Gold Plating Restoration Guide: How to Revive Your Favourite Jewellery

Yes, Gold Plating Can Be Restored!

The good news is clear: gold plating that has worn off can absolutely be restored to its original beauty. This process, known as replating, can breathe new life into your treasured jewellery pieces, making them look as stunning as the day you first fell in love with them.

Whether it's your favourite pair of gold earrings that have lost their lustre or a cherished gold anklet showing signs of wear, professional replating can restore that warm, rich gold finish.

While the process requires professional expertise and equipment, the results can be remarkable – often making pieces look brand new again. Let's explore how gold plating works, your restoration options, and how to keep your Ella & Eve pieces looking their best for years to come.

Understanding Gold Plating: The Basics

Gold plating is a precise process that creates a thin layer of gold over a base metal (typically brass, copper, or sterling silver). This technique allows for the luxurious look of gold at a more accessible price point.

The Gold Plating Process

The professional gold plating process involves several key steps:

1. Cleaning: The base metal is thoroughly cleaned to remove any dirt, oils, or oxidation.
2. Polishing: The piece is polished to create a smooth surface for the gold to adhere to.
3. Priming: Often, a layer of nickel or copper is applied first to improve adhesion and durability.
4. Electroplating: The jewellery is immersed in a solution containing gold particles and an electrical current is applied, causing the gold to bond to the metal surface.
5. Finishing: The newly plated piece is rinsed, dried, and polished to achieve the desired shine.

The thickness of the gold layer directly affects how long the plating will last – typically ranging from 0.5 to 3 microns (extremely thin!). This is why gold plating naturally wears over time with regular use.

Professional Replating: The Gold Standard

When your beloved gold necklace or gold bracelet begins to show signs of wear, professional replating offers the most reliable restoration option.

What to Expect from Professional Services

• Complete Restoration: Jewellers will strip any remaining gold, repair any damage to the base metal, and apply a fresh layer of gold plating.
• Consistent Finish: Professional equipment ensures an even, smooth gold layer across the entire piece.
• Customisation Options: You can often choose different gold tones (yellow, rose, or white) and sometimes even the thickness of the plating.
• Quality Assurance: Reputable jewellers stand behind their work with guarantees on the replating process.

For best results, seek out jewellers who specialise in plating services rather than general repair shops. Many high-street jewellers offer this service, or you can find specialists who focus exclusively on metal plating.

The process typically takes 3-7 days, though some jewellers offer express services for an additional fee.

DIY Gold Plating: Proceed with Caution

While professional replating yields the best results, some DIY options exist for the brave and crafty:

Gold Plating Kits

Home gold plating kits are available online and include the necessary solutions and equipment. However, these come with significant limitations:

• Results are rarely as durable or even as professional services
• The process involves chemicals that require careful handling
• Success depends heavily on proper preparation and technique
• Most kits use gold-coloured solutions rather than real gold

Gold Pens and Solutions

Gold touch-up pens offer a temporary fix for small areas of wear. These are better for minor touch-ups rather than full restoration and typically don't last long.

For valuable or sentimental pieces, professional replating is strongly recommended over DIY approaches. The investment in professional work will provide longer-lasting results and protect your precious items from potential damage.

Extending the Life of Your Gold-Plated Jewellery

Prevention is always better than restoration. Here's how to make the gold plating on your Ella & Eve jewellery last longer:

• Remove Before Water Exposure: Take off gold-plated pieces before showering, swimming, or washing hands. Chlorine, salt water, and even tap water can accelerate wear.
• Avoid Chemicals: Perfumes, lotions, hairsprays, cleaning products, and even natural body oils can break down gold plating. Apply these products before putting on your jewellery.
• Store Properly: Keep pieces in individual soft pouches or compartments to prevent scratching. Anti-tarnish strips in your jewellery box can help too.
• Clean Gently: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe pieces after wearing. For deeper cleaning, use mild soap and lukewarm water, then dry thoroughly.
• Rotate Your Collection: Give pieces a break by alternating what you wear. This is the perfect excuse to expand your collection with our Buy 1, Get 50% OFF your second item offer!

