Does Gold Plated Brass Tarnish
Yes, gold plated brass tarnishes if gold plating wears off. But there are some methods by which you can minimize its impact. In this article we’ll explore does gold plated brass tarnish, how long will it take, how to minimize it and should you buy gold plated brass.
Why Does Gold Plated Brass Tarnish
Brass is one of the most prone to tarnishing metals. It tarnishes quickly due to presence of a big percentage of copper. This copper content can be in the range of 55% to 95%.
So, why does gold plated brass tarnish? This is due to the wear and tear of top gold plating. This exposes the base metal of brass to atmospheric gases which tarnish it in some time.
How long it Takes to Tarnish
Brass tarnishes pretty quickly. It can take a few weeks to 1-2 months of regular usage to develop visible tarnishing. Note that this timer starts when gold plated wears off. But with proper care, tarnishing can be slowed down.
Factors Fastening Tarnishing
Here are factors which can make your jewelry tarnish faster.
1. Contact with Water
Water can damage your brass jewelry big times. It reacts with copper of brass and forms tarnish deposit on surface.
This timer can be even faster if you live in or near to coastal areas where there is high level of humidity.
2. Sweating and Cosmetic Items
Our sweat contains salts which can fasten tarnishing. Always try not to wear brass jewelry on a hot day when you are expected to get a lot of sweat.
Apart, cosmetic items like lotions, perfumes can also be a cause of tarnishing. Avoid excess use to these items while wearing brass jewelry. Wear your jewelry after applying these items.
3. Wear and Tear
Abrasion and friction can also be an indirect cause of tarnishing. This leads to wearing off of gold plating which will eventually expose the inner brass metal to atmospheric chemicals.
4. Uncleanliness
Not cleaning your jewelry can also be a cause of tarnishing. In case of not cleaning, deposits of dirt and chemicals get over the surface and react with it to expose the base metal. Its better to clean your jewelry with a gentle soap and warm water. Immediately clean the jewelry once cleaned with a soft cloth.
Care Tips for Gold Plated Brass Tarnish
Here are tips you can use to avoid tarnishing of gold plated brass.
1. Avoid Contact with Water
Water can damage your brass jewelry pretty quickly. Typically your jewelry comes in contact with water when swimming, hands washing, laundering clothes and tasks which involve water. Try to remove your jewelry before getting into these tasks.
2. Make Sure Gold plating does not wear off
Your gold plated brass jewelry will never tarnish unless gold plating is eroded away. So, as long as gold plating is there, you don’t have to worry about tarnishing. Make sure gold plating does not wear off.
Common causes of wearing of gold plating are scratches, falling on rough surfaces, water damage etc.
3. Re-plate Jewelry every 2 to 3 Months
If you intend to use your gold plated brass jewelry for long, its better to re-plate it from time to time. This time can vary depending on how quickly the gold layer erodes off. Generally, it is a good practice to re-plate it every 2 to 3 months if you use it regularly.
4. Safe storage
Storing your jewelry in a professional storage is a must. It can save you a lot of money in repairs and extra maintenance. Always place your jewelry in a sealed air tight container. If you live in a coastal area, its better to use anti-tarnishing strips as well.
5. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Never ever use home made chemicals like baking soda for cleaning your jewelry. There are a number of commercially designed jewelry cleaning chemicals available. Using these specific chemicals will intact your jewelry’s looks.
6. Don’t overclean your jewelry
Overcleaning of jewelry can also be a problem. Specifically if you have plated jewelry. Overcleaning or rough cleaning can cause top plating to erode away quickly.
Apart, never use rough clothes for drying purposes.
Should You Buy It?
Gold plated brass can be a problem at times. It can tarnish. But it all comes at an affordable cost, so you pay much less compared to other expensive jewelry metals like gold, platinum etc.
Its a trade-off. You get some, you lose some. If you intend to use your jewelry on daily basis, and can take proper care of it, then you must buy gold plated brass. If you can’t take care of it, then it is better to not buy it.
Other Alternatives
There are some alternatives which you can use if gold plated brass jewelry does not fit your demands.
1. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a popular metal in fashion jewelry. It comes with hypoallergenic properties which brass does not provide. Apart, it does not tarnish as well. So, if you want to buy an affordable piece of jewelry, stainless steel can be a good option.
2. Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is one of the most commonly used metal in jewelry. Its history dates back to centuries. It can also be a good buy if you want to stay classic with price in affordable range. Sterling silver does tarnish as well but not as quickly as brass.
3. Titanium
Titanium is another cool metal to wear. It is known for its light weight properties. It does not tarnish as well and is by far the best hypoallergenic metal used in jewelry. However, it is gray in color which might not be much appealing to many people. If you can compromise on looks, titanium can also be a good choice.