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A Guide to Gold Plated Jewellery

close up of a hand holding a gold plated necklace with an engraved ice skate blade charm and a heart charm

Gold plated jewellery offers a warm, luxurious finish while remaining light and comfortable for everyday wear. It is a popular choice for skaters and jewellery lovers alike, allowing meaningful pieces to be worn regularly without the weight or investment of solid gold.

What is Gold Plating?

Gold plating is a specialist process in which a layer of gold is applied over sterling silver. When the base metal is sterling silver and the gold layer meets recognised thickness standards, this is often referred to as gold vermeil.

Traditionally, gold vermeil requires a minimum gold thickness of around 2.5 microns over sterling silver (.925 or higher), with the gold itself being at least 10ct in purity. This creates jewellery with the rich appearance of gold, combined with the strength and practicality of silver beneath.

All gold-plated Ice Skating Jewellery pieces are handcrafted in sterling silver and professionally finished using 18ct yellow gold by specialist plating workshops.

gold ice skate balde earrings on a white background

Why Choose Gold Plated Jewellery?

Many skaters choose gold plated jewellery as a way to wear symbolic or personalised pieces every day. It allows favourite designs to become part of a routine — worn to the rink, to school, or given as thoughtful gifts to mark milestones and achievements.

Gold plated pieces are also easy to layer and style, making them a versatile option for both younger skaters and adults.

How Gold Plating Naturally Wears Over Time

Gold plating is a surface finish, and like all plated jewellery, it will gradually change with wear. Daily life naturally brings contact with skin, clothing, movement and the environment. Over time, this can soften the brightness of the gold finish or reveal subtle wear in areas of regular contact.

Designs that feature more than one charm have a particularly beautiful sense of movement when worn. This natural motion can, however, increase friction between elements of the piece, meaning the gold finish may wear more quickly in those areas.

Caring for Gold Plated Jewellery

Simple care can help preserve the appearance of gold plated jewellery for longer. Removing pieces before showering, swimming or exercising is recommended, as is avoiding direct contact with perfumes, lotions and other chemicals.

When not being worn, storing jewellery separately can help prevent unnecessary rubbing or tangling with other items. If cleaning is needed, a gentle wash in warm soapy water followed by careful drying with a soft cloth is usually sufficient.

figure skater in a sparkly dress wearing a gold necklace

Re-Plating and Ongoing Care

As part of the natural life cycle of plated jewellery, some pieces may benefit from professional re-plating after a period of wear. This can help restore the richness of the gold finish and allow well-loved jewellery to continue being enjoyed.

Many customers see this as similar to maintaining other treasured items — an occasional refresh that helps meaningful pieces look their best.

If you would like to understand how this service works, you can read more on our Sparkle Again jewellery aftercare page.

Considering Solid Gold

For those who prefer a finish that will not wear over time, solid gold offers the most durable long-term option. Some customers later choose to recreate favourite designs in solid gold, allowing them to keep the same sentimental style in a form that can be worn for many years.

If you have any questions about gold plated jewellery or would like to discuss care or re-plating options, please feel welcome to contact us.

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