Gold Plated Sterling Silver Tarnish

The resulting product is 925 sterling silver which contains 92 5 pure silver and 7 5 copper.

Gold plated sterling silver tarnish. Notice that we didn t mention gold in that list. Plate is only a thin skin about 20. If the gold plating is very thin it will discolor and start to look like tarnish quickly. Undiluted dish detergent will leave dark spots on the silver 2.

2 the plating can be scratched or chipped. In a large bowl fully dilute a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water. Over time the molecules of the base metal eventually move into the gold layer affecting its appearance. Most commonly this type of tarnish occurs in sterling silver copper and brass.

Tarnishing thus does not mean that the silver is low purity. The problem is often not with the plating itself but with the base metal which is prone to corroding and oxidizing. These metals are reactive meaning that when they are in contact with the nonmetal substance the reaction occurs. 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.

After a few weeks of wearing your gold plated jewelry item the gold plate is likely to start chipping wearing or flaking off. A note on vermeil. The difference is real sterling is sterling all the way through. Sterling silver and silver plate are both sterling silver on the outside so both will tarnish.

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. Because the silver plating is so thin you need a very gentle cleaning method. However gold plated jewelry is made by using electricity or chemicals to deposit a very thin layer of gold over that other base metal. Well gold plated jewelry is not made of gold actually.

The base metal in that situation is usually a copper or silver which are much more affordable than any gold alloys. Take the jewelry out of the soapy water. Unlike sterling silver the tarnish on silver plated jewelry is most of the time irreversible. Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub in the tight places on the jewelry.

It is the primary material used for silver jewelry. Unfortunately because of the metals added sterling silver even real 925 sterling silver will always tarnish. Place the gold plated jewelry in the soapy water. As such it is important that you know how to tell if something is real silver.

The metal at the bottom will eventually show after a while and it too will begin to discolor. Submerge your item in the soap water and gently rub it with your fingertips to release the tarnish.