Gold plating is a thin layer of real gold deposited onto a brass, copper or alloy piece by electroplating. The thickness of that layer, measured in microns, is the main factor in how long the colour lasts.
As a rough guide, flash plating is typically well under half a micron and suits low-price fashion pieces. Pieces that rub against skin or surfaces every day, such as rings and bangles, need more, typically 1 micron and up, with heavy gold plate often in the 1 to 2.5 micron range.
How gold plating is done
- Cleaning: the piece is polished and degreased so the plating bonds.
- Underlayer: copper, nickel or a nickel-free barrier is plated first to give a smooth, even base and stop the base metal moving into the gold.
- Gold layer: the piece is plated in a gold bath for a set time and current, which controls thickness.
- Protection: many makers add a clear lacquer or anti-tarnish coat on top.
Matching thickness to the product
- Earrings, pendants and maang tikkas: little rubbing, so a thinner layer can last if protected.
- Necklaces: moderate wear at the clasp and back of the neck.
- Rings, bangles and bracelets: heavy rubbing, so they need the thickest plating in your range.
- Bridal and occasion sets worn a few times a year: medium plating with a good lacquer is often enough.
What else affects how long it lasts
- The base metal and how smoothly it was polished.
- The underlayer, which also matters for nickel limits in Europe.
- The gold colour and alloy used in the bath.
- A protective lacquer or anti-tarnish coating.
- How the customer wears and stores the piece.
Specifying it
Put the plating type, colour and minimum thickness in your purchase order, and check a sample from bulk. The next article explains what a micron is and how to verify it. Our purchase order checklist shows where it fits.
What this means for a buyer
Choose plating thickness by product and price point, and write it down. Creston & Co works for buyers only, for a fixed fee agreed in writing, checks plating at the Rajkot workshop and can arrange thickness testing on samples from your bulk order. Start with a free sourcing review.