SOLID GOLD VS GOLD FILLED VS GOLD PLATED VS GOLD VERMEIL JEWELRY

SOLID GOLD VS GOLD FILLED VS GOLD PLATED VS GOLD VERMEIL JEWELRY

We  know it’s confusing out there with so many materials to choose from, so we’re here to help! Keep reading for the pros and cons of solid gold, gold filled, gold plated, and vermeil jewelry. We only offer Gold FIled Solid Gold and Sterling silver 925. for our permanent jewelry.

SOLID GOLD

“Solid gold” describes jewelry made entirely of gold or a gold alloy. What's a gold alloy? Because pure 24 karat gold is too soft for jewelry, it’s usually mixed with other materials like copper, silver, nickel, zinc, and palladium for added strength and durability. The gold carat tells you the ratio of gold to other metal alloys:

24 Karat gold: 99.9% gold

22 Karat gold: 91.7% pure gold

18 Karat gold: 75% pure gold

14 Karat gold: 58.3% pure gold

14-karat and 18-karat solid gold are the most popular choices for fine jewelry – they're the perfect balance between purity and durability. You can choose from yellow gold, rose gold, Peach Gold,and white gold. The color of gold is determined by which metal alloys it’s mixed with.

ADVANTAGES OF SOLID GOLD

Nothing beats the rich, buttery deliciousness of solid gold. As the most durable and long-lasting option, solid gold will last a lifetime (and often many lifetimes as you can see with antique jewelry).

With demi-fine jewelry options like gold filled, gold plated, or vermeil, you need to limit your wear-time and be very careful to avoid damage and tarnishing.

Solid gold on the other hand, can be worn every day without worry of tarnishing or fading. Solid gold will always stay gold, whereas the gold plating will eventually wear off of gold plated, vermeil, and gold filled jewelry.

Solid gold is the most valuable option – it retains its value very well over time. If solid gold does get scratched or dull, it can be easily polished to restore its original shine.

Solid gold can also be infinitely recycled, making it the most sustainable gold choice. Gold-plated, gold filled, and vermeil on the other hand, simply wear away with time and become waste.

If you’re buying an engagement ring, wedding band, or treat-yourself ring that you plan to wear often and want to keep for a long time, opt for solid gold.

DISADVANTAGES OF SOLID GOLD

The only real disadvantage of solid gold is the cost - it's the most expensive of these options. While it's the most costly, it will also last the longest and retain its value the best. And if we're talking cost-per-wear, solid gold wins by a mile!

WHAT IS GOLD FILLED JEWELRY?

Gold filled jewelry is made by bonding a layer of gold onto a base metal (usually brass) core. To be considered ‘gold filled’, the gold layer must be at least 5% of the total metal content. Most gold filled jewelry is made with 12 karat or 14 karat gold.

Because this process uses specialized machinery, gold filled jewelry is usually mass-produced as independent jewelers don’t have access to the machinery.

ADVANTAGES OF GOLD FILLED JEWELRY

Compared to gold plated or vermeil, gold filled has the thickest layer of gold, meaning it will last longer before tarnishing, fading, and wearing down to the base metal underneath the gold.

Gold filled jewelry is less expensive than solid gold, so if you’re on a budget and don’t need your jewelry to last a lifetime, this can be a good option.

DISADVANTAGES OF GOLD FILLED JEWELRY

While it’s more durable than vermeil or gold plated jewelry, gold filled jewelry is still only 1/20th gold and it will eventually wear off over time. Gold filled jewelry also can’t be polished or restored like solid gold can – once it fades or wears through, that's what you’re stuck with.

Avoid water, sweat, lotions, chemicals, and any contact with other surfaces to keep the gold layer intact for as long as possible.

If you’re allergic to base metals, you may want to avoid gold fill since it will eventually wear down to its base metal core.

Unlike solid gold, gold filled jewelry won’t hold its value, so while it’s less expensive to begin with, it will eventually deteriorate to its brass core and become waste - not a win in the sustainability department.

GOLD FILLED VS GOLD PLATED

Both gold filled and gold plated jewelry are made by applying a thin layer of gold over a base metal. Gold filled jewelry is more standardized and must contain at least 5% gold, whereas gold plated jewelry can contain any amount of gold (usually the absolute thinnest layer possible).

While gold filled jewelry has a thicker layer of gold on the outside, it is still a microscopically thin layer.

DOES GOLD FILLED JEWELRY TURN GREEN?

Gold filled jewelry can turn your skin green - this is a result of chemical reactions between the materials in your gold filled jewelry, your skin, sweat, and any chemicals or products you're applying to your skin.

DOES GOLD FILLED JEWELRY TARNISH?

Yes, gold filled jewelry will absolutely tarnish over time, and the process will accelerate when worn daily. Because it is simply a thin layer of gold over base metals, eventually the gold layer will wear off to the base metal layer underneath.

HOW LONG WILL GOLD FILLED JEWELRY LAST?

Gold filled jewelry can last for years, however it all depends on how it's cared for. Showering, lotions, chemicals, swimming, heavy activity, and sweat will all cause the gold layer to wear off more quickly. It also depends on the type of jewelry - rings and bracelets tend to wear down more quickly with the constant activity, whereas necklaces, pendants, and earrings usually hold up longer depending on how often they're worn.

IS GOLD FILLED OR SOLID GOLD BETTER?

Solid gold is a higher quality, more durable, longer lasting (as in forever), more valuable, and more sustainable option than gold filled. Solid gold will never tarnish and can be infinitely recycled to make other pieces of jewelry if you tire of the first one. Gold filled on the other hand, will eventually wear down to the base metal underneath the thin layer of gold and will need to be discarded. The one advantage of gold filled jewelry: it costs significantly less than solid gold.  

IS GOLD FILLED JEWELRY WORTH ANYTHING?

Because gold filled jewelry only has a thin layer of gold that will eventually wear off, it doesn't cost as much and doesn't retain much value after purchase. It's worth about 5% of solid gold's value.