How long does gold plating last on silver?

Gold accessories are considered the most popular jewelry in recent times. But the cost of this precious metal is growing every year, and therefore not every person can afford to buy an expensive product. If jewelry is worn only on holidays, then there is no point in spending a lot of money on it. There is an alternative to expensive accessories that also look prestigious and stylish.

Gold-plated silver jewelry is a popular type of jewelry that costs much less than gold jewelry. But keep in mind that such jewelry is short-lived and wears out over time, so you won’t be able to wear it all the time. Many buyers are interested in the question: how long does the gilding effect on accessories last? In this article we will tell you how long gilding on silver lasts and how you can clean the product yourself.

Gold-plated elements are used on decorative items, furniture, works of art, building facades, and tableware. They are used to make paintings, art objects, and figurines. Spraying is also used for the manufacture of religious paraphernalia, tableware, mechanical engineering, and dentistry.

International standards for gilding silver set the shade 4N. Dinner sets look very harmonious and are suitable for any interior. The devices themselves are convenient and light, due to the fact that they are based on silver.

How to identify gold-plated silver

Visually, gilded silver does not differ from gold, and therefore it is difficult for an ordinary buyer in a store to distinguish between real gold and gilding. The original accessory is indicated by the presence of a stamp. By looking at the sample, you can immediately discern what metal the jewelry is made of. Even if an additional coating is used on a silver accessory, the silver standard will always be on it, because this is the main metal. Often the standard on silver jewelry is 875 or 925. On gold jewelry you can see a stamp with the following numbers: 585, 375, 750.

Please note that jewelry purchased abroad has different markings. Most often you can see the following samples:

KGP;
HGE;
Golgmult.

It will not be possible to examine the sample with the naked eye; this will require a magnifying glass. You should not buy jewelry from dubious workshops; scammers often solder a stamp with a counterfeit mark and the average person cannot notice it. You need to purchase jewelry only in stores with a good reputation and where there are the necessary certificates indicating quality products.

One of the disadvantages of such jewelry is the high risk of encountering a fake. Therefore, you need to purchase products only from trusted places.

How to care?

We have already mentioned several times in the article that such products need to be properly cared for. This is a very important aspect of the product’s operation; it determines how long the decoration will retain its original appearance.

First of all, you need to determine the reasons that may contribute to the darkening or abrasion of the gold layer:

the effect of aggressive substances - these can be hygiene products, cosmetics;
improper care;
constant friction against each other or any other surface;
frequent contact with water.

Experts recommend that before taking water treatments or going to bed, be sure to remove your jewelry.

It is also advisable to store them in a separate special box to reduce the possibility of friction.

Proper care and wearing of gold-plated jewelry will preserve its color and shine. But if the decoration nevertheless darkens, and over time this cannot be avoided, do not despair. There are several effective methods that will help you clean items from blackness at home quickly and effectively.

Why does the gold plating wear off?

Do not think that gilding is erased by contact with water. No, even if left in water for a long time, the decoration will not lose its appearance and the spray will adhere perfectly. But you still need to wash your hands without rings, so that the gilding does not wear off due to friction and hygiene products.

Gilding on silver will sooner or later be erased from mechanical damage and prolonged wear; it is very resistant to scratches, so you need to store accessories in special boxes. The metal binds to the treated surface during gilding at the molecular level - this explains that abrasion is possible only from mechanical movements.

When in contact with substances containing sweat, the precious metal causes oxidation. Therefore, during sports and hormonal changes in the body, it is not recommended to wear jewelry. When cleaning the house, washing, or using cosmetics, you need to remove accessories to prevent contact with aggressive substances.

Sometimes in jewelry stores you can see goods from which the gilding has worn off and dark spots have appeared. The material darkens from frequent fitting of jewelry, contact with skin and friction against clothing.

Do not think that the darkening of the jewelry is caused by its contamination. The coating begins to wear off when exposed to oxygen, and therefore this jewelry is not suitable for wearing every day.

