Some types of gold jewelry last forever; others last about 5 years.
It all depends on the type of gold jewelry you wish to spend your money on. Often, well-made gold jewelry will last a lifetime or longer.
Does Gold Jewelry Last Forever?
Solid gold jewelry in 10k, 14k, or 18k will last forever, or rather your lifetime and even the next, since you’d be able to pass it down to loved ones who will keep wearing it after your time.
Gold-plated gold jewelry, on the other hand, will last for about 5 years when cared for properly.
How long does gold jewelry last?
Solid gold jewelry lasts a long, long time, and the best part is that this jewelry will retain its value forever, unlike the gold plated jewelry options that may give you 5 years with proper care.
The 5-years for the gold-plated jewelry is not guaranteed, though, and the pieces may not last as long in case of a very thin layer of gold or improper care.
Gold vermeils last the longest since they have the thickest layer of gold of all the three types of gold-plated pieces, and the gold-filled pieces follow them; and last on the list is the gold-plated options which fade quite fast since they are the lowest quality pieces that are easily affected by environmental factors hence quickly tarnishing.
On the other hand, solid gold lasts quite long, and these pieces are resistant to tarnishing.
If you are looking for good quality gold jewelry that will not break the bank and remain in perfect working condition for some years, an excellent alternative for the solid gold pieces will be the gold vermeils and the gold-filled options.
These are also good options for anyone with sensitive skin.
That said, if you are looking for the most durable gold jewelry varieties and wouldn’t mind a high price tag, you’d have to stick to the solid gold options.
To answer your questions, solid gold jewelry will last forever, gold vermeil and gold-filled jewelry will remain in good condition for between 10 and 30 years, depending on how you care for them, while the gold-plated pieces last a maximum of 5 years, with the best care possible, but most of these gold pieces remain in perfect condition for only 2 years.
How long does 18k gold jewelry last?
18k gold is regarded as the purest version of gold used in jewelry, meaning it’s the most valuable gold that is easily available, with 18k gold jewelry options being some of the most valuable options on the market today.
But 18k gold is soft and susceptible to dings, dents, and scratches. Additionally, 18k gold jewelry will fade after repeated exposure to moisture, and you must take extra care to avoid situations that may damage the jewelry.
Doing this will protect the value of the jewelry, and such valuable pieces will last forever, easily.
Note that 18k gold contains 18 parts pure gold out of 24 parts, which translates to 75% pure gold and 25% metal alloys.
The alloys that make up 25% are made of a mixture of copper, palladium, zinc, and nickel, and depending on their proportions; they form different versions of 18k gold. 18k gold is significantly malleable, soft, and delicate despite the alloying.
18k white gold is the most durable version of 18k gold jewelry since these pieces are rhodium-plated, which means an added layer of protection and enhanced scratch resistance and durability.
When buying 18k gold pieces, you are always aware of these risks. Because of the high price tag, you will instinctively give it the best care, which is why like your 18k pieces of jewelry, pretty much every owner of this type of jewelry agrees with us that the jewelry lasts forever. You only need to care for the jewelry well.
How long does 14k gold jewelry last?
14k gold is the most popular and also the preferred version of gold used in jewelry as it is alloyed with a significantly higher percentage of metal alloys at 41.7% against 58.3% pure gold. 18k gold is made of 75% pure gold hence its softness.
With 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% metal alloys, the resultant gold alloy with 14 out of 24 parts pure gold is much stronger, sturdier, and even more durable than 18k gold, which is why 14k gold jewelry will last forever.
14k gold pieces, often in the form of engagement and wedding rings, are made with copper, zinc, palladium, nickel, and silver. The higher proportion of metal alloys ensures a higher hardness level, hence enhanced durability.
Note, however, that with the higher gold-to-alloy ratio in this gold alloy, 14k gold is more susceptible to tarnishing and other forms of wear and tear, and you’d have to actively clean and maintain the jewelry to slow down and prevent the signs of wear from showing up.
Doing this will allow you to enjoy the best 14k gold jewelry for a lifetime.
Tips for storing your low-carat gold jewelry
- Store your gold jewelry in an airtight, clean, dry, and velvet-cushioned jewelry box. Remember that gold is quite soft, hence the need for a softer surface for the pieces to sit on safely and to avoid getting scratched
- Wrap the gold pieces individually around a soft cloth in the absence of a jewelry box. You could use the small phone screen cloths and extra wrap to store each piece separately.
- To prevent tangling and scratching, always store your gold pieces separately.
- Avoid storing the jewelry on surfaces that expose the gold pieces to the sun’s UV rays or humidity.
- Add silica gel packs to the jewelry storage box to keep them dry
- Don’t store your jewelry in a room that experiences extreme swings in temperature
Conclusion
With proper care, solid gold jewelry will last a very long time or forever.
But the plated pieces don’t hold up as well since the layer of gold is too thin and wears out too fast, meaning you shouldn’t expect the cheap gold pieces to last as long as jewelry made of solid gold.
In terms of durability, the gold vermeils and gold-filled jewelry come next, lasting between one and three decades.
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Tiger is a fashion&jewelry lover. He is also a fashion jewelry manufacturer that help thousands of small business to grow and also do business with some big fashion jewelry brands. He is a truly metal expert and he will share some information you are looking for.