Behind Our Jewelry: What's the difference between Gold, Gold-filled, and Gold-plated

Flat Top Gold-Filled Ring

 

We pride ourselves on the quality of our jewelry and the time that it takes for us to decide if a piece makes the cut to join the line up. We're lucky that we've found a vendor that we love that provides the quality and type of pieces we know that you all love. 

Our jewelry caters to the woman who wants to add the last finishing touches to her overall look by layering her favorite pieces whether that be with our rings, bracelets or necklaces. Our earrings are perfect on their own, but can be layered as well if you have multiple holes. Listen, we've thought about you and the many ways that you may want to enjoy your pieces. You're welcome. :)

Beyond the look of our jewelry, the quality is also what makes our pieces stand out. Our jewelry is either gold-filled or gold-plated. Now, you might be wondering, "Well, what is the difference between those?" or "Why would I choose these options instead of just buying gold pieces?" Well, gold plated or gold filled jewelry are great options for when you’re looking for an accessory that looks great, but doesn’t break the bank or when you want various designs and styles. The range of pieces that you can get with gold filled or gold plated jewelry feels pretty limitless.

 

Now, let's get into why you're probably here. What are the differences between gold, gold-filled and gold-plated jewelry?

 

Gold

As you probably know, gold is a very soft metal that is shiny, scratches easily, and is very malleable. With gold being so soft, it is rarely used in its pure form because it would constantly lose its shape. Most jewelry is made from a gold alloy that is a combination of another metal, usually silver, copper, or tin. This is where the karat system comes in to let you know the gold content in jewelry with 24K gold being the highest standard in the karat system and indicating pure gold.
Here are the percentages of gold in the common karats that represent jewelry typically found in the U.S.:
18K = 75% Pure Gold
12K = 50% Pure Gold

 

The Bar Ring

 

Gold-plated

Gold-plated jewelry is created by the process of adding a thin layer of solid gold on the surface of another metal, usually copper or silver.

 

Flat Top Gold-Filled Ring

 

Gold-filled

Gold-filled jewelry is created by pressure bonding a layer of gold to another metal with a layer that is thicker than gold plating. This option is a level up from gold-plated in that it has the same desirable properties and look of solid gold. It won’t tarnish or turn colors. This is a great option for those that are sensitive to certain metals and have allergic reactions.

 

Caring for your gold-plated or gold-filled jewelry:

  1. Do not get chemicals on your gold-plated or gold-filled jewelry as it may react with it and cause it to tarnish easily. This includes perfume, lotion, oils, and common household cleaning products.
  2. Remove your gold-plated or gold-filled jewelry when you are showering, bathing, or going for a swim or will be sweating excessively.
  3. Clean your pieces often with a soft cloth or cotton ball. This will remove dirt and help restore its shine. If you need to give your pieces a deep clean, use mild soapy warm water, soak for a couple of minutes and dry with a soft cloth or a cotton ball.
  4. Store your pieces in a jewelry box and separate from your other pieces.

Back to blog

Leave a comment