Unfavorable factors that shorten the service life of gold-plated accessories include:

chemistry;
sweat and other secretions from the human body;
high humidity;
friction;
Sun rays;
lack of care.

Purchasing Tips

You can purchase high-quality gold-plated jewelry in jewelry stores, but you need to know some selection rules so as not to be mistaken in the value of the product.

Silver products must have a stamp confirming the hallmark . If it is not there, then it is not a precious metal, but a jewelry alloy coated with gold. Such products are often purchased because they are cheaper, but they quickly deform.

Different types of silver can be used to make jewelry, but experts recommend choosing 925 silver. Products made from it are of much higher quality, so they will last a long time. The percentage of gold plating should be more than 40%.

What determines the quality and service life of gold coating?

In Russia, when covering silver with gold, a metal of high standard is used - at least 750. But most often this value reaches 999. There are also gold-plated products of 585 standard, equal to 14 carats, but they are extremely rare in jewelry workshops and stores. In foreign countries, metals with a value of 12 carats and below are plated for gilding.

In order for gilding to last as long as possible, the silver standard must be at least 925. The percentage of applied gold must be at least 42%, the fineness must be 99%, and the thickness of the metal must be more than 2.5 microns. If these rules are followed, the gold coating will last for several years. The thicker the coating layer, the longer the decoration does not lose its appearance.

The service life and how long jewelry is worn depends on the rules of use and storage of the jewelry. When purchased from a specialized jewelry store with the necessary quality certificates, the product will retain its presentable appearance for more than two years. The coating lasts the longest on pendants, earrings and products that are least subject to friction and contact with the skin.

It is not allowed to store accessories near heating devices or in places exposed to direct sunlight.

Customers often ask the question in stores: is gilded silver washable or not? The answer is yes. And even if proper care is taken, the coating will be erased after 2-3 years.

What is gold plating and why is it applied?

Gilding is a coating of high-grade gold that is applied to the surface of a selected item at home or by a professional jeweler in a workshop. The item being processed can be made of any metal, but in most cases silver is used for this.

Gilding is done:

to give a golden hue and emphasize the individuality of the product;
updating the appearance of items;
durability of a metal item.

How the process works

Before gilding silver items at home, it is important to ensure your own safety, for which this is perfect:

rubber shoes;
gloves;
glasses for eye protection;
apron.

Regardless of the method used, restoring silver at home always consists of the following steps:

metal surface preparation;
spraying or other coating;
final processing.

Gilding metal is not enough. I recommend creating a protective layer on gold-plated silver. Nitrocellulose varnish is suitable for this.

Which products hold gold plating longer?

Gold plating adheres best to jewelry with a thick layer of sputtering. Not only the durability of the accessory, but also its cost depends on this. The top layer of spraying ranges from 2 to 15 microns. But it is difficult to determine this parameter on the finished product; you need to study the product certificates before purchasing. Therefore, it is better to choose jewelry that will rarely come into contact with human skin - for example, earrings.

Gold plating wears off most quickly from rings, bracelets and chains, and lasts the longest on pendants, brooches and earrings. To preserve the gilding, the jewelry is coated with a protective layer and is wear-resistant.

Application of zinc contact

To obtain a thicker gold-plated layer, a zinc contact is used. Using this method, you can, for example, coat silver with a layer of gold. For gilding, a composition is prepared from the following components:

gold chloride – 15 grams;
carbonic potassium salt – 65 grams;
yellow blood salt – 65 grams;
table salt – 65 grams;
water – 2 l.

It will take some time to dissolve all components of the composition

Products made of copper and brass are plated with gold in a solution of the following composition:

gold chloride – 2 grams;
caustic potassium – 6 grams;
potassium cyanide – 32 grams;
sodium phosphorus salt – 10 grams;
water – 2 l.

Objects on the surface of which it is necessary to apply a layer of gilding are thoroughly cleaned of dirt and grease, then they are placed in a preheated gilding composition. The products already there are connected to a zinc rod, which acts as a contact.

