For a very long time, jewellery has represented value and heritage, with solid gold being the ultimate display of luxury. As lifestyles evolved, women recognised they wanted to wear jewellery, not just for special occasions or to be set aside, but also regularly. Many women started to look for pieces that fit into office wear, casual wear, holidays, and more.
Thus, the gold-plated jewellery designs were introduced to the market and have become widely popular. Instead of having to store these pieces away like expensive gold sets, gold-plated jewellery lets women enjoy the beauty of gold in their day-to-day lives.
Why is 18K Gold-Plated Jewellery so popular?
Of all the types of gold-plated jewellery designs, 18K jewellery has remarkable popularity. The "18K" mark indicates the purity of the gold used in solid or plated form, with 75% pure gold, hence an 18K stamp. This purity of gold gives the jewellery a warm and rich shine that has the appearance of solid gold.
The allure of 18k plating comes from the luxury aspect of wearing real gold, without the associated costs. Women can now have multiple designs of real gold-plated jewellery, ranging from traditional to modern minimalist, without the constraints of needing to spend money on solid gold pieces.
The ability to experiment with trends and not worry about spending additional money has made modern fashion jewellery with "18K" gold plating on other materials the new trend.
What is the difference between Gold Electroplating and PVD Coating?
For the past several years, gold-plated jewellery has been produced using the electroplating process, in which a thin layer of gold is deposited onto a base metal. While electroplating gives a bright, glossy finish and allows for detailed designs, durability was a primary concern.
The film of gold is thin; if you wear electroplated jewellery every day, it will fade, scratch, and tarnish, often just within a few months. Electroplating also uses chemical baths, which are not environmentally friendly and are therefore less sustainable for modern consumers.
Today, modern jewellery houses, such as Taahira, are taking advantage of the PVD coating (Physical Vapour Deposition), which has proven to be significantly better. In PVD, the gold is evaporated and bonded to the surface in a vacuum chamber.
This creates an extremely hard and durable layer, which is more resistant to scratching, tarnishing from sweat, and corrosion, while maintaining a consistent and uniform finish that lasts longer.
Additionally, PVD is also environmentally friendly and avoids toxic chemicals, whilst using limited resources, and thereby increases the life of each piece of jewellery significantly.
For women looking for daily-wear jewellery: to the office, to the gym and even in the shower, PVD is the clear winner. They will stay shiny and colourful, despite water and sweat exposure, providing an added layer of practicality to their fashion statement.
Electroplated jewellery can be worn on occasion or for fast fashion, but if you want to enjoy long-lasting beauty, PVD is the technology of affordable luxury.
Why is Real Gold-Plated Jewellery valuable?
Real gold-plated ornaments can be considered 'real' because they contain a real layer of gold, unlike gold-coloured or finished accessories that will lose their colour or finish quickly. If treated properly, real gold-plated accessories will keep their shine and finish for a long time.
Women appreciate the authenticity of real gold-plated jewellery because it allows them to wear an item of jewellery that feels and looks luxurious without having to spend a fortune.
Whether a traditional saree or a western evening gown, it definitely looks better with a real gold-plated accessory.
Is 18K Gold Plated Waterproof?
One of the most common questions women have is, “Is 18K gold plating waterproof?” The short answer is: it is not technically waterproof.
With traditional electroplating, the answer was always no. Prolonged exposure to water, sweat or chemicals would diminish the plating, causing it to fade or lose its shine. However, with PVD coating, the answer is different!
PVD coating makes 18K gold-plated jewellery much more resistant to daily use. You can keep your favourite pieces on you at all times: in the shower, at the gym, or through busy daily routines, without worrying about tarnishing quickly.
While no jewellery should be treated carelessly, PVD-coated 18K gold-plated jewellery is designed to maintain its lustre and colour for years, even with regular wear.
Why Are Women Choosing Gold-Plated Jewellery Over Solid Gold?
Women are opting for gold-plated jewellery designs more and more because the value is usually more affordable and still looks stylish. Solid gold is often expensive, and while pure gold jewellery can be valuable, most women cannot develop a wide enough collection in solid gold.
With plated jewellery, women can readily adopt accessory trends and constantly shift their jewellery style. Wearing nice chokers and layering chains and chunky oversized hoops does not come at an expensive upfront cost, nor have any long-term financial obligations.
They are also more practical for daily wear, as plated ornaments are safer and easier to wear, in some cases, than expensive, solid gold ornaments that may just be sitting in a locker.
How can 18K Gold-Plated Jewellery be worn for various occasions?
The beauty of 18K gold-plated jewellery designs makes these pieces versatile for all occasions. In professional or office settings, women typically go for less flashy choices such as a pair of studs, a simple chain, or a thin bracelet, which allow for comfort and sophistication, without calling too much attention to themselves.
For festivals or weddings, women can choose to wear very heavy or chunky designs such as real gold-plated chokers and real gold-plated traditional jhumka, which allow for striking design choices that are large and loud, but don't come with a large price.
When styling plated 18k gold jewellery for western day or evening outfits, women can definitely incorporate chunky layering on their wrists and legs, or wear cocktail rings evenly spaced along the length of the fingers to get a fashion-forward, trendy look.
Even a casual look can be edged up with gold-plated jewellery designs because a pair of hoops or a charm bracelet can turn any laid-back outfit with jeans and a t-shirt chic.
Does sustainability matter when choosing plated jewellery?
Sustainability is an important part of how the world has started looking at fashion choices, and gold-plated ornaments are no exception. Traditional electroplating needs harsh chemicals and uses more resources, making it a less sustainable option.
However, the PVD coating process is done in a vacuum chamber, avoiding all toxic chemicals, using a very thin layer of gold. This increases the lifespan of the piece of jewellery significantly as compared to traditional gold plating.
This ultimately means less waste, fewer replacements, and still being able to enjoy stylish jewellery that lasts! By choosing PVD-coated 18K gold-plated jewellery, women not only expand the variety in their collection but also make choices that align with sustainable living.
What does the future of affordable luxury look like in jewellery?
The need for affordable luxury has an accelerated demand, and the jewellery industry is evolving to meet these demands. Thanks to the advancement in plating technologies, base materials being hypoallergenic, and the larger breadth of designs, affordable 18k gold-plated jewellery designs have never been more durable and desirable.
While women continue to see jewellery as a means of personal expression and not just an investment, real gold-plated pieces will always be leading the affordable luxury curve. They represent a trifecta of style, wearability, and practicality.
Conclusion: Choosing gold-plated jewellery designs over real gold
18k gold-plated jewellery is the affordable luxury of today. Thanks to gold electroplating, women can now have the luxury of gold-plated ornaments without the price tag of solid gold. Although it is not completely waterproof, when stored and cared for correctly, you can continue to enjoy the sparkly radiance for years to come.
The rise of gold-plated jewellery designs shows that both style and practicality matter to the modern woman, which is why 18k gold plating is the future of fashionable yet affordable fine jewellery.