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What is 18K gold plated jewelry?

Update Time:2026/1/26
18K gold plated jewelry is a type of jewelry where a thin layer of 18-karat gold (75% pure gold mixed with 25% other metals) is electroplated onto a base metal (such as brass, copper, stainless steel, or zinc alloy) to create the luxurious appearance of solid gold at a fraction of the cost. As a jewelry supplier with over 16 years of experience in the jewelry industry, Hengdian Jewelry has mature experience in jewelry research and development, production, and sales. The material selection adheres to high standards, and the core adopts 18K gold plating (with a coating thickness of 0.1-0.3 μ m, strong adhesion, not easy to fade, and can maintain the display cabinet for 1-2 years without fading).

Here are some FAQs: 

A1: What Are the Core Structure & Composition of 18K gold plated jewelry?

Component
Description
Base Metal
The foundation of the jewelry piece, providing structure and strength. Common choices: brass (most popular), copper, stainless steel, zinc alloy, or sometimes sterling silver.
Gold Layer
A thin coating of 18K gold (75% pure gold + 25% alloy metals like copper, silver, or palladium for durability and color consistency).
Plating Thickness
Typically ranges from 0.01 to 2.5 microns (standard plating is usually 0.175-0.5 microns). Higher-quality plating may be 5-6 microns thick.

Q2: What Are the Manufacturing Process of 18K gold plated jewelry? 

Electroplating. The base metal is thoroughly cleaned and prepared to ensure proper adhesion. It is immersed in an electrolytic bath containing dissolved gold salts and other chemicals. An electric current is applied, causing gold ions to deposit onto the base metal surface. The result is a thin, uniform layer of 18K gold bonded to the base metal.

Q3: What are the types of 18K gold-plated jewelry?

18K gold-plated jewelry covers earrings, necklaces, ringsbracelets/bangles, and jewelry sets. Hengdian Jewelry focuses on the core track of fashion jewelry, with its main products covering a full range of categories. It currently has over 40000 SKUs in stock and updates 500+new products every month.

Q4: What are the key differences from other gold jewelry types?

Type
Definition
Gold Content
Durability
Price Range
18K Gold Plated
Thin gold layer on 
base metal
Very low (microscopic)
Lowest
Most affordable
Gold Vermeil
Thick gold layer 
(≥2.5 microns) 
on sterling silver base
Higher than plated
Moderate
Mid-range
Gold Filled
Thick gold layer 
(≥5% of total weight) 
bonded to base metal
Significant High
High
Mid-to-high
Solid 18K Gold
Entire piece made of 
18K gold alloy
75% pure gold
Highest
Most expensive

Q5: What are the advantages of 18K gold plated jewelry?

First, affordable luxury: looks identical to solid 18k gold but costs a fraction of the price. Second, versatility: available in various styles, colors (yellow, white, rose gold), and designs. Third, lightweight: generally lighter than solid gold pieces. Fourth, ideal for fashion: perfect for trendy, seasonal pieces without a significant investment. Fifth, hypoallergenic options: when plated over stainless steel or sterling silver, can be suitable for sensitive skin. For businesses in need of bulk wholesale orders or custom branded solutions, Hengdian Jewelry is always ready to provide professional support.

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We have a lot of advantages!! First of all, we have large number of designs and stocks. Could meet all the different needs! Beside that, our jewelry are all in affordable price with great quality. Which make us enjoy a good reputation over this market. The most important thing is we close up the fashion! Each month produce over 500 newest designs.

We are committed to producing cost-effective products with a rich variety of product elements.

Email:Henrylee@gzhd-jewelry.com

Phone:86-13411058700

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Send Your Enquiry To The Supplier

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Upload
  • Only supports .rar/.zip/.jpg/.png/.gif/.doc/.xls/.pdf, maximum 20MB.