What gold plated exactly means
Gold plated means that a layer of gold has been applied over another base. Gilded earrings is the Dutch word for it. What the term does not say is what that base is made of, and that is where the entire difference in quality lies.
With cheap gold-plated jewelry, the base is often brass or steel. These are base metals, and they can leave a green mark on your skin or cause irritation as soon as the gold layer becomes thin. Therefore, two earrings that are both labeled "gold plated" can be completely different things.
18 carat gold plated on 925 sterling silver
All gold-plated earrings by Eline Rosina have a base of 925 sterling silver, a precious metal. This silver base is immersed in a gold bath, creating a genuine layer of 18-carat gold with a shiny finish. An E-coating is applied over this to protect the gold layer against wear.
That is the reason these earrings last longer than gold plating on brass, and why they do not develop green edges. You can read more about the materials we use on our materials page , and we explain the difference with gold vermeil in what gold vermeil jewelry is .
Gold plated studs, creolen en huggies
The collection consists of 28 studs, 21 hoops and creoles, 4 huggies, 3 ear cuffs, and a few pendants. Studs start at 15 euros, making them the easiest entry point if you are still trying out which style suits you.
If you are looking for a specific shape, you can also go directly to the gold studs , the hoops and creoles , the huggies , or the ear cuffs . For something more striking, there are the statement earrings and the dangles from the Atelier Collection .
Gold plated, gold filled of massief goud?
There are four terms that are used interchangeably and mean something completely different. This is the difference.
| Type |
What it is |
Lifespan |
| Gold plated (verguld) |
gold layer on a different base, quality depends on that base |
years, provided you handle it carefully |
| Gold plated on sterling silver |
What we make: 18k gold on 925 silver with E-coating |
longer than gilding on brass or steel |
| Gold filled |
a thicker layer of gold that is mechanically pressed onto the base |
longer than gilded, shorter than solid |
| Solid 14 carat gold |
Gold through and through, no coating that can wear off |
for life, even in the shower and in bed |
In short: gold plated is the affordable way to wear the look, solid gold is the investment that lasts. If you want something you never take off, you are better off with gold ear piercings or the 14-karat collection .
This is how gold-plated earrings stay beautiful
A gold layer wears down, no matter how good the base is. With three habits, you significantly extend the lifespan of your gold-plated earrings:
- Keep them out of the water. Take them off before showering, swimming, or exercising.
- Store them away when you are not wearing them. Air and moisture are bad for the gold plating.
- Do not wear them in an irritated or inflamed ear. Inflammation changes the acidity of your skin, which can cause the gold coating to discolor.
Furthermore, occasional cleaning is sufficient. You can find out exactly how to do this in our article on caring for jewelry .
Self-designed, made in Thailand
We design all the earrings ourselves. They are made in Thailand, at factories that founder Hanna visits once a year to get hold of samples from the new collection and fine-tune the final details. After that, they go to the atelier in Nijmegen.
New work is added every year, so your stack never has to stay the same. You can find the latest in new in , and read more about how Eline Rosina came into being on our story .
Frequently asked questions about gold-plated earrings
What are gold-plated earrings?
Gold-plated earrings are earrings with a layer of real gold over another base, also known as gold-plated earrings. At Eline Rosina, this is 18-karat gold on a 925 sterling silver base, with a protective E-coating over it. As a result, they look like gold, while being significantly more affordable than solid 14-karat gold .
Is gold plated real gold?
Gold plated is real gold, but only on the outside. The gold layer itself is made of real 18-karat gold, while the core consists of another metal. In our case, that is 925 sterling silver, also a precious metal. The difference from solid gold therefore lies not in the authenticity of the gold, but in the amount used.
Can gold plated tarnish?
Gold plating can tarnish when the gold layer wears off or comes into contact with water, perfume, or a change in your skin's pH level. This happens faster with an infected ear. Therefore, remove your earrings before showering and while exercising, and store them in a dry place. The E-coating on our earrings slows down this process.
Does gold plated have value?
Gold-plated jewelry has hardly any material residual value, because the amount of gold in the plated layer is small. The value lies in the design and the sterling silver base, not in the weight of the gold. If you are looking for a piece of jewelry that retains its value, solid 14-karat gold is the better choice.
What is the difference between gold plated and gold filled?
The difference between gold plated and gold filled lies in the thickness of the gold layer and how it is applied. With gold plated, a thin layer of gold is deposited on the base, while with gold filled, a thicker layer is mechanically pressed onto the core. As a result, gold filled lasts longer, but neither is solid gold.
How long do gold-plated earrings stay beautiful?
Gold-plated earrings will remain beautiful for years if you keep them dry and store them properly after wearing. Their lifespan depends on how often you wear them and what you expose them to. Expect daily wear to cause wear and tear faster than alternating with other pairs from your earring collection .
How much do gold-plated earrings cost at Eline Rosina?
Gold-plated earrings cost between 15 and 288 euros at Eline Rosina, with most models around 39 euros. Studs are the most affordable, while statement models and sets are more expensive. If you want to fill multiple piercings at once, take a look at the earring sets .