Compositions of degreasing solutions

In order for the gilding applied to the surface of products made of steel, zinc and tin to be of high quality and have good adhesion, they must be subjected to a copper plating procedure before gilding.

Is it possible to restore gilding on silver?

If your earrings, bracelet or ring are frayed and some areas of the gilding have peeled off, they can be restored to their beautiful appearance. To do this, you need to reapply the gold plating and contact a workshop. You need to contact an experienced specialist to ensure that the product lasts at least a year. Keep in mind that not every jeweler has professional equipment for gilding. Sometimes the cost of plating jewelry with gold is higher than the price of finished silver jewelry.

Before applying gilding to the jewelry again, you need to calculate whether it will be profitable and get acquainted with the prices in several workshops.

Advantages and disadvantages

Each potential consumer, before purchasing a particular product, must evaluate all its advantages and disadvantages . Gilding may raise doubts among many, so let’s talk in detail together about the pros and cons of such products.

Their advantages include the following factors:

almost impossible to distinguish from gold ones;
gilding, with proper care and use, lasts quite a long time;
affordability - the cost of gold-plated products is much lower than those made of precious metal;
excellent appearance;
does not cause allergic reactions;
lightness - thanks to the composition, the jewelry is not heavy at all, it is easy and comfortable to wear;
have excellent properties;
can be reconstructed - if the coating peels off, it can be re-coated with a layer of gold, choosing any color;
The product can be engraved.

No matter how many advantages there are, there are also disadvantages. And speaking of disadvantages, it is worth noting the following.

Gold-plated jewelry must be worn correctly and its condition must be constantly monitored. The thing is that over time they wear off and the golden layer peels off.
The products have a distinctive shine, which is not typical for jewelry made of precious metal. This parameter helps to distinguish gilding from real gold.
Such jewelry or, for example, dishes require special care.
Since gilding is in trend today, and such products are often bought, there were also those who decided to make money from this in a not very honest way. There are quite a lot of fakes on the modern market that are difficult for a person who does not understand precious metals to distinguish from the original.

As you can see, there are quite a lot of pros and cons. And after getting acquainted with them, each consumer decides for himself whether to buy gold-plated products.

Considering the relevance of the topic of fakes, we would like to give some useful tips on how to distinguish “fake” from gilding . So, a fake is characterized by:

uneven color;
presence of contact with a magnet;
presence of defects in the product.

There are also several ways to identify a fake at home.

Use a special set of reagents.
If you drop a drop of alcohol on a gold-plated item and it darkens, then you are dealing with a fake.
Mechanical damage – the gold plating layer may be slightly scratched. If small particles appear at the damage site, this is gilding.

If you already have gold-plated silver jewelry, you can use one of the above methods to ensure its authenticity.

Benefits of gilding

The main positive side of such jewelry is considered to be its relatively low price. The type of jewelry made from 925 sterling silver with gold plating, made in accordance with the standards, is no different from 585 gold. Only a jeweler can determine that the product is not made entirely of expensive metal. Other advantages of the described jewelry are:

Simple maintenance and easy restoration of the original appearance in case of damage to the gilding.
Compatibility with semi-precious and precious stones.
Low susceptibility to corrosion processes due to the high standard of metals used.

Not only chains, pendants, bracelets, earrings, rings are gold-plated, but also figurines and cutlery. Such interior items are attractive, which is why they often act as a central decoration. But in order to preserve the beauty of the products and the gilding does not come off from the silver, you need to provide them with proper care and timely cleaning. To do this, it is permissible to use both purchased products and traditional methods.

