Gold Plated Jewellery: Will It Turn Your Skin Green? The Ella & Eve Guide

The Green Skin Truth: What Really Happens

That telltale green mark isn't actually from gold at all. Gold itself is a noble metal that doesn't oxidize or react with skin. The discoloration happens when metals in the base layer beneath the gold plating – typically copper or brass – react with acids in your sweat and skin oils.

This chemical reaction creates copper chloride, which has that distinctive green colour. It's completely harmless but certainly unwanted when you're wearing your favourite gold bracelet or anklet.

The good news? Not all gold plated jewellery is created equal. With proper construction and quality materials, this reaction can be effectively prevented – which is exactly what we prioritize at Ella & Eve.

Why Quality Makes All The Difference

When it comes to gold plated jewellery, several key factors determine whether your skin will stay pristine or turn green:

• Thickness of gold layer: Thicker gold plating creates a more effective barrier between your skin and the base metals. Budget jewellery often uses ultra-thin plating that wears through quickly.
• Base metal quality: What's underneath the gold matters enormously. Higher-quality base metals like sterling silver or nickel-free alloys are much less likely to cause discoloration than cheap brass or copper.
• Proper sealing: Quality manufacturers apply protective sealants to prevent the base metals from contacting your skin, even as natural wear occurs over time.
• Consistent plating: Even coverage without thin spots or pinholes prevents sweat from reaching reactive metals underneath.

When shopping for gold plated necklaces or earrings, these quality indicators make all the difference between pieces you'll treasure and those that disappoint.

The Ella & Eve Difference: Gold That Stays Golden

Our gold plated jewellery won't turn your skin green. This isn't just a claim – it's our commitment to quality craftsmanship and materials:

• Premium base metals: We use high-quality sterling silver as the foundation for our gold plated pieces, dramatically reducing the risk of skin reactions.
• Generous gold layer: Our plating process applies a substantial layer of 18K gold – thicker than industry standard – creating a beautiful, long-lasting finish.
• Protective coating: Each piece receives a transparent protective layer that shields both the gold and your skin.
• Rigorous testing: Our jewellery undergoes testing for metal migration and skin compatibility before ever reaching our collection.

This attention to detail means you can confidently wear our gold bracelets and other pieces without worrying about green marks or premature tarnishing.

Understanding Your Unique Skin Chemistry

Even with quality jewellery, individual factors can influence how your skin interacts with metals:

• pH balance: Some people naturally have more acidic skin, which can accelerate reactions with metals. This explains why one person might experience discoloration while another doesn't, even with identical pieces.
• Medications: Certain medications can alter your body chemistry and sweat composition, potentially affecting how your skin reacts to jewellery.
• Climate factors: Hot, humid environments increase sweating, which can accelerate any potential reactions between skin and metal.
• Lotions and products: Skincare ingredients can sometimes interact with metals, either protecting your skin or increasing the likelihood of reactions.

Understanding these factors helps explain why experiences vary, but with Ella & Eve's quality standards, even those with more reactive skin chemistry can enjoy our beautiful jewellery without concern.

Caring For Your Gold Plated Treasures

While our gold plated pieces are designed to maintain their beauty, proper care extends their life even further:

Daily Wear Guidelines

• Apply perfumes, lotions, and hairsprays before putting on your jewellery, not after.
• Remove your pieces before swimming, showering, or exercising – chlorine, soaps, and sweat can accelerate wear.
• Wipe your gold bracelets and other jewellery with a soft cloth after wearing to remove oils and moisture.
• Avoid contact with household chemicals, including cleaning products.

Cleaning & Storage

• Clean gently with a soft cloth – avoid abrasive materials that can scratch the gold layer.
• For deeper cleaning, use mild soapy water and pat completely dry.
• Store pieces individually in the complimentary Ella & Eve gift box to prevent scratches.
• Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity.

These simple habits help preserve the integrity of the gold plating, ensuring your necklaces, earrings, and other pieces remain beautiful and skin-friendly.

Choosing The Right Gold Plated Pieces For You

When building your gold jewellery collection, consider these practical tips:

• Start with less contact-intensive pieces: If you're new to gold plated jewellery, begin with earrings or necklaces, which have less constant skin contact than bracelets or rings.
• Consider your lifestyle: If you work with your hands or exercise frequently, choose pieces you can easily remove during these activities.
• Layer thoughtfully: When wearing multiple gold pieces, ensure they're of similar quality to prevent the lower-quality items from affecting the better ones.
• Rotate your collection: Giving pieces occasional breaks from wear helps preserve their finish. Our Buy 1, Get 50% OFF your second piece offer makes building a rotation-friendly collection affordable!

With Ella & Eve's complete collection, you can mix and match pieces confidently, knowing they're all crafted to the same exacting standards.

Your Gold Plated Jewellery Questions Answered

How long will gold plating last before wearing off?

With proper care, Ella & Eve's gold plated jewellery typically maintains its beautiful finish for 1-2 years of regular wear. Our thicker-than-standard plating significantly extends the life compared to budget alternatives.

Is gold plated jewellery worth buying compared to solid gold?

Absolutely! Quality gold plated jewellery offers the luxurious look of gold at a fraction of the cost. It allows you to enjoy more variety in your collection and experiment with different styles without the investment solid gold requires.

Can I shower or swim with my gold plated bracelet?

We recommend removing all gold plated jewellery before showering, swimming, or activities that cause heavy perspiration. Chemicals in water (especially chlorine), soaps, and sweat can accelerate the natural wear of the gold layer.

Will gold plated jewellery trigger allergies?

Ella & Eve's gold plated pieces are designed with hypoallergenic base metals, significantly reducing allergy risks. The substantial gold layer creates an effective barrier between potential allergens and your skin.

Discover Ella & Eve's Gold Plated Collection

Ready to enjoy beautiful gold jewellery without worrying about green skin? Our premium gold plated collection offers the perfect combination of luxury, affordability, and skin-friendly design.

From delicate gold anklets that catch the summer light to statement necklaces that elevate any outfit, each piece is crafted to be worn and enjoyed without concern.

Every Ella & Eve purchase includes our signature gift box and bag – perfect for storing your treasures properly or presenting a thoughtful gift to someone special.