You've probably seen the words 'micron plating' on a jewellery listing and assumed it meant something. Better quality, maybe. Longer lasting. Something to do with the thickness of the gold.
Well, every answer is right. But the full picture of micron plated jewellery is actually more interesting than most brands bother to explain and understanding it will drastically change how you think about your daily jewellery.
Let's break it down properly.
What Is Micron Plating, First of All?
Gold jewellery is not solid gold-plated, it’s basically just a base metal. Usually brass, copper, or silver is further coated with a layer of gold using an electroplating process. The base metal gives the piece its structure and shape. On the other hand, the gold layer gives it the colour, finish, and conductivity properties of gold.
Plating has been done for centuries. It's not a shortcut or a compromise. In fact, it's a craft that, when done properly, produces jewellery that is as beautiful as solid gold and far more accessible.
The question is always: how thick is that layer? That's where microns come in.
What Is a Micron?
A micron is one millionth of a metre, one thousandth of a millimetre. To give you a sense of scale, a human hair is roughly 70 micrometers wide.
So, we're talking about measurements that are genuinely invisible to the naked eye but make an enormous difference in how a piece ages.
Most fast-fashion jewellery uses flash plating under half a micron. It looks identical in a photograph and in a display case. It looks different after three months.
What Makes Self Love Jewels Unique
Every piece from Self Love Jewels uses thick micron gold plating, applied specifically to be anti-tarnish and suitable for all-time wear. This isn't a marketing language, it changes the practical experience of the jewellery in a few concrete ways.
It doesn't tarnish the way thin plating does
Thin plating tarnishes quickly because the gold layer wears through to the base metal underneath, which then oxidises on contact with air and moisture.
Thick plating maintains the integrity of the gold surface significantly longer, the barrier between the base metal and the outside world stays intact.
It handles daily life better
The pieces are made for all-time wear, meaning you can wear them to work, to social events, during your commute, while cooking.
The thickness of the plating means it's resilient enough for a normal day rather than needing to be treated like a museum piece.
The base metals matter as much as the plating
The other part of the equation is what's underneath. SelfLove Jewels uses brass, copper, and silver as the base metals for different pieces.
Brass, copper, and silver are all excellent conductors of electrical energy which matters in the context of healing jewellery.
Metal conducts and holds energetic frequency, every piece is energised through mantra chanting and holds frequency differently.
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Silver in particular is known for its conductivity and its resonance with lunar and electromagnetic energy.
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Copper has been used in Ayurvedic and Vedic tradition for centuries specifically because of how it interacts with the body's own electromagnetic field.
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Brass carries a grounding quality and has its own traditional use in sacred objects and temple items.
Custom Gold
For those who want the permanence of solid gold, SelfLove Jewels also takes custom orders in 14kt, 18kt, and 22kt gold. The pieces are the same, the sacred geometry, the mantra energisation, the design but in solid gold for lifetime durability.
22kt gold is the purest option and the most traditional in Indian jewellery-making. 18kt is the most durable for daily wear because the alloy content makes it harder. 14kt is the most resilient and most common in Western markets. All three are available on request.
How Thickness Relates to Energetic Integrity
Here's something that doesn't get talked about in most jewellery conversations:
Every piece from Self Love Jewels is consecrated, energised through mantra chanting (Lakshmi Sahasranaam, Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra, and Lakshmi Suktam, each chanted specific numbers of times).
Metal is a conductor, it holds and transmits that frequency. But that relationship depends on the structural integrity of the piece.
A piece with thin plating that has worn through to bare base metal in patches is no longer a complete conductor. The energetic surface is compromised in the same way the physical surface is.
Thick micron plating maintains the integrity of the conductive surface for longer. Which means the piece continues to function as it was intended to as a wearable energetic tool.
How to Care for Micron Plated Jewellery
The care routine for thick micron plated jewellery is genuinely simple:
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Remove before showering, bathing, or swimming
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Wipe with a soft, dry cotton cloth if it needs cleaning
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Store in the box or pouch it came in when you're not wearing it
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No need to cleanse it energetically
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Don't use jewellery cleaners, silver polish, abrasive cloths or other cleaning agents like baking soda
How Long Will It Actually Last?
Honestly, it depends on how you wear it and how you care for it. With the one basic habit of removing before water contact, a thick micron plated piece worn daily should maintain its finish for several years.
Note: Pieces that are worn consistently put on in the morning with intention, removed before bathing, stored properly tend to age far better than pieces worn occasionally but carelessly.
FAQs
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Is micron plating the same as gold vermeil?
Gold vermeil specifies a minimum of 2.5 microns of gold over sterling silver specifically. Micron plating is a broader term that refers to the thickness of gold applied over any base metal.
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Will the gold layer eventually wear off?
With thick micron plating and proper care (removing before water exposure, gentle cleaning with a dry cloth), that lifespan is significantly longer than fashion jewellery. For permanent wear, the custom solid gold option is available.
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Why brass and copper instead of stainless steel?
Brass and copper are traditional materials in Indian sacred metalwork for a reason. They are highly conductive metals with a long history of use in Vedic ritual objects and healing tools.
Stainless steel is durable but a poor conductor and carries no such tradition. For jewellery designed to conduct and hold mantra energy, the choice of base metal is intentional.
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Can I wear it while sleeping?
Yes. The pieces are designed for all-time wear, including during sleep. However, it is advised to remove them while showering.
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Do I need to re-energise the piece over time?
No. The mantra energisation is embedded in the metal during the consecration process.