Gold is a jewelry metal that people from ancient times have revered to the present day. For those who love gold, mysteries are lurking in the different types of gold jewelry. In today’s jewelry industry, there are many terms, such as pure gold, filled gold, vermilion, and gold plated. Most jewelry lovers humanize that they are interchangeable, so what is the difference between them? What are the prices? Well, in short: Pure gold jewelry is the highest quality and, therefore, the most expensive. Gold-filled jewelry is relatively cheaper but still has value as a gold substitute. Finally, gold-plated jewelry is usually the most inexpensive and readily available because it looks like quality gold. You are faced with many choices when choosing your next gold jewelry, and the following reveals the meaning behind the different types of gold jewelry.
What is solid gold?
It is a jewelry made entirely of gold from the inside out, with no base metals. Pure gold is 24k, which is 100% pure gold. Although very yellow, it is too soft and malleable to be easily scratched and worn for jewelry making. Gold must be synthesized with other metals in an alloy to give it greater hardness and durability.
Carat (K) is the percentage of actual gold in a piece of jewelry. There are different carats of gold in the jewelry market, and these gold alloys are what we call “solid gold” in jewelry. The higher the ratio of pure gold to other metals, the higher the karat of gold. The most popular types of solid gold used in jewelry are 14k and 18k, such as 14k pure gold, which is 14 parts gold (58.3%) and ten parts alloy (41.7%), and 18k pure gold, which is 18 parts gold (75%) and six parts alloy (25%). They represent the percentage of gold content in the alloy.
Advantages：
The resource of gold is one of the world’s most valuable assets, and it can last a long time if adequately protected. Gold jewelry does not fade, wear out, or lose its luster as quickly as other gold-plated jewelry, and it can be melted down and reshaped, reused, and recycled to create new jewelry if you are not satisfied with the look of your current piece.
Also known as gold-filled jewelry, it consists of 2-3 layers of solid gold bonded or pressed onto other metals (such as brass, silver, or other base metals). A gold filled jewelry gold is at least 5% of the total weight of the metal that is permanently bonded. These solid gold layers can also come in different karats (10K, 14K, 18K and 24K). To be clear, gold filled is not the same as “real gold” or pure gold. The entire solid contains only a small percentage of gold and is made by bonding a layer of gold to a base metal to make it look like gold.
What is gold filled?
Also known as gold-filled jewelry, it consists of 2-3 layers of solid gold bonded or pressed onto other metals (such as brass, silver, or other base metals). A gold filled jewelry gold is at least 5% of the total weight of the metal that is permanently bonded. These solid gold layers can also come in different karats (10K, 14K, 18K and 24K). To be clear, gold filled is not the same as “real gold” or pure gold. The entire solid contains only a small percentage of gold and is made by bonding a layer of gold to a base metal to make it look like gold.
Advantages：
Gold-filled jewelry is much more durable than gold-plated jewelry, it does not lose its luster quickly, but after 20 or 30 years, you will see a slight fading of it, which is normal.
Because it is not made entirely of pure gold, but only a tiny part using gold, the cost is not as high as pure gold, so the price is lower than pure gold. The price is very affordable and cost-effective. After proper care, filled gold jewelry can even last a lifetime!
What is gold plated?
Gold plated jewelry is a very light layer of gold – 0.05% of actual gold or less, a thin layer of gold is plated on the surface metal (usually brass, copper, nickel, etc.) to create gold plated jewelry. It is the cheapest alternative to jewelry because it is very cheap and the quality is not too good. It doesn’t matter how many carats of gold plating is, because it can be easily scratched off. It doesn’t have the value of real gold.
A gold set and gold-plated necklace may look the same at first. But the use of time will reveal the truth, and if the color fades, you know it is probably plated. Gold-plated jewelry is a good choice for those consumers who don’t have a big budget or are just looking for a fashion trend in jewelry.
Gold-plated jewelry is susceptible to wear and tear compared to solid gold. It will lose its luster in about a year or less and is not waterproof. If the surface layer of gold-plated jewelry is worn down, it will reveal the green base metal, likely to stain your skin or cause allergies. So please take good care of your gold-plated jewelry, or have it re-plated.
Gold-plated jewelry is only suitable for fashion jewelry. It requires more care and maintenance because gold-plated jewelry degrades quickly when exposed to small amounts of moisture, sweat, and lotions. It also loses its luster more quickly when exposed to any liquid or chemical. Periodic re-plating can also restore your jewelry to its original condition, but this will require you to pay an additional fee.
What is gold vermeil?
Silver vermeil, also known as ” Vermeil” (pronounced ver-may), is a combination of two precious metals in which high-quality (pure silver or sterling silver) silver is plated with a thin layer of gold on a base of pure silver. Most vermillion jewelry on the market today is made by electroplating gold and silver, a chemical process that uses an electric current to bond two metals together. In the United States, this type of jewelry is also known as vermilion jewelry. Still, authentic vermilion jewelry must meet certain conditions: the gold on the gold piece must be at least 2.5 microns thick, and the gold material must be at least 10k.
Vermilion can replace jewelry that cannot be filled with gold due to how it is manufactured. Golden vermilion is more durable than gold-plated jewelry and is a profitable way for consumers to go.
Advantages：
If you think solid gold is too expensive, silver-plated jewelry is the perfect solution if you want to wear your jewelry every day and don’t want it to tarnish so quickly. It keeps its luster as easily.
Silver is also a hypoallergenic metal, so you don’t have to worry about skin irritation from silver-plated jewelry.
What type of jewelry should I choose?
There are pros and cons for all types of metals, but pure gold is the best quality metal because it is the most durable and valuable and the least irritating for those allergic to base metals. However, pure gold is more expensive than gold-plated or filled metals.
Gold-plated jewelry is a more affordable alternative but contains only a tiny amount of gold. Any friction will cause the plated gold layer to rub off, quickly leaving a dull metal flake. Most of the base metals in gold-plated jewelry can also turn your skin green or cause allergic reactions. Gold-plated jewelry is only suitable for fashion jewelry. It requires more care and maintenance as the jewelry will degrade quickly if exposed to small amounts of moisture, sweat, and lotions. There is also a greater need for periodic re-plating to restore the jewelry to its original condition, which can result in the market paying additional fees.
Gold-filled pieces are also a more affordable alternative to solid gold. Still, over time the gold layer also fades, exposing the base metal underneath and losing color that is difficult to restore.
If you are looking for the highest quality, semi-fine jewelry, a piece made with thick vermilion-plated 18k yellow gold would be a good choice. If you are okay with lower-quality base metal jewelry, gold-filled pieces may be your best option. When it comes to prolonged wearing use and long-lasting jewelry, cinnabar is best suited as a gift for a loved one, bridal jewelry, and keepsake.
The best type of gold jewelry for you depends on many factors, such as your budget, how often you wear the jewelry, whether you can take good care of it, and so on. We recommend gold-filled and gold vermillion because they are moderately priced but high quality enough for everyday wear.
