Plated brass jewelry is popular for its affordable price point and ability to imitate pricier metals like gold. However, brass is prone to tarnishing and wear over time. This leads many jewelry wearers to wonder – does plated brass jewelry tarnish in cold weather?
The short answer is that cold temperatures alone do not directly cause plated brass to tarnish. However, moisture and improper storage are contributing factors that can lead to discoloration and wear. With proper care and maintenance, quality plated brass can maintain its shine even when exposed to winter weather.
How Plated Brass Jewelry is Made
Before diving into how it holds up in chilly conditions, it helps to understand exactly what plated brass jewelry is and how it’s constructed.
Brass is an alloy metal composed mainly of copper and zinc. It has a distinct golden tone that looks similar to gold. But unlike solid gold jewelry, brass is relatively inexpensive.
To create plated brass jewelry, a layer of gold or other precious metal is bonded to the brass core through a process called electroplating. This outer plating is many times thinner than a solid gold piece.
Plating allows for the desirable gold shine and appeal of precious metals, while minimizing costs compared to solid gold, vermeil, or sterling silver jewelry.
When shopping for plated brass jewelry, higher-quality pieces typically have a thicker plating layer, often described in terms of microns. More expensive “heavy gold plated” items may have up to 7-10 microns of gold plating over brass.
Lower priced plated brass jewelry typically has a thinner 1-2 micron gold plating layer. This thinner plating is more prone to wearing off over time.
Does Cold Temperature Impact Plated Brass Jewelry?
So how does winter weather affect plated brass jewelry? Freezing temperatures themselves do not directly damage or tarnish plated brass.
However, some indirect effects of cold conditions can lead to damage if proper care isn’t taken.
Metal Contracting
As temperatures drop, metals will contract and shrink slightly in size. This effect is more pronounced in solid metals like sterling silver versus plated brass jewelry.
Due to the thin layer of plating, the impact of metal shrinking in cold is negligible for plated brass. But temperature shifts can potentially lead to the plating lifting up slightly along edges or joints.
Increased Moisture
Cold winter weather often comes with increased moisture in the air. Exposure to water is one of the worst culprits when it comes to tarnishing and wear of plated brass jewelry.
Increased humidity in the air raises the risk of condensation forming on the surface of jewelry when going back indoors. Salts and acids from sweat can also accelerate tarnishing in humid conditions.
Avoid exposing plated brass jewelry to moisture. Take items off before showering, swimming or washing hands. Thoroughly dry pieces after exposure to water.
Improper Storage
How and where you store plated brass jewelry makes a major difference in its lifespan and appearance over time. Keeping items in a cold environment like a shed or garage leaves them susceptible to condensation and humidity.
Instead, properly store plated brass pieces inside at room temperature when not being worn. Use tarnish-resistant storage bags, organizer trays, or lined jewelry boxes. This protects the surfaces from elements that can cause scratches or wear down the plating.
Maintaining Plated Brass Jewelry in Cold Weather
While cold itself does not damage plated brass, you’ll want to take some additional steps to keep items damage-free and looking their best during frigid weather. Here are some tips for maintaining your jewelry all winter long:
- Clean regularly – Regular gentle cleaning is important year-round, but especially during winter when jewelry is prone to more moisture exposure. Use a soft polishing cloth or jewelry cleaning solution to remove dirt, sweat, and lotions that can break down plating over time.
- Avoid harsh chemicals – Steer clear of cleaning plated items with chemical-laden solutions, soaps with fragrances/dyes, and anything abrasive. These can strip away delicate plating.
- Limit exposure to water – Take extra care to limit exposure to sinks, showers, pools, and ocean water which contain salts and chemicals that can damage plated surfaces. Thoroughly dry pieces after hand washing or baths.
- Store properly indoors – Keep plated brass jewelry stored in a dry, room temperature environment indoors when not being worn. Use lined boxes, pouches, or anti-tarnish strips for added protection.
