What is electroplated gold?

It depends on how thick it is Justin. A good gold color can be seen with a thickness of under 10 millionths of an inch, which can wear off a ring very quickly, but would last longer on a pin or broach. But greater thicknesses, which could last years, are very possible. Some old gold pocket watches had plating thick enough to last a century.

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

Is electroplated gold worth anything? I have a charm bracelet that was my mothers and it is in its original box with a tag saying 18k electroplate gold. I am trying to find out if it is worth anything.

Hi, Lauren. Jewelry is jewelry and much of its value is in its appearance and workmanship. Some very nice, and reasonably expensive, jewelry is gold plated.

But, sorry, the intrinsic precious metal value is probably very little because the plating is probably only millionths of an inch thick. Once it is not considered attractive jewelry, it's pretty much worthless, in contrast to solid gold jewelry which has intrinsic metal value.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

Jewelry: Concepts
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I am also trying to find out what electroplate gold is but after reading your responses to the other same questions from inquirers, I finally understand. So what do you call it when a the jewelry item is a solid 18 karat gold not electroplated?

Hi, Suzanne. It would just be called 18k gold, which means the element gold comprises 18 parts out of 24, and other metals comprise the other 6 parts out of 24.

18k gold is quite pure and very valuable; gold of any higher purity of gold isn't very common in jewelry largely because it is quite soft and might not hold detail well. Most solid gold jewelry is 14k, 12k, 10k, or 9k.

(Although electroplated gold usually has little intrinsic value because it is so thin, the karat of the plating is apparently sometimes specified because it can effect the tarnish resistance, color, or engineering properties).

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

I was wonder, is electroplated lesser value then plated?

They are the same thing, Cindy: plated is just an abbreviation for electroplated. But again, the thickness can range from a few millionths of an inch to much much thicker. But in any case, the value of gold plated jewelry is in the artistry and visual appeal, not the intrinsic value of the metal.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

would diamonds in a ring that reads 18 kgersc most likely be real or fake?

Q. Hi,
I have a 14K gold engagement ring and I decided to buy a 14K gold electroplated stainless steel wedding band online, when it arrived I was very unhappy to see the two golds do not match at all despite both being 14K golds, the electroplated gold is very yellow. Is there anything I can do to make the gold on the stainless steel ring match my engagement ring?

Q. I have an antique diamond ring, it has a yellow gold setting. Can the setting be dipped in rose gold?

January 19, 2012

A. Hi, Brian.

If you can find a jeweler or plating shop who offers rose gold, your ring can certainly be plated with it, but it may be hard to find because it requires that they maintain a tank of rose gold plating solution (this is gold with a rather exacting amount of other metals like copper to give it the gold tint).

If the ring is actually worn, however, the plating will wear fairly fast because rings (as opposed to broaches, for example) are very high wear items. Further, unless you see samples, there is a good chance that the platers' idea of the color of rose gold may not match your idea.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

Q. Hi, I just purchased a 1930's Gruen ladies wristwatch which has an octagon case with engraved designs in it. How can I tell if it is electroplated? I would like to clean it and I don't know what to use.

Sincerely,

Diane

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