The honest guide to 18K gold plated jewellery: what to expect, and how to make it last

Gold plated jewellery gets a bad reputation — often deserved, when the base metal is cheap and the coating is thin. But not all gold plating is the same, and knowing the difference changes how you buy and how you care for what you own.

18K gold plating means the plating layer is 75% pure gold — a rich, warm finish that sits visually close to solid gold jewellery. The key variable is thickness and base metal. On a weak base, even thick plating won’t hold. On 316L surgical stainless steel, the surface is non-porous and stable — the plating bonds properly and holds significantly longer than it would on brass or copper alloys.

To make your pieces last: remove jewellery before swimming or showering when possible; avoid direct contact with perfumes and harsh products; wipe down with a soft dry cloth after wear. Treat it well, and the finish holds for years — not months.

At Sefira, we’re transparent about this because we want you to know what you’re getting: accessible luxury that’s honest about its materials, and built to last longer than the price suggests.