Love is in the air in February with Valentine’s Day fast-approaching. The holiday was named in honor of St. Valentine, who was martyred for refusing to deny his Christian faith. In the 1300s in England, a poem by Geoffrey Chaucer helped link the holiday with romantic love. By the 1700s, the English were fully embracing the practice of giving romantic gifts to express affection. The tradition lives on today as a major retail holiday. Sales of candy, flowers, and, of course, jewelry skyrocket in advance of Valentine’s Day.
(Pixabay / moritz320)
If you are contemplating purchasing gold jewelry for your significant other, it’s important to educate yourself before making a purchase. You can buy solid gold jewelry, but it will be much more expensive. A more affordable option is gold-plated jewelry. Jewelry starts with a base metal that can be plated or covered with a layer of gold metal. For white gold, the base metal is covered with a mixture of yellow gold and white metal.
Be aware that the gold-plating on jewelry can wear away depending on the thickness of the plating. (The thicker the plating, the longer your jewelry will last.) You can then choose to replace the jewelry or get it re-plated.
Another thing to consider when buying gold-plated jewelry is how often it will be worn. For jewelry that is worn daily, solid gold may be the best option because the finish will not wear away over time. For items that are worn less frequently, gold-plated alternatives are a good choice.
You should also be aware of what materials are used for the base metal. A lot of people are allergic to nickel, for example. When the gold plating wears off, your skin will be exposed to the nickel and could become irritated.
There are many options for jewelry—a ring, a bracelet, a pendant, earrings, ankle bracelets, and more. If you want to delight your loved one for the holiday without breaking the bank, consider a beautiful piece of gold-plated jewelry.