Minuses

Constant control in the sock . Jewelry made of gilded silver must be protected from constant contact with the body and water. This means that you cannot wear them while sleeping, playing sports, going to the pool, swimming in the sea, or spending a long time in the sun. Sweat, salt and bleach act as reagents that destroy the applied layer. After the first contact with them, the thing will become unusable.
Super shine . The high-grade gold used has a distinctive luster that cannot be found in real gold items. Because of this, it shows that the product is fake.
Corrosion . The green or black marks that silver leaves on the body during oxidation are difficult to avoid, even if it is gold-plated. Unfortunately, this layer is too thin to avoid the problem, and the palm side of the fingers will start to show streaks after a few days of wear.
Gilded utensils require constant labor-intensive care after each use. It cannot be washed in the dishwasher or used with chemicals or soaps. And each time prepare a special solution that needs to be used to treat objects.
It's easy to buy a fake . It is easy for the average person to confuse high-grade gilding from low-grade gilding, which determines the price. That is why, after purchasing, before the first contact, you need to contact a jeweler who will clarify the quality of the product.

Advantages of gold-plated silver products

Accessories made of gilded silver look attractive and at first glance you cannot tell that it is not real gold. To add more shine, the jewelry is polished with an agate stone. The best way to apply gold plating is electroplating. The surface becomes homogeneous and an additional protective layer appears. In the galvanic bath, the current density and maximum temperature value are determined automatically.

The advantages of gold-plated accessories include the following features:

beautiful appearance;
perfect combination with stones;
absence of allergic reactions;
amenable to reconstruction;
reasonable price compared to jewelry made from gold alloys;
can be used for engraving;
You can re-spray an unlimited number of times;
corrosion resistance;
the products look neat, they are light and easy to wear.

Although accessories are inert and not subject to corrosion, for example, products with sample 585 contain many impurities. Due to the fact that pure metal contains little anti-corrosion properties of the finished product are reduced.

Many brand stores sell gold-plated jewelry. One of the popular ones is the Sokolov company. In store catalogs you can find products for any budget for adults and children, there are even products with large cubic zirconia. Products from the sokolov factory can also be seen in other modern stores.

Preparation and use of gold chloride

To gold-plate metal, a solution called gold chloride is often used. To prepare such a solution, gold is dissolved in “aqua regia,” which is a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids. Hydrochloric and nitric acids are taken in a ratio of 3: 1. Gold is placed in this composition, and then the liquid is evaporated. The procedure for evaporating liquid from such a solution should be carried out very carefully so as not to cause burns to the skin and respiratory tract. The dry substance remaining after evaporation is precisely gold chloride.

When evaporating, you need to separate the open fire from the container with the solution, for example, by making a layer of asbestos chips poured into a separate container

Before using gold chloride for gilding, it must be mixed with a solution of potassium cyanide and washed chalk, resulting in a paste-like mass. Using a brush, this paste is used to cover the product, after which it is left for some time, and then thoroughly washed and polished.

To gild steel, gold chloride is mixed with ether. The product coated with this composition is left for some time until the ether has completely evaporated, and then the treated surface is simply rubbed with a cloth to impart a golden shine.

Using gold chloride, previously mixed with ether, various inscriptions and patterns can be applied to a metal object. In order to carry out this procedure, a quill pen is dipped into the resulting solution and the required inscriptions and patterns are made, which, after evaporation of the ether and polishing, will sparkle with a golden sheen.

Large surfaces are covered with gold using a soft brush

As mentioned above, gold plating is often applied to silver, for which gold chloride can also be used. To perform chemical gilding of products made from this metal, it is necessary to prepare a mixture that includes the following components:

gold chloride – 10 grams;
potassium cyanide – 30 grams;
table salt – 20 grams;
soda – 20 grams;
water – 1.5 l.

Chemical gilding, which must be applied to silver, can also be performed using a mixture of:

gold chloride – 7 grams;
potassium ferric sulfide – 30 grams;
potassium carbonate – 30 grams;
table salt – 30 grams;
water – 1 l.

The procedure for sputtering a layer of gold onto a metal surface using chemical solutions is performed in the following sequence.

The product being processed is pre-calcined.
The surface of the object is etched first with a solution of sulfuric acid and then with nitric acid.
The pickled product is momentarily dipped into a mixture consisting of sulfuric, nitric and hydrochloric acids.
After treatment in a mixture of acids, the product is rinsed with water, then immersed in mercury and finally in water, where it is kept for 30 seconds.
After a container of water, the product is placed in a solution for gilding, kept for the required time, then washed with water and dried in sawdust.

