Gold-plated utensils are a fantastic was to add a luxurious touch to your dining experience. While these opulent pieces can enhance the ambiance of your table setting, it's important to consider their practicality. Multiple studies confirm that gold is a non-toxic metal, making it a safe choice for cutlery. However, durability may be a concern.
The softness of gold, with a Mohs hardness of just 2.5-3, means that gold-plated utensils, often crafted from harder metals like zinc or copper and coated with a thin gold layer, can be less resistant to wear and tear compared to stainless steel, which typically has a hardness rating of around 5.5. While they exude sophistication, these utensils require careful handling to maintain their pristine appearance over time.
The relative fragility of this cutlery compared to that of other types of silverware is its major drawback in repeated use. Plated cutlery has a layer of surface gold that is only several microns thick. By comparison, a human hair is usually between 50-120 microns in thickness. Antique gold cutlery that is solid gold may present even more difficulties, as the soft quality of gold makes it likely that harm will occur. For example, the tines in forks will break with repeated use and the cutlery will sustain bending and warping damage with regular use that is difficult to repair.
Methods for cleaning gold cutlery are best chosen based on how much time and money someone wants to put into maintaining its original quality. All abrasive polishes and rough polishing cloths should be avoided, as they can strip off areas of the gold surface where fine scratches or pits may have appeared during use. Automatic dishwasher cleaning should also be avoided and only hand cleaning employed to avoid unexpected mechanical or chemical damage. Expensive ultrasonic cleaners are available using high frequency sound waves and tap water to clean delicate materials such as jewelry and this type of cutlery, with minimal surface degradation. A low-cost method would be to use a jewelry polishing cloth with a mild acidic solution of lemon juice in water, using a gentle swirling motion to polish the cutlery and rub out stains.
Modern electroplating processes have made beautiful gold cutlery available at fairly affordable costs. The real drawback to its use is in the delicate cleaning process, and the fact that the durability of gold as a soft metal makes it somewhat impractical for everyday use. Gold does not react with any acids or fruit juices found in foods, however, and is also impervious to oxidation from the air or water. When properly cared for, gold cutlery can retain its new appearance indefinitely.