Gold-plated pieces in the Alex Yuvero collection are 925 sterling silver coated in a layer of 24-karat gold — the purest form of gold, 99.9% gold by weight. The plating process is electrochemical: the silver piece is submerged in a solution containing dissolved gold and an electrical current causes gold ions to deposit on the surface, forming a consistent layer.

The result is a piece that has the colour and warmth of yellow gold with the structural properties — and the hallmarked precious metal base — of sterling silver. The gold layer is real gold. It is not yellow paint, not gold-coloured lacquer, not base metal. When you hold a gold-plated Alex Yuvero piece, the gold that gives it its colour is chemically pure gold.

Gold Plating vs. Vermeil vs. Solid Gold

The jewellery industry uses several terms for different levels of gold application. The differences are worth understanding:

• Gold-plated — a layer of gold applied over any base metal. The thickness of the layer can vary significantly. Better-quality plating uses a thicker layer and a precious metal base.
• Gold vermeil (pronounced ver-may) — a specific standard: at least 2.5 microns of gold applied over sterling silver. In the US and Canada this is a protected term with legal requirements. Alex Yuvero's gold-plated pieces meet or exceed vermeil standards.
• Gold-filled — a mechanical bonding of a thick gold layer (at least 5% of the piece's total weight) to a base metal core. More durable than plating, less precious than solid gold.
• Solid gold — the metal throughout the piece is gold alloy (18K = 75% gold, 14K = 58.3% gold). No base metal core. The most durable and most expensive option. Available on request for all Alex Yuvero pieces.

How Long Does Gold Plating Last?

The honest answer is: it depends on how you wear it and how you care for it. Gold plating wears through friction — the points that contact skin, clothing, or other surfaces most will show wear first. With proper care, a high-quality gold-plated piece worn regularly can maintain its finish for one to three years; worn occasionally and stored carefully, much longer.

To extend the life of gold-plated pieces:

• Put your jewellery on last — after perfume, creams, and cosmetics. Chemicals in these products accelerate wear.
• Remove before swimming, bathing, or exercising. Chlorine, salt water, and sweat are particularly corrosive to plating.
• Store in the provided Alex Yuvero box, in a dry environment. Contact with other metal pieces accelerates surface wear.
• Clean gently with a dry or slightly damp soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners or ultrasonic machines.

Replating

If the gold layer wears through, the piece can be replated — returned to a jeweller who will strip the worn surface and apply a fresh gold layer. This is a standard service at most jewellery workshops and returns the piece to its original appearance. Contact us at hello@alexyuvero.com if you want advice on replating an Alex Yuvero piece.

The option of replating is one of the reasons gold-plated sterling silver makes sense as a material choice: unlike a base metal piece that cannot be replated effectively, a sterling silver base can be refinished and replated indefinitely. The piece, properly maintained, can last a lifetime.