- Remove before physical activities – Take off plated brass rings, bracelets, and necklaces before partaking in vigorous physical activity, exercise, gardening, or cleaning. This prevents damage from impacts or chemicals.
- Avoid temperature extremes – Prevent plated items from undergoing temperature shocks by transitioning between cold outdoor air and warm indoor heat gradually. Temperature swings can potentially impact plating adhesion.
Higher Quality Plating Resists Tarnishing
As mentioned earlier, the durability and lifespan of plated brass jewelry comes down to the quality and thickness of the plating. Higher karat gold plating and thicker plating layers lead to longer-lasting shine and value.
Here’s a quick comparison of plating quality levels:
Low Quality Plating
- 1-2 microns thickness
- Lower karat gold (6k-10k)
- Nickel or silver plating
- Prone to wear, tarnishing, discoloration
- Significantly lower cost
Medium Quality Plating
- 2-5 microns thickness
- 10k-18k gold plating
- Increased durability and shine
- Resists some tarnishing
- Modest cost
High Quality Plating
- Up to 10 microns thickness
- 18k-24k gold plating
- Most durable, longest-lasting shine
- Minimal tarnishing over time
- Highest cost of plated brass
No matter the quality, plated brass requires more care and upkeep than solid gold. But pieces with high quality plating applied by skilled jewelers can mimic the look of fine metals for years before needing to be re-plated.
Simple Tips for Protecting Plated Brass Jewelry
While no plated jewelry will last forever, you can maximize the lifespan of plated brass with consistent care and by avoiding potential damage. Here are some key tips for keeping your plated brass looking its best:
- Handle gently and avoid friction against abrasive surfaces
- Never wear plated brass jewelry in chlorinated pools or hot tubs
- Use polishing cloths designed specifically for plated metals
- When storing, keep pieces separate, not touching to prevent scratching
- Take plated brass jewelry off before applying lotions, perfumes or hair products
- Clean with mild soap and water only – no harsh chemicals
- Dry thoroughly after getting pieces wet
- Store in a dry, cool place away from humidity
Is Plated Brass Jewelry Durable Enough for Winter Wear?
Plated brass gets a bad rap as being flimsy or not suitable for regular wear. In reality, quality plated brass can hold up remarkably well over time. Even through cold winters.
The key is inspecting pieces carefully before purchase and providing proper ongoing care. Well-made plated brass with substantial plating thickness can even be passed down for generations before needing re-plated.
Of course, plated brass is never as inherently durable as solid gold, silver, or platinum jewelry. But it offers an affordable alternative to fine metals while still offering a precious look and feel.
With a quality plated brass piece and some simple maintenance, you can confidently wear and enjoy your jewelry all winter long without tarnishing or damage. Just be sure to limit exposure to water, chemicals, friction, and other sources of wear and tear. And take care to store the jewelry properly when not being worn.
If you notice your plated brass jewelry tarnishing or wearing unevenly over time, a professional polishing or re-plating can restore its original shine and appeal. With ongoing care, quality plated brass jewelry can offer beauty and style for many years of chilly weather ahead.
References:
- The Jewelry Judge. “Does Brass Tarnish?” https://www.thejewelryjudge.net/care-and-cleaning/metals/does-brass-tarnish/
- Monroe, Caitlyn. “How to Care for Plated Brass Jewelry” The Spruce Crafts, 2022. https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/caring-for-plated-brass-jewelry-2030169
- The Natural Sapphire Company. “How to Care for Plated Jewelry” https://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/education/how-to-care-for-plated-jewelry
- Riddle, Artemer. “How Long Does Plated Brass Last?” CRJ, 2021. https://www.callagold.com/how-long-does-plated-brass-last/
- Baker, Holly. “Will My Plated Necklace Tarnish?” Alaska Mint, 2021. https://alaskamint.com/will-my-plated-necklace-tarnish/
