- Four things decide plating life: thickness, base metal, skin chemistry and care habits.
- US FTC minimums: 0.175 microns for gold electroplate and 2.5 microns for heavy gold electroplate or vermeil.
- Tanishka Jewels uses 2–3 micron plating on a nickel-free copper alloy (imitation, not real gold).
- A 6-month colour guarantee applies, with exclusions for damage, loss or theft, and chemicals.
- Perfume on first, jewellery last, and off before water is the habit that helps most.
The question usually arrives two months after a purchase: why has my necklace lost its shine? The answer is rarely luck. It comes down to four things you can read before you buy.
How long does gold plated jewellery last, and what decides it?
No honest brand can give one number, because plating life depends on four factors: plating thickness, base metal, your skin chemistry and how you care for the piece. Ultra-thin plating can dull within weeks, while thicker plating lasts much longer. Our own promise is specific: a 6-month colour guarantee against colour fading.
How thick is gold plating, and why does it matter?
Thicker plating takes longer to wear through at rubbing points such as ring rims, clasps and bangle edges. The US FTC Jewelry Guides (Federal Register, 2018) set two benchmarks: “gold electroplate” needs at least 0.175 microns, and “heavy gold electroplate” or “vermeil” needs at least 2.5 microns, in gold of at least 10 karat. Tanishka Jewels’ micro plating is 2–3 microns; that is our published specification, not a claim of FTC grade, and the FTC is a US regulator.
Which base metal holds plating best?
Plating bonds to the metal beneath it, so a base that corrodes lifts the plating from underneath. Copper and brass can also leave green marks on skin once the plating wears through, which is a reaction between copper, sweat and air, not a sign of fake gold.
| Base metal | What to know |
|---|---|
| Nickel-free copper alloy | Our choice: stable, bonds well with plating, and avoids nickel |
| Brass | Common and affordable; copper content can mark skin when plating wears thin |
| Zinc alloy | Cheap and heavy; corrodes in sweat, so plating can flake |
| Nickel alloys | Nickel is the most frequent contact allergen: about 8–19% of European adults are allergic, with higher rates in women (Ahlström et al., Contact Dermatitis, 2019) |
How does your skin affect plating?
Sweat, skin acidity and humid weather wear plating at different speeds for different people; Palmonas, for instance, notes on its FAQ that humid weather dulls a gold finish faster. If rings darken quickly on you or you sweat heavily, favour thicker plating, keep pieces away from the gym and wipe them after wearing.
Which care habits help most?
Care is the factor you control. Five habits do most of the work, and our full care guide explains each:
- Step 1: put perfume and lotion on first, jewellery last.
- Step 2: remove it before bathing, swimming and washing hands.
- Step 3: wipe each piece with a soft dry cloth after wearing.
- Step 4: store pieces separately in soft pouches.
- Step 5: keep hand sanitiser and chlorine away from them.
What should you check before buying gold plated jewellery?
Most brands do not state plating thickness, so look for signals: a written guarantee that names what it covers, a stated base metal, a stated thickness and a claim process that avoids self-shipping. To see how brands measure up, read our brand comparison and the Palmonas vs Tanishka Jewels guide.
How does gold plated jewellery compare with other types?
| Type | What it is |
|---|---|
| Flash or standard plating | A very thin gold layer, often under 1 micron, over base metal |
| Micro gold plating (Tanishka Jewels) | Multi-layer plating, 2–3 microns, over a nickel-free copper alloy; imitation jewellery, not real gold |
| Vermeil | Per the FTC, sterling silver coated with at least 2.5 microns of gold of 10 karat or more |
| Gold filled | Per the FTC, gold of at least 10 karat making up one-twentieth of the weight, bonded to base metal |
| Real gold (14K–22K) | Solid gold alloy; 22K was ₹13,675 per gram on 5 October 2026 (Candere) |
What does the Tanishka Jewels guarantee cover?
| Promise | Terms |
|---|---|
| 6-month colour guarantee | If the gold colour fades within 6 months, WhatsApp a photo to +91 81428 45928. A free replacement is dispatched within 48 hours, with no return shipping and no form. |
| Not covered | Physical damage (bending, breaking, cutting), loss or theft, and damage from chemicals, perfume or chlorine |
| Buyback | 50% of the purchase price within 6 months; 35% at 6–12 months; minimum ₹100 after that (cash/UPI or store credit). A partial refund that declines over time, not appreciation |
| Returns | 7-day returns from delivery for unused pieces in original packaging; exchange for a new design in months 7–12 |
Browse necklaces, earrings and bangles, or shop pieces under ₹499.
Frequently asked questions
A longer-lasting piece starts with reading the specification and ends with a few small habits. For the festival season, see our Durga Puja jewellery guide and Diwali gift guide.
Questions about a piece?
Message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you the plating, base metal and care for any design. Cash on Delivery across India.
Deepa founded Tanishka Jewels to bring the look of fine gold to the modern woman: jewellery designed with a fashion-first eye, finished by hand and made to be worn, loved and remembered. Connect on LinkedIn →
