Short answer: put gold-plated jewelry on last and take it off first: after perfume and lotion, before water, sport and sleep. Wipe it with a soft, dry microfibre cloth after wearing, store each piece separately in a dry place, and never use silver dip, polishing paste or toothpaste, because they strip the thin gold layer.
Why does gold-plated jewelry need gentle care?
Gold-plated jewelry is a base metal covered with a very thin layer of gold. At Loretana the base is hallmarked 925 sterling silver and the finish is 14K or 18K gold plating. The gold is real, but it is a thin surface finish, not a solid layer you can polish back. Everything you do with the piece either protects that surface or rubs it away.
That is why caring for gold-plated jewelry is mostly about avoiding damage rather than cleaning. The silver underneath lasts a lifetime; how long the gold colour stays bright depends largely on how the piece is worn. For the full background, read Gold-plated silver: is it real gold?
When should you take gold-plated jewelry off?
- Before water. Washing hands, showering, bathing and swimming. Chlorine and salt water dull plating fastest.
- Before cosmetics. Apply perfume, lotion, sunscreen and hair products first, let them dry, then put your jewelry on.
- Before sport. The gym, running and the sauna. Sweat is mildly acidic.
- Before sleeping. Bedding and pillows rub the same spots all night.
- Before cleaning the house. Household chemicals and dishwashing liquid attack plating directly.
A simple rule covers all five: last on, first off. Your jewelry is the final step when you get dressed and the first thing you remove when you get home.
How do you clean gold-plated jewelry?
Gently, and with as little as possible. After each wear, wipe the piece with a soft, dry microfibre cloth to remove skin oil and fingerprints. That is usually all a gold-plated piece needs.
Do not use silver dip, polishing paste, polishing cloths with an abrasive coating, baking soda or toothpaste. They are made to remove a layer from the metal, and on a plated piece the layer they remove is the gold. Ultrasonic cleaners are also too harsh for plating and for small set stones. If a piece looks dull and a dry cloth does not help, write to us before trying anything stronger.
How should you store gold-plated jewelry?
- Keep it dry. Do not store jewelry in the bathroom. Moisture is what darkens silver.
- Keep pieces apart. Gold plating scratches when pieces rub together. Use a separate pouch or a lined compartment for each one.
- Use the box. The Loretana gift box that every piece arrives in is designed for storage, not only for presentation.
Our jewelry care guide covers the same rules for silver and rhodium-plated pieces.
Why do gold-plated rings and bracelets wear faster?
Rhodium and 14K/18K gold plating are surface finishes, and like every finish they wear with use. Pendants and earrings keep their finish much longer than rings and bracelets, which rub against skin and surfaces all day. Thinning shows first at high-friction points: the underside of a ring band, the back of a clasp. Underneath the plating is hallmarked 925 sterling silver.
This is normal wear rather than a defect, so it is not covered by our 24-month warranty, which covers manufacturing defects. When the gold thins on a ring after long wear, the piece is not ruined: the silver underneath is still real 925 silver, and a jeweller can re-plate it. If you are unsure whether what you see is wear or a fault, email us a photo and we will tell you.
Which gold-plated pieces keep their finish longest?
If you want gold colour for everyday wear, choose pieces that face little friction:
- Engraved Coin Necklace, 14K gold-plated 925 silver, €79.99: a pendant that hangs free and is engraved in Lithuania within 48 hours.
- Green CZ Heart Necklace, 14K gold-plated 925 silver, €54.99: green stands for wealth in our meaning system.
- Minimalist Hoops, 14K gold-plated 925 silver, €42.99: earrings rarely touch hard surfaces.
More options are in our necklaces and earrings collections. If you prefer a cool white finish, our article on what rhodium plating does to silver explains the alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use toothpaste to clean gold-plated jewelry?
No. Toothpaste is abrasive: it is designed to scrub, and on gold-plated jewelry it scrubs away the thin gold layer. Use a soft, dry microfibre cloth instead.
Can I shower with gold-plated jewelry on?
It is better not to. Soap, shampoo and hot water dull the plating over time, and chlorinated or salt water dulls it faster. Take the piece off and put it back on when your skin is dry.
Does gold-plated jewelry tarnish?
The gold layer itself does not darken the way silver does. Where the plating has thinned and the silver underneath shows, that silver can darken in humid conditions, which is why dry storage matters.
Is plating wear covered by the warranty?
No. Our 24-month warranty covers manufacturing defects. Plating that thins with wear, especially on rings and bracelets, is normal wear, not a defect.
Loretana MB is registered with the Lithuanian Assay Office and has a registered responsibility mark. Every piece carries the 925 hallmark and our responsibility mark, and orders ship from Lithuania.
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