Is There a Real Difference Between Solid Gold, Gold-Filled, and Gold Plated Jewelry?
Without a doubt! There’s a lot more to gold jewelry than just the type and price. In the jewelry industry, we are constantly hearing terms such as solid gold, gold-filled, gold-plated and gold vermeil thrown around. To the everyday person, these terms can be very confusing, especially when comparing the prices of these different materials. It’s important to know the difference between these gold terms in order to make informed purchasing decisions. We’re going to break these terms down in this article and set the record straight.
Solid Gold: The OG Gold Standard
Gold is a precious metal that has been used in jewelry for thousands of years. It is valued for its beauty, durability, and rarity. There are several different types of gold materials used in jewelry, each with their own unique characteristics.
The most common type of gold used in jewelry is yellow gold. This is the traditional type of gold that most people think of when they think of gold jewelry. Yellow gold is made by mixing pure gold with other metals, such as copper and silver, to give it a yellow color. The purity of yellow gold is measured in karats, ranging from 10-24 karats, with 24 karat gold being the purest form.
At Hannah May, we love to use solid gold materials for most of our silk knotted gemstone necklaces. We'll continue to add more solid gold options in the near future.
14k Gold Filled: The All-Around Winner
14k gold filled material is made by bonding a thin layer of 14k gold to a base metal. The gold layer is typically at least 5% of the total weight of the piece and is applied through a mechanical process called "pressure bonding." This process ensures that the gold layer is strongly bonded to the base metal and will not flake or peel off over time.
Most of our jewelry here at Hannah May is comprised of 14k gold filled. We love working with this material. One of the main benefits of 14k gold filled material is that it is a more affordable alternative to solid 14k gold. It has the same appearance and durability as solid gold, but at a fraction of the cost. This makes it a great option for people who want the look of gold jewelry without the high price tag.
14k gold filled material is also a good choice for people with sensitive skin. Unlike gold plated jewelry, which has a thin layer of gold that can wear off over time, 14k gold filled material has a much thicker layer of gold. This means that it is less likely to cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Another benefit of 14k gold filled material is that it is easy to care for. It can be cleaned with mild soap and water, and can be polished with a jewelry polishing cloth. It does not require special care or storage like solid gold does.
14k gold filled material is suitable for a wide range of jewelry styles, from everyday wear to special occasion pieces. It is commonly used in bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings. It's a great option for people who want to invest in a piece of gold jewelry that they can wear and enjoy for a long time.
Overall, 14k gold filled material is a great alternative to solid 14k gold. It has the same appearance and durability as solid gold but is more affordable, making it a great option for people who want the look of gold jewelry without the high price tag. It is also a good choice for people with sensitive skin and easy to care for. It's suitable for wide range of jewelry styles and a great investment for long term use.
Gold Plated: Cheap but Quality is Sacrificed
Gold plated jewelry is a type of jewelry that has a thin layer of gold applied to a base metal. The gold layer is typically very thin, measuring only a few microns thick, and is applied through a process called electroplating. This process involves using electricity to deposit the gold onto the surface of the base metal.
One of the main benefits of gold plated jewelry is that it is an affordable way to get the look of gold jewelry. Since the gold layer is very thin, it is less expensive to produce than solid gold jewelry. This makes it a great option for people who want to own gold jewelry but are on a budget.
Gold plated jewelry is also a good choice for people who are looking for a temporary or fashion-forward jewelry. Gold plating can wear off over time, it's not meant to be a lifetime piece. So, it's a good option for people who want to experiment with a trend or style without committing to a more expensive piece of solid gold jewelry.
However, it's important to note that gold plated jewelry is not as durable as solid gold or gold filled jewelry. The gold plating can wear off over a fairly short amount of time, exposing the base metal underneath. This can cause the jewelry to tarnish or discolor, and can also cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. If you are interested in long lasting jewelry at a lower price point than solid gold, 14k gold filled jewelry is the best choice for you. We don't use any gold plated materials at Hannah May, as we are focused on quality jewelry that stands the test of time.
To care for gold plated jewelry, it's important to avoid exposing it to water, chemicals or lotions, as these can cause the gold plating to wear off more quickly. Cleaning gold-plated jewelry with a jewelry cleaning cloth and store it in a dry place, it will help to prolong the life of the gold plating.
