The kind of gold plating also plays a role in how long or where you should wear your jewelry. Ideally, you'd want the plating to be a thicker layer to preserve the longevity of your jewelry, Okubo said. For example, gold-vermeil jewelry has a solid sterling silver with a thick layer of 14k gold. While nickel can help stabilize gold to make it last longer, many wearers are allergic to the metal, so Maison Miru applies a thick layer of 14k gold to help their pieces last longer.
Even the type of gold can determine how long it may last. For example, 14k gold tends to be harder and less malleable than 18k or 22k gold, Okubo said.
"Gold is a super-soft metal, and the more pure it is (the higher the karat number), the softer it is," she said. "I chose 14k gold as a good balance between beauty and durability."
