Gold plated jewellery is a popular alternative to solid gold. Gold plated jewellery comes at a more affordable price point, and its appearance mimics the real solid gold option. When it comes to looking at gold plated jewellery's resale value, and durability, people are often left wondering 'Does gold plated jewellery have any value?'.
In simple terms, gold plated jewellery is a base metal (commonly copper or silver) with a very thin layer of gold applied to the surface. The gold plate layer is applied using chemical or electrochemical plating methods. The thickness of the gold plate layer is largely dependent on the manufacturer but is commonly 0.5 to 2.5 microns thick (some items can be thicker).
The quickest way to identify if your jewellery is plated is by looking for the appropriate marks. Marks are usually stamped into the jewellery piece in an area that can't be seen when worn, the marks can be very small so a loupe or magnifying glass may be needed to see these clearly. Gold plated pieces may be marked with "GP" for "gold plated", "GE" for "gold electroplate", "HGE" for "heavy gold electroplate", or "RGP" for "rolled gold plate".
Where gold plating has worn, a silver or copper tone may show through.
One of the main reasons people choose gold plated jewellery over solid gold is the fact it is a cheaper option and has the same appearance as solid gold. One of the main drawbacks to gold plate is the durability, and its resemblance to real gold can reduce over time as the jewellery piece is worn. The thinly applied gold layer can wear off over time exposing the underlying base metal. This is why you often see older or vintage gold plated jewellery with a silver or copper hue to it. Where silver is the base, tarnish can migrate into the plating over time, dulling the colour. Longevity is influenced by the plating thickness and how the item is worn and cared for.
The lower cost of gold plated jewellery vs. solid gold or rolled gold, makes for a very popular option. Especially with fast fashion brands, where jewellery is produced at low cost and high volume and designs change frequently to keep up with current trends. The lower price point makes it more accessible by the mass market.
Thickness of Gold Layer:
The recoverable fine-gold content is extremely small, so the metal value is negligible on individual pieces. It would take a huge weight of gold plated items to actually extract a small amount of pure gold. Therefore, for most scrap-gold buyers, there is typically no value. However, it may be important to note that the base metal (copper or silver) may have some scrap value if in large enough quantity.
Processing Costs:
Separating a very thin plated layer from base metal requires specialist refining, and costs generally exceed the potential return. The total cost of processing and refining the gold can exceed the value of the actual pure gold that is extracted. Refiners can use chemicals such as aqua regia (a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid) to dissolve and separate gold from its base metals.
Although gold-plated jewellery has little value for recycling. Plated items can sometimes be resold as pre-owned jewellery (for example on marketplaces) if the design and condition appeal to buyers.
For Fashion, Not Investment
For fashion wear it can be a practical, affordable option if you want the gold look without the higher cost, accepting that finish will wear over time. If you are the type of person who likes to keep up with quickly changing trends then investing in solid gold jewellery that could fall out of style may not be your best option.
Long-Term Use and Heirlooms
For jewellery items that you intend to keep for a long time or pass down as heirlooms, buying solid gold items are generally more durable and simpler to value by metal content. Precious-metal prices move up and down and you may receive less or more than you paid.
Gold plated jewellery does have its benefits, and is a great affordable option for those who may be looking to keep up with the latest, fast moving jewellery trends. If your priority is long-term durability or future value in metal content, consider solid-gold jewellery. When it comes to reselling gold plated rings, necklaces or any other jewellery piece there is little value at scrap. If you are looking at selling solid gold jewellery it is a simple and easy process with us.
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