How to spot tarnish-resistant jewelry

Every piece of fashion jewelry eventually changes color. Gold, silver and other fine metals behave differently; the plated and coated pieces most of us actually buy are a thin finish over a base metal. That isn't a scam, it's the deal. The real question is how long the finish lasts, and you can usually tell before you buy.

1. What's underneath?

The base metal matters more than the color on top.

• Stainless steel barely reacts with skin or air. When its finish eventually wears, what shows through is still clean steel, not a green-tinged metal.
• Brass and copper alloys are what most gold-tone pieces are made of. They take plating beautifully but react with sweat and water when the finish thins.

If a product page doesn't say what's underneath, ask. At Made to Adore it's always on the page, under Materials & measurements.

2. Plated, coated or "tone"?

• Gold-tone describes the color, not the process.
• Plated (electroplated) is a thin metal layer bonded electrically. How long it lasts depends heavily on thickness, which most shops never state.
• PVD-coated means a harder, denser coating bonded in a vacuum chamber, usually on stainless steel. It's typically the most hard-wearing finish at fashion prices.

In the US, words like "gold plated" and "gold filled" have legal meanings tied to the karat and thickness of the gold. That's why we say gold-tone until a supplier confirms those numbers.

3. Is there a claim, and is it backed?

"Tarnish-free", "waterproof" and "hypoallergenic" are strong claims. A shop that makes them should be able to tell you what testing backs them. We don't use those words on a piece until we have a lab report for it, and the product page FAQ says plainly when a piece hasn't been tested.

4. Where will you wear it?

The same piece lasts very differently on an earlobe and on a ring finger. Rings and bracelets meet soap, sanitiser and friction all day; earrings and necklaces mostly don't. For daily rings and bracelets, choose coated stainless steel.

5. Will you look after it?

The simplest habit adds the most life: on last, off first. Put jewelry on after lotion and perfume, and take it off before the shower, the pool and the gym. Our care guide has the rest.

The short version

If you want…	Choose
The longest-lasting everyday finish	Coated stainless steel
The warmest, brightest gold color	Gold-tone plated brass, worn with care
Something for summer and water	Nothing plated. Check for a tested "waterproof" claim, or leave it at home

Questions about a specific piece? Email hello@example.com and we'll tell you exactly what it's made of.