Quick Answer: Gold plated jewelry has a thin surface layer of gold or gold alloy over another metal. The FTC's Jewelry Guides say an electroplated piece can be called gold plated at not less than 10 karat and a thickness equal to 0.175 microns of fine gold, with the karat stated before the term. The Guides are the FTC's guidance. To look after plated pieces, keep them dry and away from perfume.
"Gold plated" is a common label on fashion jewelry, and it has a specific meaning in the FTC's guidance. This guide explains that meaning, how the terms for thicker gold layers differ, what to look for when you compare pieces and how to care for them. It builds on the post about fashion jewelry versus fine jewelry, and the examples come from Akitai's boho teardrop earrings, which are our own products since Akitai is the brand behind this site.
It means a surface layer of gold or gold alloy on a piece that is not gold throughout. The FTC's Jewelry Guides, in 16 CFR 23.3 (checked October 2026), describe a product that is surface-plated or coated with gold alloy, as distinct from one composed throughout of gold. They treat 24 karat as fine gold, and say a gold alloy of lower karat should have its karat stated first, as in their example "12 Karat Gold Electroplate".
The Guides are not a statute. Section 23.0 says they set out the FTC's current thinking, that they do not bind the public, and that the Commission may still take action if a claim is inconsistent with them.
The Guides give minimums for each term. The table lists the ones that matter when you shop, as the Guides state them in sections 23.3 and 23.4.
| Term | Minimum fineness | Minimum layer |
|---|---|---|
| Gold plated (electroplate) | 10 karat | 0.175 micron of fine gold |
| Heavy gold electroplate | 10 karat | 2.5 microns of fine gold |
| Vermeil (over sterling silver) | 10 karat | 2.5 microns of fine gold |
| Gold filled (mechanical) | 10 karat | 1/20 of the metal's weight |
The Guides put 0.175 micron at roughly 7 millionths of an inch, and 2.5 microns at roughly 100 millionths. Thickness is counted as the equivalent in fine gold, so the Guides note that 1 micron of 12 karat gold equals half a micron of 24 karat. They also require the plating to be of reasonable durability on all significant surfaces, and they tie that to thickness and surface coverage.
Look for a karat and a thickness. Under the Guides the karat comes before the term, so a listing that gives only "gold plated" gives you less to compare. Asking for both is a normal step when you compare plated pieces from any seller.
Akitai's earring pages describe the teardrop earrings as gold and silver plated, or in a few cases gold plated or silver plated. None of the 13 pages gives a karat or a thickness, so this guide says nothing about either, and nothing about whether any piece meets the figures above.
Because the gold is a layer on the surface, and the surface takes the wear. The Guides tie reasonable durability to thickness and coverage, and they note that different parts of a piece see different amounts of wear. They give no lifespan, and neither does this guide.
What you can control is how the piece is treated. Akitai's Warranty page offers its care guidelines to extend the life of its pieces, and the first two are to keep jewelry dry and to avoid perfume, lotion and cleaning agents.
Follow the same few habits each time. Akitai's Warranty page says to keep jewelry dry, avoid contact with perfumes, lotions and cleaning agents, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and use a pouch or soft cloth to prevent scratches in storage.
In practice that means putting jewelry on last, after hair products and perfume, and taking it off before you wash your hands, shower or clean. Store earrings so they do not knock against harder pieces. The post on earring back types covers the fish hook ear wires shown in the product photos of Akitai's teardrop earrings.
The teardrop range, according to its pages. Most say gold and silver plated, and a few say gold plated or silver plated. The gold boho teardrop earrings page describes beads and stones on a teardrop frame that is gold and silver plated, made by women artisans in Thailand. The earring collection lists the other colors.
It is jewelry with a surface layer of gold or gold alloy over another metal. The FTC's Jewelry Guides contrast it with a product composed throughout of gold.
The surface layer is gold or gold alloy, but the piece is not gold throughout. The metal underneath is something else.
No sourced figure exists. The Guides require reasonable durability and tie it to thickness and coverage, but they give no number of years. Wear and care change the result.
Per the Guides, gold filled is applied by a mechanical process and the layer must be at least 1/20 of the weight of the metal in the article. Gold plated by electroplate is set by thickness instead.
The Guides say vermeil is a sterling silver base plated with gold of at least 10 karat to a minimum equivalent of 2.5 microns of fine gold.
Akitai's Warranty page says to keep jewelry dry, so take plated pieces off before showering, swimming or washing up.
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