Plated Jewelry, To Choose, or Not to Choose

By: Tammy Chilton of The Jewelry Junction

I have always been terrified if the words plated were in anyway associated with anything jewelry! I have skin chemistry that stops watches and anything not 925, 14KT or Platinum will turn me as green as Kermit the Frog with in an hour or so! I have gone into the "FINE - FAUX" jewelry stores where they plate platinum over other metals and swear they last forever, swear it won't, can't turn me green, they offer wonderful money back guarantees and kept them! I bought one of these rings once, it was the prettiest ring you ever saw! I loved it. I put it on and continued shopping with my mother at the mall. Our shopping was not over before I had to take it back show them the green ring it left on my finger and how it was dulling inside already! Now while I don't fault the merchant, this type of jewelry just won't work for me!

Now, you may be like those of us who will run at the mention of a "quality" plated item, or you may be able to wear the higher end plated items. I try never to purchase or offer anything less than a precious over sterling. (I also will never sell anything not clearly marked in the description, if there is a coating or overlay). If in fact you are like me can tolerate no less than a precious metal, you are ok even if the plating wears off, it won't look bad or turn you into a swamp frog!

For my own personal jewelry, I have always still tried to only get all Sterling, or all 14Kt pieces, because of the alkaline factor and seeming to accelerate the wearing & peeling of the plating, SO when I first started in this business, I wouldn't purchase, list or even look at the Rhodium Plated items offer by my distributors, which was causing a real limitation to what I was able to offer my customers. So finally, out of complete frustration, I finally asked questions! In my ignorant set ways (yes, I can admit it!) I didn't realize that a huge percent of the silver market these days are coated with some form or other of preventative against tarnishing! Rhodium is an expensive quality precious metal that gives the piece a brilliant shine and protects it from that nasty tarnish that it takes a serious cleaning to really remove! Now I love it and haven't noticed a lot of wear against the finish. I am sure with the type of skin I have there must be some wear and tear, but no obvious peeling and still no tarnish, and I have had several of these pieces for several years now.

Sterling has come a long way, I guess it's time we come with it! It is my honest opinion that these coatings and overlays enhance the look and value of Sterling Silver jewelry, because if you are like most people or if you have an extensive collection, you may not wear all your pieces regularly. The unfinished sterling will be tarnished black when you decide to wear it, which is fine if you are preparing for an occasion (see my article 'Why Jewelry?' for info on accessorizing with jewelry), but if you are like me and look in the jewelry box to see what fits the mood and outfit for the day, you want your pieces to be clean shiny and ready to wear at all times. So folks, don't fear plating, just know whats on top & what lies beneath, and you will be happy with your long lasting jewelry collections for years!

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