Gold Plated Sterling Silver Tarnish

If the gold plating is very thin it will discolor and start to look like tarnish quickly.

Gold plated sterling silver tarnish.

After a few weeks of wearing your gold plated jewelry item the gold plate is likely to start chipping wearing or flaking off. The reason that gold plated jewelry tarnishes is because the molecules of the base metals eventually transfer into the thin layer of gold causing the gold layer to break down. The problem is often not with the plating itself but with the base metal which is prone to corroding and oxidizing. Most commonly this type of tarnish occurs in sterling silver copper and brass.

As such it is important that you know how to tell if something is real silver. The reason for the tarnishing is because the molecules of the base metal transfer to the gold and thus causing the layer to break down. Tarnishing thus does not mean that the silver is low purity. Gold itself does not tarnish but when it is plated it does tarnish over time.

The base metal in that situation is usually a copper or silver which are much more affordable than any gold alloys. Undiluted dish detergent will leave dark spots on the silver 2. These metals are reactive meaning that when they are in contact with the nonmetal substance the reaction occurs. Unlike sterling silver the tarnish on silver plated jewelry is most of the time irreversible.

A note on vermeil. Let it soak for 15 minutes. 2 the plating can be scratched or chipped. It is the primary material used for silver jewelry.

Place the gold plated jewelry in the soapy water. Well gold plated jewelry is not made of gold actually. Submerge your item in the soap water and gently rub it with your fingertips to release the tarnish. Unfortunately because of the metals added sterling silver even real 925 sterling silver will always tarnish.

However gold plated jewelry is made by using electricity or chemicals to deposit a very thin layer of gold over that other base metal. The metal at the bottom will eventually show after a while and it too will begin to discolor. Over time the molecules of the base metal eventually move into the gold layer affecting its appearance. Moreover this type of jewelry has little resale value unless they are rare or collectible items.

In a large bowl fully dilute a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water. Because the silver plating is so thin you need a very gentle cleaning method. Plate is only a thin skin about 20. Take the jewelry out of the soapy water.

Sterling silver and silver plate are both sterling silver on the outside so both will tarnish. Notice that we didn t mention gold in that list.