit of care and maintenance, protect it well and it will see you through several seasons of vogue. 

So, how should you protect and care for your gold-plated jewelry to keep it in top-notch form? Eveeta Shakya, Founder and Managing Director of Green Tara Designs, a jewelry company that designs contemporary and quintessential jewelry handcrafted by local crafters, shares her insights and expertise with us. An art fanatic who loves to explore her creativity and experiment with designs, Eveeta says she drew inspiration for her brand Tara (tara_nepal on Instagram) from her grandmother's graceful character as well as from her course in traditional art and painting. Her jewelry line is a depiction of elegance, beauty and class. Below are Eveeta’s favorite tips and tricks when it comes to making gold-plated jewelry pass the test of time: 

Icing on the cake When getting ready, your jewelry should always come last. If gold-plated jewelry comes in contact with any perfumes or deodorants, or creams or lotions, a reaction will be triggered between the two substances that will cause your jewelry to tarnish easily. When gold tarnishes, it turns into a  bronze-copper shade of brown and loses its shine. So let your jewelry be the finishing touches to your outfit, like the icing on the cake. 

Sweat and water - no thankyou Alongside perfumes and creams, gold-plated jewelry does not react well to most chemical compounds including sweat and water. Some gold-plated jewelry is advertised as waterproof and workout friendly: whilst sweat and water will not completely ruin jewelry, they will cause it to lose its shine and may also cause the gold to tarnish. So, play it safe: avoid wearing your favourite pieces out in the rain, at the gym; during your tennis class; or even when you’re doing your household chores. 

Box it or pouch it - whatever you do protect it Gold-plating can be scratched and worn out pretty easily, and air exposure oxidizes jewelry making it look old and worn. Thus, gold-plated jewelry must be stored properly in pouches or boxes. It's a good idea to store gold-plated jewelry separate from other types of jewelry such as metal or silver. And, while storing each piece separately is not necessary, doing so will prevent jewelry from scratching against each other. Intent on going that extra mile for the environment? Store your jewelry in a box layered with cotton or upcycle an old t-shirt to use as lining for the box for extra protection.

A lil’ wiping and cleaning never hurt nobody! Take care of your jewelry on a daily basis, especially after wear. Wiping it will ensure that there are no residues of dust, sweat or other unwanted particles residing on it. Use a cotton ball or a microfiber cloth to remove smudges and dust off of your jewelry after wear. For sustainability purposes, we personally recommend cloth over cotton balls! 

It is essential, at the very least, to clean your jewelry at least once every few weeks to make it sparkle brighter and for longer. While it’s never a bad idea to do a little extra cleaning everyday (especially so if you live in Kathmandu), we realize that the chances of you cleaning and polishing your jewelry which is  gold - but not really - does not make it to the top of your to-do list. Also note that gold-plated jewelry does not react well to most chemicals, but some detergent powders like Surf are an exception to this rule. Soak your jewelry in a bucket of water with a dash of detergent before wiping it dry. Remember, while laundry detergents are relatively mild, other soap or liquids containing chlorine acid are stronger in nature and will damage your pieces. Alternatively, you can also use toothpaste to clean your jewelry: “Specifically, Colgate is better recommended among the toothpastes”, says Eveeta.

So, when it comes to your jewelry, don’t be lazy to go that extra mile and all your gold-(plated) investments will be worthwhile.

Wanna talk more gold or gold-plated? Head over to Tav the Community. Let’s get this conversation going!