14k Gold Plated Jewellery – UK Market Insights

In this article we’re going to be focusing on 14k gold plated jewellery, how it’s currently trending in the UK.

06:59 08 July 2024

When it comes to gold jewellery, there are so many options to choose from. From solid gold luxury items, all the way down to gold toned jewellery, the UK market is inundated with options for consumers.

In this article we’re going to be focusing on 14k gold plated jewellery, how it’s currently trending in the UK and how wholesale 14k gold plated jewellery suppliers are adapting to the market.

Current market trends

Within the UK, gold jewellery has always been popular. As a symbol of wealth, success and opulence, elegant gold pieces have attracted consumers for years. However as we know, jewellery market trends change as often as the tide!

There are several recent exciting market trends in the UK for 14k gold plated jewellery. Leading these trends are statement pieces. Grand, eye-catching items from oversized studs to bold pendants are capturing the attention of jewellery consumers right now. This is part of a 90’s revival that the UK fashion market is going through. Designer shell-suits are now being paired with statement creole earrings for a retro on-trend look.

The market globally has also been adapting in recent years heavily towards sustainable and ethically created items. 14k gold plating greatly supports this trend by using minimal material content to create the like-for-like look of a more expensive and labour & material consuming piece. Using recycled gold for plating ensuring that the materials come from ethically credible sources helps protect buyers by ensuring they’re buying the most sustainable items possible. Sales in sustainable jewellery are trending up with no sign of stopping. As retailers, this is a trend you must adapt to, to ensure you’re capturing the market! 

Why is Sterling Silver With Gold Plating a popular choice for everyday wear?

Since the life-stalling events of COVID-19 in 2020, all consumer markets have been feeling the effect of buyers having less disposable money in their pockets. Reasons for this can be attributed to multiple factors, and therefore now more than ever retailers and wholesalers have to adapt to the priorities of their consumer: affordability.

Sterling silver gold plated pieces are a fantastic option for the discerning jewellery buyer in today’s economy. Sterling silver is a brilliant option for consumers looking to ensure the integrity of their piece, while not compromising material and aesthetic value. To take it one step further, gold plating is a great option for those of us that want ‘the look’, but not at solid gold prices! In a world where we’re pinching our pennies, this combination stands out as an affordable option for buyers.
Alongside their affordability, the durability of these items especially makes them so suitable for everyday wear. Where the jewellery on our fingers and wrists gets knocked about in everyday life, you really need items that will stand the test of time, and maintain their integrity and aesthetics throughout the fast pace of modern life. Sterling silver is 92.5% solid silver. Mixed with alloy, it is the perfect balance to ensure aesthetic quality and durability. If you were to wear pure silver, it’d bend at the slightest touch, and likewise if you wore silver with a heavy alloy input, it’d look closer to steel! Sterling silver strikes the perfect balance.

Gold plating is another remarkable example of this balance between durability and aesthetic quality. The sheen and glitter of gold is present, since the plating is a very thin layer of solid gold, however the material underneath that plating is what presents that durability.

For a more in-depth explanation of popular everyday jewellery for your business, explore an article by a leading UK authority that delves into this topic in their article "The 5 Everyday Jewellery Pieces You Must Stock In Your Shop"

Why is 14k Gold Plated Jewellery a great potential investment for businesses?

There are a number of clear reasons why gold plated jewellery makes for a credible and safe investment for businesses. First and foremost is the affordability of the pieces. Where mentioned previously that the world is still feeling the effects of recent economic pressures, this feeling is not exclusive to buyers. Small businesses across the UK are feeling the pinch and needing to ensure that they’re investing their returns wisely.

By investing in 14k gold plated jewellery, businesses are striking the balance between having to inject a significantly lower amount of capital into their investment, than if they were to go for solid gold. Seeking a lesser value in the market means that retailers can afford to buy these pieces in bulk through wholesalers.

In the lustre and opulence that gold demands, the aesthetic value of gold plated items is still being passed on to buyers. Consumers trying to get the look for a fraction of the cost are being more and more attracted to gold plating as a solution.

For retailers and consumers alike with less disposable funds than they previously did, gold plated items look to be a fantastic option for all.