Types of Gold Jewelry Explained: Plated, Vermeil, Filled, & Solid Gold (2024)

There are so many types of gold jewelry available, which can be very confusing and frustrating when you’re shopping. We’ve all been there - your favorite necklace turning your neck green. At Simple & Dainty, we are committed to handcrafting jewelry that is perfect for everyday wear. We wanted to explain the differences between the types of gold jewelry available - gold plated, gold vermeil, gold filled, and solid gold.

Here's a quick summary - you can also Pin it for later!

Read on for more details, and you’ll see why we love solid gold, gold filled, & gold vermeil!

What is Gold Plated Jewelry?

Gold plated jewelry is a very light layer of gold - 0.05% actual gold or less - on top of a base metal (usually brass or copper). The thin layer of gold is plated onto the base metal to create gold plated jewelry.

Since the gold plating is very thin, the gold can rub off easily. It is also more prone to tarnishing when exposed to any kinds of liquids or chemicals. Although gold itself does not corrode, copper and brass will, especially when exposed to liquids (in the air, sweat, lotion, perfume, etc). Gold plated jewelry is much, much cheaper than the other types of gold jewelry because it uses a tiny amount of gold on top of a base metal. Gold plated jewelry is a good optionif youneed jewelry for just an occasion, or for trying out new trends.

What is Gold Vermeil?

Gold vermeil (pronounced ver-may) is2.5 microns of gold plating on top of sterling silver. US standards require there to be at least 2.5 microns of gold plated on top of sterling silver, but some other countries require less, such as Canada onlyrequiring 1.0 micron. It is hypoallergenic, so people with metal allergies can wear it safely. Gold vermeil lasts much, much longer than gold plated jewelry because the plating is so much thicker. Over years, with lots of excessive use, the gold can wear off in areas with a lot of contact.

Since the base metal of gold vermeil is sterling silver, and sterling silver can tarnish, gold vermeil can tarnish if it's left in the open and not sealed in an air tight bag. Luckily, you can easily clean off the dark spots with a polishing cloth. Gold vermeil should be treated just like a sterling silver piece.

We recommend purchasing gold vermeil products from trusted brands becausesomecompaniescan claim their productsare vermeil, buttheir products don't actually have 2.5 microns of gold. 2.5 microns converted to inches is .0001", so as you can imagine, it's quite hard to measure without proper equipment.At Simple & Dainty, we send our vermeil pieces to a reputable plating factory that has thecapability of measuring how much gold they are plating on top of the sterling silver.

What is Gold Filled?

Gold filled is a solid layer of gold mechanically bonded to a base - jeweler’s brass. US standards require thegold layerto consist of 1/20th (or 5%) of the jewelry’s total weight. Gold filled can be made with 14k or 12k gold, with 14k being more common. Sometimes there is a marking on the jewelry piece that says1/20 14K GF or 1/20 14K, but not necessarily all the time.

Gold filled jewelry has almost 100x more gold than gold plated jewelry. Since the gold is mechanically bonded to the base rather than plated, it can’t rub off, unlike gold plated jewelry. It has the same qualities as solid gold jewelry at a fraction of the cost - it's tarnish resistant and waterproof, making it great for everyday wear. Gold filled jewelry is also great for people who are allergic to metals, as the material will not cause an allergic reaction.

Gold filled has some limitations because of the way it is manufactured; it is only available inwire or sheetform, so it cannot be casted or poured into a mold.Gold filled charms are either flat (made from sheets), or hollow (two pieces ofsheet metalsoldered together). Whenever we can't make charms or rings out of gold filled, we use gold vermeil instead.

US gold filled jewelry is our material of choice; we use gold filled where ever we can because it ishigher quality than gold vermeil and gold plated, but still not as expensive as solid gold.Our favorite 100% gold filled jewelry includes:Traveler's Coin Necklace, Croissant Hoop Earrings,Everyday Hoop Earrings, Gold Solitaire Ring, Saint Christopher Necklace, and Tiny Tag Necklace.

Brazilian gold filled, which is different than US gold filled, is another type of gold filled that is very popular nowadays. Brazilian gold filled consists of 1/30th (or 3%) of 18k gold over a base metal. It has 40% less gold than US gold filled, but can still last a while with proper care.

We havefour Brazilian gold filled pieces: our Herringbone Necklace,Herringbone Bracelet, Chunky Rope Necklace, and Chunky Rope Bracelet. We try to carry US gold filled pieces as much as we can but it can get expensive, so we use Brazilian gold filled to bring the price down.

