Jewelry plating is a procedure where a thin layer of metal is added over metal to enhance both its aesthetics and durability.

This process is crucial as it not only revitalizes the appearance of your jewelry but also acts as a protective barrier against everyday wear.

It’s a procedure that’s done periodically as part of jewelry maintenance; the original plating and every plating thereafter is subject to wear.

We can plate your jewelry with 14K and 18K yellow or rose gold and rhodium to preserve its shine and longevity.

Most jewelry plating projects can be completed within a few days. If you’re on a timeline, it’s best to get in touch with our team ahead of time so we can do our best to meet your needs.

Jewelry plating will enhance the look of your piece. It will essentially restore the outer metal that has experienced wear, resulting in a finish that looks as good as new.

While plating provides an excellent finish, it’s important to remember that it may wear over time depending on usage. The durability of the plating can be influenced by factors such as the frequency of wear, exposure to chemicals, and the care taken during cleaning and maintenance.

Like with most things, jewelry does require regular maintenance to keep it looking at its best!

We only plate fine jewelry made out of silver, gold, or platinum. We can’t plate anything made with brass, copper, steel, or base metals.

Timelines depend on the specific piece and how often you wear it.

For pieces that get worn daily, like engagement rings, typical replating timelines are every year to two years or so.

For rings that don’t receive much contact, like earrings or pendants, replating can be done every few years or if needed.

If you start noticing your piece not looking as bright as it once was, and especially if you notice its undertone creeping in, it could be time to get it replated.

One thing to keep in mind: each replating involves a thorough polish first. Polishing a piece, by nature, removes a tiny amount of metal. Over decades of regular replating, that can add up on thinner or more delicate pieces.

It’s not something to worry about in the short term, but it’s why we sometimes recommend replating only when it’s actually needed, rather than on a strict schedule.

This can be done, within limits, though.

We can plate a piece in rhodium for a white finish, or in 14K or 18K yellow or rose gold for a different color/tone.

Note, though, the plating will eventually wear away, especially in high-contact spots. If the difference in color of underlying metal vs plating is stark, the contrast will be easily noticeable.

We also are not able to plate base metals or any metal besides sterling silver, gold, and platinum.

If you want a permanent change of color, remaking the piece is the better route.

Diamonds and other durable stones can stay in place for most plating jobs. For gemstones that are porous or heat-sensitive, like pearls or opals, these stones usually need to be removed and reset afterwards.

As gem experts, we take the proper precautions and protocols to ensure that your gemstones remain completely safe during any servicing, plating, and repair.

Plating will hide minor scuffs and scratches. Note, though, that it won’t hide deep scratches or surface marks.

The plating itself is a very thin layer, and it follows the contours/scratches of whatever is underneath.

With this in mind, this is why we polish first and plate second. The polishing evens out the surface of the piece, buffing out any scratches, and the plating that comes on after it adds the finishing touch of making it shine like new.

If a piece is deeply scratched, bring it to our West Loop studio for a complimentary consultation, and we’ll tell you what polishing can take out before we replate.