Gold-colored stainless steel versus gold-plated. Which is actually better?

Are you unsure between two beautiful gold-colored jewelry pieces, but don't know which one is best suited to withstand water and daily use?

In short:

• Gold plated is a thin layer of gold on a cheap metal (such as copper or brass). This layer wears off quickly.
• Gold-colored stainless steel is a piece of jewelry with a strong steel base. The color is set deeper and is therefore much stronger and waterproof .

If you're looking for a piece of jewelry that you can wear every day for years without worry, stainless steel wins.

1. What is Gold Plated?

Many affordable jewelry pieces are called "Gold Plated." This means that a base of another, inexpensive metal—often brass or copper—is briefly immersed in a bath of liquid gold.

The disadvantage of Gold Plated:

• It's a thin layer: The gold color is only a very thin layer.
• Wears out quickly: This layer wears off due to friction (for example against clothing) or through contact with sweat, perfume and water.
• Discoloration: When the layer wears away, the metal beneath is exposed. This metal can leave a green or brown tinge on the skin.

2. What is Gold Stainless Steel?

At Aramat Jewels, we use stainless steel. This is an incredibly strong base material.

The advantage of gold-colored stainless steel:

• Strong Foundation: The foundation is already incredibly strong steel. This is stronger than gold and even stronger than silver.
• Waterproof: Stainless steel is highly water-resistant. You can shower, swim, or exercise with it without worry. The jewelry won't rust or corrode.
• Hypoallergenic: Our stainless steel is made of surgical steel (316L) and is very skin-friendly. You'll almost never experience irritation, unlike the lesser-known base metals used in gold-plated jewelry.

Comparison Table: Stainless Steel is the Winner in Sustainability

Characteristic	Gold Plated	Gold-colored stainless steel
Discoloration	Yes, through wear and contact with perfume	No, it is resistant to water and sweat
Courage	Vulnerable to dents and scratches	Very strong and will last for years
Water resistant	No, water attacks the thin layer	Yes, 100% waterproof
Skin-friendly	Depending on the base metal (often not)	Very skin-friendly (Hypoallergenic)
Maintenance	Regular cleaning and polishing required	Almost no maintenance required

Tip 3: Cleaning Your Jewelry (To Keep It Beautiful)

Another major advantage of stainless steel is that it requires almost no maintenance. You don't need to buy special polishing cloths, unlike with silver.

How to clean stainless steel or gold plated jewelry:

1. Take a bowl of lukewarm water and add a few drops of liquid dish soap.
2. Soak your jewelry (whether it is stainless steel or gold plated) in the soapy water for a while.
3. Use a soft toothbrush to gently brush away dirt.
4. Rinse the jewelry with clean water and dry it with a soft cloth.

Keep in mind: Although stainless steel is easy to clean, it is much less likely to get dirty than other metals.

Conclusion

The choice is clear: if you're looking for the **best combination of affordability, skin safety, and long-lasting quality**, choose Gold-tone Stainless Steel . You'll be investing in a piece of jewelry that you'll truly never have to worry about again.