What does gold washed mean?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
Gold washed describes jewellery with an extremely thin surface coating of gold, applied by dipping the piece briefly in a gold solution or by burnishing gold onto the surface, rather than through electroplating. The result is the very thinnest gold finish possible, more delicate than even standard gold plating, and it will wear away quickly with regular use or exposure to moisture and chemicals. It is sometimes described as gold flashed and is mainly used on fashion or novelty pieces where cost is the primary concern.
Frequently asked questions
- Is gold washed the same as gold plated?
- No, gold washed is thinner than gold plated. Plating uses electrochemistry to build up a more measurable layer of gold, while gold washed is simply dipped or lightly burnished and has virtually no measurable thickness.
- How long does gold washed jewellery last?
- Very briefly with regular wear. The coating can begin to wear through within weeks of daily contact with skin, water or clothing. Gold washed pieces are best kept for occasional wear only.
- What is the difference between gold washed, gold plated and gold filled?
- They represent three different thicknesses of gold surface, from thinnest to thickest: gold washed has a trace coating, gold plated has a thin electrochemical layer, and gold filled has a thick bonded layer representing at least a twentieth of the total weight.
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