How to extend the life of gilded silver

In order for gold-plated products to retain their original appearance for as long as possible, you must follow these tips and properly care for them:

before going to the bathhouse, sauna or gym, remove jewelry from your body;
avoid intense friction;
Do not store accessories in cardboard boxes that emit sulfur;
do not allow contact with household chemicals;
Remove rings while cleaning and wear gloves.

These tips will help ensure that your jewelry lasts for a long time. Do not forget about the correct storage system for gold-plated jewelry. To do this, you need to get a small box, which will be lined with soft fabric. If there are few accessories, they can be stored in small velvet bags.

In order to extend the life of a solid silver plated item, you will need the following ingredients:

Vinegar. The essence is used for severe contamination. You cannot use a 100% product; 9% vinegar is suitable for cleaning. For a liter of water, 30 ml of table vinegar is enough. Place the jewelry in the resulting mixture and leave for 25 minutes. After this, the accessory must be washed in running water.
Ethanol. This method is great for regularly wiping away dust, sweat and dirt. You need to use cotton pads or a soft, lint-free cloth moistened with the product.
Beer. This ingredient is used to restore shine to a product. First you need to prepare 1 glass of the drink and keep the accessory in it for no more than 20 minutes. After this procedure, gold-plated items should be washed and wiped with a suede cloth.
Ammonia. This treatment option is suitable for gentle cleaning of products that have become covered with a green coating. You need to heat a liter of water, add 10 ml. dishwashing detergent and 5-6 drops of ammonia. The next step is to immerse the contaminated items in the solution for half an hour, rinse thoroughly under running water and wipe dry with suede.

Preparing a composition for gilding at home

You can prepare the solution for gilding yourself.

To do this, mix:

water (1500 ml);
gold chloride (10 g);
potassium cyanide (30 g);
salt (20 g);
soda (20 g).

To obtain a thinner layer of gold plating you will need:

water (2 l);
gold chloride (15 g);
yellow blood salt (65 g);
carbonic potassium salt (65 g);
table salt (65 g).

All components must be well dissolved, otherwise the gilding layer will be uneven, and even thorough polishing will not help. When the product is immersed in liquid, it is necessary to lower a zinc stick into the container (zinc contact method).

How to clean gold plated silver

In order to remove gold plating, it is best to contact a jewelry maker. Symptoms that indicate that the metal is oxidizing are a change in shade. Most often the product becomes green or dark gray. This often manifests itself on jewelry that contains red gold. In order to remove gilding from silver, you can use mechanical and electromechanical methods at home.

The chemical method involves the use of aqua regia. But during the work you need to be careful not to damage the silver layer of the product. Before cleaning, you need to coat all parts where silver is visible with a protective coating. Then the jewelry needs to be placed in a porcelain container, pour vodka into it and heat it up a little. Gradually the gilding will begin to come off on its own. When gray spots begin to appear on the product, it must be removed from the container. After this, the accessory is washed with water, ammonia is applied to it, and the remaining gilding is removed with a brush.

Electrochemical technology requires the creation of an electrolyte - a 7% solution of potassium cyanide in distilled water. A copper plate is also required for cleaning. The product must be treated in an electrolyte bath and then rinsed thoroughly. If there are silver residues left, they can be cleaned with a brush.

Never try to rub gold plated with powder, salt, mustard or other improvised ingredients. In this case, there is a high risk that you will erase the entire coating. It is better to contact a jeweler who can clean and polish the product.

Gold-plated jewelry has reasonable prices and a large assortment. With proper care, such products retain their original appearance and shine for a long time. Reviews about such accessories are only positive: buyers are attracted by the low cost and beautiful appearance.

History of the use of silver in various fields

In Rus', too, the healing and neutralizing power of silver objects was noticed quite a long time ago. So, in churches, holy water was poured and stored in silver vessels specially cast for this purpose. And the phenomenon associated with a silver spoon in a glass of water has been known to everyone since the days of studying at school from a life safety course.