Even with perfect care, gold plating will eventually wear with regular use. This is simply the nature of the plating process and not a reflection of quality.

When to Consider Replating Your Jewellery

How do you know when it's time to restore your gold-plated treasures? Look for these signs:

• Visible Base Metal: When the underlying metal (often silver or brass) becomes visible through the gold layer
• Colour Changes: Noticeable fading, dulling, or discolouration of the gold finish
• Uneven Appearance: Areas that receive more friction (like the back of rings or bracelet clasps) often show wear first
• Tarnishing: If the base metal begins to oxidize and show through as dark spots

Most gold-plated jewellery will begin showing signs of wear within 6 months to 2 years, depending on:

• How often you wear the piece
• Your body chemistry (some people's skin oils cause faster wear)
• Exposure to moisture and chemicals
• The original plating thickness
• How well you've cared for the item

Special occasion pieces that are worn less frequently may maintain their plating for many years with proper care and storage.

Cost vs. Value: Is Replating Worth It?

When deciding whether to replate your gold jewellery, consider these factors:

When Replating Makes Sense

• Sentimental Value: Pieces with emotional significance are often worth restoring regardless of cost
• Quality Base Metal: Items with sterling silver or solid brass bases generally justify replating
• Designer Pieces: Higher-end jewellery with distinctive designs often merits the investment
• Vintage or Unique Items: One-of-a-kind pieces that can't be easily replaced

When to Consider Alternatives

• Inexpensive Fashion Pieces: For very low-cost items, replacement might be more economical
• Extensively Damaged Base: If the underlying metal has significant damage or corrosion
• Multiple Replating Cycles: After several replating treatments, quality may diminish

Professional gold replating typically costs between £30-£80 for small to medium pieces, depending on size, complexity, and the jeweller's pricing. While not inexpensive, it's often much more affordable than replacing beloved pieces.

Consider replating as an investment in extending the life of your favourite jewellery rather than a recurring expense.

Ella & Eve: Quality That Lasts

At Ella & Eve, we take pride in creating gold-plated jewellery that stands the test of time. Our pieces feature:

• Premium Base Metals: We use quality materials beneath our gold plating for durability and longevity
• Optimal Plating Thickness: Our gold layers are applied to industry-leading standards
• Tarnish-Resistant Finishes: Many pieces include protective coatings to extend wear
• Thoughtful Design: We consider wear patterns in our designs to minimise friction on plated surfaces

Every Ella & Eve jewellery purchase includes a complimentary gift box and branded gift bag that doubles as perfect storage to protect your pieces when not being worn.

Ready to add to your collection? Explore our stunning range of gold bracelets, gold necklaces, gold earrings, and gold anklets.

Limited time offer: Buy 1 piece, get 50% OFF your second item!

Gold Plating FAQs: Your Questions Answered

How long does replated gold jewellery last?

Professionally replated jewellery typically lasts 1-2 years with regular wear, though this varies based on care, wear frequency, and the thickness of the new plating. With proper care, it can last significantly longer.

Can all gold-plated jewellery be replated?

Most gold-plated jewellery can be replated, but pieces with gemstones, pearls, or other heat-sensitive elements may require special handling. Some very inexpensive pieces with poor-quality base metals might not be suitable candidates.

Will replating change how my jewellery looks?

Professional replating should restore your jewellery to its original appearance or even improve it. You can often choose between different gold tones (yellow, rose, or white) during the replating process if you want a change.

Is gold-filled jewellery different from gold-plated?

Yes, gold-filled jewellery has a much thicker layer of gold (typically 100 times thicker than standard plating) that's mechanically bonded to the base metal. It lasts significantly longer than gold plating but is also more expensive. Gold-filled pieces rarely need replating.