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What Is Gold Plated Jewellery?

What Is Gold Plated Jewellery?

Gold Plated Jewellery: What is it & how long does it last?

At Daphine, we are proud to create jewellery that costs less than your Friday night out in London, yet designed and crafted in a way whereby it's sufficiently classic, and well-made so you can still be wearing it in five, or even ten, years. 


This is achieved through using gold-plated jewellery that you can style for every occasion. We’ve put together a guide below for everything you need to know about gold-plated jewellery and how it’s used in your favourite Daphine treasures you have come to love.

What is gold-plated jewellery?

There are some misconceptions about gold plated jewellery, many of you are asking “What does ‘gold’ plated jewellery mean?” and more importantly, “what is it made of?”. There are so many different materials used when creating gold plated jewellery, however, it is simply made from two components, metal jewellery, and a layer of liquid gold. 

Here at Daphine, we design our jewellery so that it’s made to last and stand the test of time. Each piece is handmade with 18ct gold laid over recycled brass that is Responsible Jewellery Council certified. On top of that, all of our pieces are made with an extra resilient layer of gold that doesn’t easily wear away, whilst also being hypoallergenic and nickel-free. 

Is gold plated real gold? 

Whilst gold-plated jewellery may not be made out of pure gold, it is still authentic, vibrant and made with a real gold outer layer. Gold plated jewellery is a more affordable alternative than real gold and doesn’t demand a sacrifice on style. 

If you’re unsure as to whether a piece of jewellery is gold plated or not, we recommend taking it to a jeweller who will be equipped with the right knowledge to assist you.

Telltale signs of your jewellery being gold plated are:

Vibrancy - Gold-plated jewellery is often more vibrant than solid gold jewellery. 

What do the different gold carats mean? 

Carat refers to the percentage of pure gold and can be abbreviated into different symbols such as ct, kt, or K. 

Each carat has a different appearance and can be used for different purposes.

24 carat Gold

This is the purest form of gold and consists of 99.9% gold. This type of gold is used to create fine jewellery or intricate objects due to its natural yellow colour, its softness and malleability.

22 Carat Gold

This percentage of gold is better used for plain jewellery such as wedding bands.

18 Carat Gold

This percentage is radiant, with a warmer and brighter colouring. 18-carat gold is more commonly used with durable metal alloys that add extra colour and strength to the jewellery. You can shop our range of 18ct gold-plated jewellery.

14 Carat Gold 

This percentage offers a warm yellow hue and is more commonly used than the higher carats due to its price point. 

9 Carat Gold

9 carat gold jewellery has the lowest percentage of carat. It’s a light yellow in colour and is preferred over most other metals in the creation of jewellery due to its strength and durability. 

How do I take care of gold-plated jewellery? 

Show your pieces a little love. We suggest polishing your treasures regularly with a microfiber cloth to keep them looking their best. Never use any chemicals, just soap and water is plenty. Avoid wearing your jewellery when bathing or applying lotions, and store each piece individually, in its Daphine pouch.

Does gold plated jewellery rust/fade?

Gold-plated jewellery can rust or fade over time. The rate that this happens purely depends on how you take care of your pieces. We’re committed to creating timeless pieces that will last the test of time, and so we make all of our pieces with an extra resilient layer of gold that doesn’t easily wear away. 

If you notice your Daphine piece is starting to fade or needs replating, we offer this service for free within three years of purchase or receipt under standard conditions of normal wear-and-tear if your plating fades. You can find out more about this offering in our FAQ’s.

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  1. Select an existing ring that fits the desired finger.
  2. Measure the internal diameter of the ring (in mm).
  3. Use the below chart to determine your ring size.
Inside Diameter UK EU US
14.05 mm F 44 3
14.36 mm G 45 3 ⅜
14.97 mm H 46 4
15.40 mm I 47 4 ¼
16 mm J 49 4 ¾
16.10 mm K 50 5 ¼
16.30 mm L 51 5 ¾
16.50 mm L ½ 52 6
16.90 mm M ½ 53 6 ¼
17.10 mm N 54 6 2⁄4
17.50 mm O 55 7
17.90 mm P 56 7 2⁄4
18.30 mm Q 57 8

TIPS & TRICKS

Your ring should fit your finger comfortably, snug enough so that it will not fall off but loose enough to slide over your knuckle with some resistance.

For best results measure your finger size at the end of the day and when your fingers are their largest.

Don’t measure when your body temperature is either too cold or too hot. Only measure when fingers are at room temperature.

If you hesitate between two sizes, always go with the larger one.

If you are purchasing a wide band, you will be more comfortable moving up a half size from your measurement.