I decided not to buy gold plated, wait and save for solid gold earrings or tiny diamond studs.I didn't even know there was an Alex Monroe thread. I don't have the squirrel studs, but I would recommend not showering or directly spraying perfume onto the pieces of jewellery. Pretty much all my gold plated jewellery discolour, whether it is cheap or expensive. I have a baby bumblebee necklace.