It is thanks to its unique properties that silver began to appear in a huge number of objects surrounding humans. Ancient and modern scientists, inventors and jewelry makers try to cleanse the world around a person who owns one or another silver item. Gradually, silver could be found in almost all cutlery, dishes, mirrors, and, of course, jewelry. Elements of silver were added to fabrics, which made it possible to decorate even clothes and shoes.

Today, silver can be found in a variety of medical devices; it is used in the food industry (for example, silver is part of some food additives with indicator E), in the laboratory industry (for the manufacture of various vessels for melting alkalis or other metals). In electrical engineering, it is also impossible to do without silver, which is part of copper conductors and various waveguides. Among other things, in some chemical reactions it is impossible to do without silver molecules. This metal (more precisely, silver nitrate) is also used to create photographs.

What do you need to know about foreign gilding?

Imported gold-plated products have slightly different markings. The most common sample designations are:

KGP – gold plating from 12 to 24 carats.
HGE is an electroplated finish measured in carats.
Goldmult is a German coating that indicates not only the markings, but also the thickness of the gold layer.

This knowledge will help you decide on the choice of imported gold-plated silver.

Recoating

If you still decide not to part with your jewelry and leave it with gold plating, you can turn to specialists for help. Using a special device, a new coating is applied in a matter of minutes. How much does it cost to apply the coating? The cost of gilding is considerable; gilding one ring will cost about 350 rubles, and chains - from 2000 rubles. The price depends on the grade of gold used and the thickness of the applied coating.

As you can see, high quality gold-plated silver should cost significantly more. Re-gilding has other advantages. You can apply gold in a different shade, such as white, red or pink. When electroplated, the gold layer has high adhesion to the surface being treated. After repeated restoration, the product will look completely new.

To restore the coating, you need to choose only a professional master. The work must be done very efficiently, with knowledge of all the nuances and technological details.

Gilded silver looks beautiful and, when handled with care, pleases the eye for a long time. It is not intended for everyday wear, so if your favorite item no longer looks neat, it is better to remove or restore such coating.

Choosing the right gold plated jewelry

So, what do you need to know about choosing gold plated products? The material that is sprayed is of primary importance in this matter. It is important that it is 925 silver. This fact speaks volumes about the value of the product. Sometimes spraying can be applied to aluminum, copper, and tin. Such works are valued even cheaper than silver ones.

How can you determine what kind of jewelry you have in front of you: made of gilded silver or another metal? First, examine the product from all sides, find the brand and markings. To do this, familiarize yourself with silver hallmarks and hallmark standards in advance. In the Russian Federation, the following standards are established for silver: 999, 960, 925, 875, 830, 800. Most often, 925 silver is used for gilding. Since Soviet times, a mark in the form of a barrel has been used on silver jewelry.

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Advantages of gilding and methods of applying it

Reviews of gilded silver prove that it retains its original appearance for a long time. International, European and Russian state standards have established 4N color for gold plating. It is worth listing the main advantages of gold plating:

Absolutely safe for health.
It has an attractive appearance, similar to gold.
It is little exposed to external aggressive influences: it does not oxidize, does not corrode.
It has a democratic value, much cheaper than gold.

Gilding has been practiced since ancient times. Back then, church domes, cutlery, jewelry and dishes were decorated with precious metal. It was at that time that hot and cold gilding was invented. The cold method involves stamping or gluing thin layers of gold leaf onto silver.

Service life of gilding

Practice shows that when wearing a product every day, the gold layer wears off by about 1-2 microns per year.

The service life of the entire layer will depend on its thickness and regular maintenance. Typically, gold-plated silver jewelry lasts from 3 to 10 years.

Which products hold gold plating longer?

Gold-plated earrings, pendants, and pendants will last longer because they do not come into contact with water, hygiene products, or are not subject to regular physical impact.

With constant use, the precious layer will most quickly begin to peel off on rings and dishes.

It is recommended to purchase jewelry that has less contact with the skin than others.