Thread: Crap gold bracelets

Every time I buy gold costume jewelry bracelets, whether uber-cheap or "nice", it seems like I get about 3 wears out of them before they start looking shabby. After about 6-7 wears they look more nickel than gold and are unfit for performance. Am I going to have to shell out for real 24K gold bracelets??? I prefer to wear costume jewelry with my costume, but it almost seems like throwing money down the drain to keep buying bracelets over and over again because they don't look good anymore.

Could you touch them up with metallic spray paint? I've heard older dancers say this is how they used to rehab damaged coin sets in the club days. Unless you're up close, it's hard to tell the difference between painted and plated/electrobonded metal.

Originally Posted by deelight

Every time I buy gold costume jewelry bracelets, whether uber-cheap or "nice", it seems like I get about 3 wears out of them before they start looking shabby. After about 6-7 wears they look more nickel than gold and are unfit for performance. Am I going to have to shell out for real 24K gold bracelets??? I prefer to wear costume jewelry with my costume, but it almost seems like throwing money down the drain to keep buying bracelets over and over again because they don't look good anymore.

As soon as you purchase the bracelets, spray them with a clear sealant. I usually use 3 or 4 coats on anything that will be touching my skin b/c I *ruin* most metals through my skin chemistry. Hopefully that will help you as well :)

Do you do this with "good" jewelry as well? I'm scared to buy expensive jewelry and ruin it too.

You shouldn't have to worry about this with good jewelry. My skin turns green from some cheap jewelry so I invested in some expensive jewelry. Years later, the jewelry is still just as good as new.

I have to coat the inside of rings or the posts of earrings of 14K or lower gold with something or I cant wear it (usually just use clear nailpolish) - I've never done a broad surface like a bracelet though, so dont know if it would look ok (or BE ok) if the whole piece was coated. I can wear 18K with no issues, and likewise with sterling silver. Go figure.

Originally Posted by deelight

Do you do this with "good" jewelry as well? I'm scared to buy expensive jewelry and ruin it too.

I have to do it with everything that isn't made of titanium or zirconium if I want it to last. I tend not to do it on pieces that I will wear for short periods of time without sweating, but anything metal that I will be wearing for dance gets the treatment. I don't spray it on items with stones, but I use the paint on sealant for the backs of those.

For me, almost all metal (gold, silver, platinum, and nearly all of the blends) will begin to discolor within one day and start to pit and get unattractive if I wear them a long time or for regular dancing. Electroplated stuff rarely makes it through 1 or 2 shows.

Also, try to remember to wipe or rinse and jewelry that you sweat on - if your skin is like me and you destroy metal this will help it last longer. :)

Thanks for all these helpful responses!