What is Solid Gold?

Solid gold is the best quality of gold there is. Just as the name suggests - the whole jewelry piece is made entirely of gold (no base metal). There are many different karats of gold, which determines the amount of gold vs alloy. Pure gold (24k) is too soft and malleable to wear in jewelry, so the gold must be alloyed with other metals to give it strength and durability. 14k solid gold means 14 parts gold (58.3%) and 10 parts alloys (41.7%), while 18k solid gold means 18 parts gold (75%) and 6 parts alloys (25%). The lower the karat, theless expensive it is because it is using less gold.

Our solid gold collection hasmany timeless pieces that are easy to cherish.We use 14k solid gold because of its durability and beautiful yellow hue - it's not too yellow like 22k gold, and not too pale like 10k gold.

Solid gold is especially tarnish resistant, hypoallergenic, and perfect for everyday. It’s the most hypoallergenic type of gold, so it’s amazing for people who have sensitive skin. Solid gold is a precious metal that will last many lifetimes and can easily become cherished heirlooms! If you are looking for a "forever" piece that you can pass down, this is the material for you.

Some of our most popular 14k solid gold pieces are our: Tiny CZ Screwback Stud Earrings, Everyday Hoop Earrings, Triple Baguette Huggie Hoop Earrings, Dainty Mariner Chain Necklace, and of course our Dainty Cable Chain Necklace.

Shop Solid Gold Necklaces | Shop Solid Gold Studs | Shop Solid Gold Earrings

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What’s the Best for Me?

The best type of gold jewelry that's suited for you depends on a number of factors, such as your budget, how often you wear your jewelry, whether you’ll be able to take good care of it, and more. If you have the budget, solid gold is the absolute best quality of gold you can get because not only will it last many lifetimes, you can also pass it down generations. If you're looking for something more affordable, you can opt forgoldfilled and goldvermeil because they'rehypoallergenic, waterproof, and greatfor everyday wear. Here’s a chart that summarizeseach type of gold jewelry.

We hope this post was educational to you and helped you understand more about the different types of gold available! Let us know if you enjoyed the post in the comments below, or if you have any questions :)

As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the field of jewelry, particularly gold jewelry, I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in crafting and differentiating various types of gold pieces. My experience extends to the technical aspects of gold plating, gold vermeil, gold filled, and solid gold, allowing me to provide insightful and accurate information to guide your choices in the realm of gold jewelry.

Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article:

Gold Plated Jewelry:

Gold plated jewelry involves a very thin layer of gold, usually 0.05% or less, plated onto a base metal like brass or copper. This type of jewelry is more susceptible to wear and tarnishing due to the thin gold layer. It is a more budget-friendly option suitable for occasional wear or trying out new trends.

Gold Vermeil:

Gold vermeil consists of 2.5 microns of gold plating on top of sterling silver. This thicker layer makes it more durable and longer-lasting compared to gold-plated jewelry. It is hypoallergenic and can be a suitable choice for daily wear. However, proper care is required to prevent tarnishing, and it's essential to purchase from trusted brands to ensure the specified gold thickness.

Gold Filled:

Gold filled jewelry involves a solid layer of gold mechanically bonded to a base metal, usually jeweler's brass. U.S. standards mandate that the gold layer should constitute 1/20th (5%) of the jewelry's total weight. It has almost 100 times more gold than gold plated jewelry, making it tarnish-resistant and waterproof. Gold filled is a cost-effective option with qualities similar to solid gold, but it has limitations in terms of available forms (wire or sheet).

Solid Gold:

Solid gold is the highest quality, with the entire piece made of gold without a base metal. Different karats, such as 14k and 18k, determine the gold-to-alloy ratio. Solid gold is durable, tarnish-resistant, and hypoallergenic, making it suitable for everyday wear. The choice of karat affects the color and cost, with higher karats containing more gold.

Choosing the Best for You:

The best type of gold jewelry depends on factors like budget, frequency of wear, and maintenance. Solid gold is ideal for longevity and heirloom quality, while gold filled and gold vermeil offer more affordable options for everyday wear, being hypoallergenic and waterproof.

In summary, this comprehensive overview equips you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions when navigating the diverse world of gold jewelry. Whether you prioritize durability, affordability, or a combination of factors, understanding the distinctions between gold plated, gold vermeil, gold filled, and solid gold empowers you to make choices aligned with your preferences and lifestyle.