Chanel is a luxury fashion house that was founded by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in 1909. The brand has been known for its exquisite designs, quality craftsmanship, and iconic logos.
One of the most popular materials used by Chanel is gold plating. Gold plated jewelry and accessories have been a staple of the brand for many years. However, there has been some confusion around when Chanel changed their gold plating process.
What is Gold Plating?
Gold plating is a process where a thin layer of gold is deposited onto the surface of another metal, usually brass or copper. This process is often used in jewelry making to create a more affordable alternative to solid gold pieces.
Chanel’s Gold Plating Process
Chanel has been using gold plating in their jewelry and accessories since the beginning of the brand. However, over time, they have made changes to their plating process to improve the quality and durability of their products.
One of the most significant changes Chanel made to their gold plating process was in the early 2000s. Before this change, Chanel used a 24k gold plating process, which resulted in a bright yellow finish that would easily tarnish over time.
In response to customer complaints about tarnishing, Chanel changed its gold plating process to use an alloy that was less prone to tarnishing. This change resulted in a slightly darker finish that was more durable and resistant to tarnishing.
How Can You Tell When Your Chanel Jewelry Was Made?
If you are trying to determine when your Chanel jewelry was made and what type of gold plating it has, there are several things you can look for.
Firstly, newer pieces will have a stamp indicating the year they were made. This stamp will be located on the back of the piece and will include two letters followed by four numbers (for example, AB1234).
The first letter indicates the season (A for Spring/Summer and B for Fall/Winter), and the second letter indicates the year (A for 1997, B for 1998, etc. ).
Additionally, newer pieces will have a slightly darker gold finish due to the change in Chanel’s gold plating process. Older pieces will have a bright yellow finish that is more prone to tarnishing.
Conclusion
Chanel’s gold plating process has undergone several changes over the years to improve the quality and durability of their products. The most significant change occurred in the early 2000s when Chanel switched to an alloy that was less prone to tarnishing.
If you are trying to determine when your Chanel jewelry was made and what type of gold plating it has, look for a stamp on the back of the piece indicating the year it was made. Additionally, newer pieces will have a slightly darker gold finish than older pieces.
With this knowledge, you can better understand your Chanel jewelry and appreciate its quality and craftsmanship.