When people shop for gold plated jewelry, they often focus on the shine — but the base metal beneath the plating also matters. At ReflA, we carefully choose from three trusted bases: sterling silver, brass, and stainless steel. Each offers unique qualities, from elegance and weight to durability and design flexibility.
In this guide, we’ll explain the character of each base metal, why we use it, and how to care for your jewelry.
Sterling Silver (925) Jewelry — Precious · Luminous · Timeless
Sterling silver jewelry has been prized for centuries as a precious metal, admired for its natural brightness and refined weight. It gives jewelry a noble presence — cool, luminous, and timeless.
When used as a base for gold plated jewelry, silver enhances the plating with depth and richness, creating pieces that feel substantial and elegant. Even in its pure silver tone, sterling silver carries a glow that never fades from style.
✨ Best for: Those who want the feel of fine jewelry with authentic preciousness.
Brass Jewelry — Warm · Sculptural · Expressive
Brass jewelry has a long legacy in design, valued for its warm golden undertone and ability to hold sculptural, intricate shapes. It is highly versatile as a base metal, making it perfect for bold statement designs.
When plated with gold, brass radiates a glow close to solid gold — luminous, rich, and full of character. Many luxury costume jewelry collections, including those from Chanel and Dior, also use brass for its expressive detail and light-catching beauty.
✨ Best for: Those who love bold, artistic, and expressive jewelry.
Stainless Steel Jewelry — Strong · Durable · Everyday
Stainless steel jewelry is celebrated for its strength, durability, and tarnish resistance. As a base, it ensures pieces can withstand daily wear — even in humid climates — while staying polished and bright.
It is also hypoallergenic, making stainless steel an excellent choice for sensitive skin. When gold plated, stainless steel retains a strong, lasting shine. In silver tone, it offers sleek, minimal style with almost no maintenance.
✨ Best for: Those who want everyday jewelry that is worry-free, long-lasting, and easy to care for.
How to Choose the Right Base Metal
Each base metal has its own strengths:
- Sterling Silver Jewelry → Precious, timeless, and refined.
- Brass Jewelry → Warm, sculptural, and expressive.
- Stainless Steel Jewelry → Strong, durable, and everyday-friendly.
ReflA chooses different bases to balance preciousness, bold design, and everyday practicality — so you can find the piece that fits your lifestyle.
✨ And no matter the base, with simple care — take pieces off for showering, keep them dry, and store them well — every ReflA jewel can stay beautiful for years.
Jewelry Care Tips
To keep your ReflA pieces glowing:
- Store in a dry pouch or box when not worn.
- Avoid contact with moisture, perfume, or lotion.
- Wipe gently with a soft cloth after use.
Proper care helps gold plated jewelry, sterling silver, brass jewelry, and stainless steel jewelry stay luminous for years.
Final Note
At ReflA, jewelry is more than metal — it is a vessel of light. Whether silver, brass, or stainless steel, each piece is chosen not just for what it is, but for how it holds the light and moves with you.
✨ Different bases, same ReflA glow.