Why Gold Plated Jewellery Turns Black (and How to Prevent It)

Short answer: Gold plated jewellery loses its shine when its thin metal layer meets sweat, water, perfume or chemicals. Simple daily habits slow this down.

What causes tarnish?

  • Sweat and body oils wear down the plating.
  • Water, soap and cleaning chemicals react with the metal.
  • Perfume and cosmetics are quite harsh on plated surfaces.
  • Humid storage speeds up dulling.

What to do

  1. Wipe your jewellery with a soft cloth after every use.
  2. Put perfume and creams on first, jewellery last.
  3. Store each piece separately in a dry box or pouch.
  4. If you need to clean it, use only a soft brush with jewellery cleaning solution.

What not to do

  • Do not soak jewellery in water.
  • Do not clean it with soap or any other chemicals.

When to choose Anti-Tarnish jewellery

If you want something that needs less worry, look at our Anti-Tarnish range, which is made in ceramic and stainless steel. These are tagged "Anti Tarnish" on our site. Browse stainless steel bracelets and ceramic kada.

FAQs

Why does gold plated jewellery turn black?
Its thin metal layer reacts with sweat, water, perfume and chemicals over time.

Does every piece turn black at the same speed?
No. It depends on the finish, how often you wear it and how you store it.

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