We know it can be a little tricky when trying to figure out what type of gold jewelry is right for you.
We're walking you through the difference between solid gold, gold filled and gold plated jewelry.
Gold Plated
Gold plated is a thin layer of gold over a base metal, typically .05% of the entire weight of the piece or less. The base metal used in gold plated varies, but may include nickel, copper, brass, tungsten or more.
Normal wear will reveal the base metal underneath and once exposed to air, it will begin to tarnish. The base metal can also include harmful alloys which can cause irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Gold plated jewelry is the lowest cost, but it won’t last long and will need to be replaced often. If you have a piece you love, you should avoid getting it wet and store it in an airtight container when not wearing it.
Gold Filled
You know we love it… now we’ll tell you why! With 5% of the entire piece being made of gold, gold filled is at least 100x thicker than gold plated. This thick layer of gold is typically over brass and that means it is safe to most with allergies or sensitivities.
Since the piece will include more overall gold, gold filled is more expensive than gold plated. But all that gold means your jewelry is highly tarnish resistant and much more durable. It will hold up great to daily wear even with water, soaps, lotions, etc. In fact, gold filled jewelry can last many years (even decades) without showing signs of wear.
Solid Gold
As you’d expect, solid gold is gold throughout (though depending on the karat it is still mixed with other metals, which you can read more about here).
You’ll get the same benefits as gold filled but for a higher price tag. Solid gold is great for those with sensitive skin and it will not tarnish. We love solid gold for pieces that you plan to wear daily and hope to pass down to future generations.
Do you have more questions about the difference in gold jewelry? Drop your questions below in the comments!
