Gold Plated Sterling Silver Tarnish

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.

Gold plated sterling silver tarnish.

A note on vermeil. 2 the plating can be scratched or chipped. In a large bowl fully dilute a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water. If the gold plating is very thin it will discolor and start to look like tarnish quickly.

Take the jewelry out of the soapy water. Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub in the tight places on the jewelry. Moreover this type of jewelry has little resale value unless they are rare or collectible items. The problem is often not with the plating itself but with the base metal which is prone to corroding and oxidizing.

Undiluted dish detergent will leave dark spots on the silver 2. Sterling silver and silver plate are both sterling silver on the outside so both will tarnish. Unfortunately because of the metals added sterling silver even real 925 sterling silver will always tarnish. Tarnishing thus does not mean that the silver is low purity.

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. As such it is important that you know how to tell if something is real silver. The base metal in that situation is usually a copper or silver which are much more affordable than any gold alloys. The metal at the bottom will eventually show after a while and it too will begin to discolor.

Gold itself does not tarnish but when it is plated it does tarnish over time. Well gold plated jewelry is not made of gold actually. Let it soak for 15 minutes. After a few weeks of wearing your gold plated jewelry item the gold plate is likely to start chipping wearing or flaking off.

These metals are reactive meaning that when they are in contact with the nonmetal substance the reaction occurs. However gold plated jewelry is made by using electricity or chemicals to deposit a very thin layer of gold over that other base metal. Over time the molecules of the base metal eventually move into the gold layer affecting its appearance. Because the silver plating is so thin you need a very gentle cleaning method.

The difference is real sterling is sterling all the way through. Plate is only a thin skin about 20. The resulting product is 925 sterling silver which contains 92 5 pure silver and 7 5 copper. Notice that we didn t mention gold in that list.

Most commonly this type of tarnish occurs in sterling silver copper and brass. Submerge your item in the soap water and gently rub it with your fingertips to release the tarnish.