Gold Plated Brass Jewelry Wholesale
Gold Plated Brass Jewelry Wholesale
Gold plated brass jewelry has a wide appeal that attracts customers for several reasons. It is cheaper than solid gold pieces and looks quite similar.
The raw materials used to create this type of jewelry require massive amounts of energy to acquire. From the initial extraction of the base metals to the distribution, the entire life cycle has devastating impacts on the environment.
Economical Value
Gold plated brass jewelry is a popular accessory that is used by consumers to achieve an expensive look for a much lower price. This type of jewelry is made by a lost-wax casting process and then plated with a thin layer of gold. It can also be crafted with other metals including copper and the cheaper alternative, beta-brass. Regardless of the material, the production of these accessories requires significant amounts of energy and harmful emissions. This embodied energy is a result of the product’s life cycle and all its associated activities from raw materials acquisition to distribution.
The underlying brass is often contaminated with chemicals that are not biodegradable, resulting in waste water pollution. In addition, the cyanide bath that is used in gold plating can be very toxic to employees working with it. The embodied energy of these products is further increased by the use of fossil fuels to power the machinery and plant operations. Additionally, metabolic energy from the factory workers is used to polish and operate the machines, resulting in more waste.
After the jewelry is finished, it must be cleaned and packaged in order to reach consumers around the world. This is done by putting it in plastic wrappers and cardboard boxes. These packaging items must then be shipped to different locations, which is a process that generates a lot of waste. In fact, shipping globally produces more carbon dioxide per ton than air travel.
Easy Accessibility
Gold-plated brass jewelry wholesale is available at a low cost and it makes for a great accessory for any fashionista. However, these pieces do have a short lifespan and often tarnish quickly resulting in a pesky green tint that rubs off onto any skin it touches. This inevitably leads to the pieces being tossed out after a few weeks of wear, providing sizeable waste in landfills.
While the process of plating brass with gold is a relatively green process, there are many other environmental concerns that must be addressed when it comes to manufacturing and selling this kind of jewelry. For starters, the metals used to create this jewelry must be mined and then sent to the factory for processing. In order to make these products, factories must acquire raw materials like alpha and beta brass, potassium gold cyanide, microcrystalline wax, and more.
During this manufacturing stage, factories must invest significant gold plated brass jewelry wholesale amounts of energy and resources into turning these raw materials into finished jewelry. Additionally, these jewelry items must then be shipped to consumers around the world. This shipping process entails the use of fuel and generates significant carbon emissions.
To top it all off, brass is a copper alloy and can be toxic to some individuals with skin sensitivities. This is why it is critical for consumers to take the proper precautions and to keep their gold-plated brass jewelry away from any harsh chemicals, abrasive cleansers, acidic foods, and sweat, as these can cause the gold layer to flake off exposing the base custom jewelry manufacturers for small businesses metal, which will then oxidize and corrode (Corti). This will ultimately lead to the products being discarded and creating even more waste in our landfills.
Wide Range of Options
Gold plated brass jewelry is cheap and easy to purchase, making it a popular choice for consumers who want to stay on trend without breaking the bank. However, this fashion staple has a short lifespan and doesn’t offer any long term maintenance solutions, which eventually leads to these accessories becoming pesky rust-covered clutter in closets or worse, trash in landfills.
The linear life cycle of gold plated brass jewelry begins with the mining and acquisition of its raw materials. These metals include the base metal of copper and zinc, which are used to create beta-brass and the alpha-beta brass upon which the gold is later plated. Once these raw materials make it to the factory, they are molded into jewelry shapes using silicone and microcrystalline wax. This process requires a significant amount of energy that is supplied by the fossil fuels gasoline and oil.
After the molds are formed, the jewelry is dipped in alpha-beta brass and potassium gold cyanide to prepare it for plating. This process is extremely hazardous to the environment as it releases toxic chemicals into the water supply including cyanide and heavy metals. The jewelry is then sprayed with gold flakes to add the shiny appearance that consumers enjoy. The final step of the jewelry’s life cycle involves shipping and distribution, which uses more fossil fuels with a freighter requiring 225 tons of petroleum-based fuel per day (Jean Paul Rodrigue). This process also produces large amounts of waste plastic wrappers and cardboard boxes.
Create Your Own Brand Name
Whether you’re an established jewelry designer or a fledgling startup, your brand name is an essential part of your identity and reputation. Your brand name can help customers identify your products, drive loyalty, and grow your business.
You can build a strong brand name by using market research to understand consumer trends, competitor strengths and weaknesses, and other factors that will influence your success. Research methods include surveys, interviews, social media mining, and other data analytics. By understanding your audience, you can design pieces that resonate deeply with them, forging a connection and fostering brand loyalty.
Once you have identified a winning niche, the next step is to establish your brand image and identity. This includes designing a website that is visually appealing and user-friendly. A high-quality online store will boost your sales and provide a seamless shopping experience for your customers. In addition, you must have an efficient order management system and a reliable payment gateway to manage your transaction details.
Gold plated brass jewelry is an everyday fashion staple that often ends up sitting and rusting in many people’s closets. By incorporating gold plated brass into your designs, you can create a jewelry line that captures the attention of consumers and grows into a successful fashion business. Choosing a professional eCommerce platform like PrintBase, will allow you to launch your online store quickly and easily.