When it comes to jewelry, you'll hear terms like solid gold, gold-filled, and gold-plated used in the industry. To the ordinary person, this just sounds like different words for the same thing. All you’re looking for is some beautiful jewelry to complete your look. Despite the similar sound, all three of these types of gold jewelry have a stark difference. How does gold compare with gold-filled, and how does gold-filled compare to gold-plated? Solid gold is what it sounds like - pure, solid gold. So, for this blog, we'll pit gold-filled against gold-plated and see what’s best.

Gold-Filled vs. Gold-Plated

Gold is one of the finest metals and is incredibly popular in jewelry designs. If you're planning to buy gold jewelry, it's crucial you know the difference between the different types of gold.

As mentioned before, solid gold is 100% gold. It is the most expensive and most valuable gold jewelry on the market. However, solid gold is also a soft metal. While it doesn't tarnish, it may scratch easily. For long-lasting and affordable gold jewelry, most are more interested in checking out the alternatives.

Know the Difference Between Karats

Gold alloys are measured in units called "karats." If you were to buy a gold ring that has 24 karats, it means that it is 100% pure gold. To understand how much gold is in a piece of jewelry, you'll have to do a bit of math.

If you have a 10-karat piece of jewelry, you'll divide 10 by 24. So, the jewelry is 41.7% pure. The general rule here is that the value of gold is proportional to its purity. The purer the gold, the higher its value.

But just because pure gold is more valuable doesn't mean you should always aim for a high purity level when purchasing gold jewelry. Pure gold is soft and easily damaged. For long-lasting jewelry you can wear every day, go for lower-karat pieces. These include 10, 12, and 14-karats. Low-karat pieces are mixed with other metal alloys to increase strength.

Which Karat for Which Piece?

Rings and bracelets are usually exposed to hard surfaces, especially if you wear them to work. You might find yourself clinking your bracelets against your desk twenty times a day. This friction can scratch pure gold. For rings and bracelets, 10 and 12-karat pieces are excellent choices.

Necklaces and earrings are usually safe from hard knocks or bumps. Unless you are an incredibly clumsy person, 14-18-karat pieces are suitable.

So, what about high-karat pieces, especially 24-karat gold pieces? These valuable pieces are best for special occasions or ceremonial events. For a wedding band or some really special wedding jewelry you’d like to hand down for multiple generations, 24-karat gold is a great choice.

Related: Yellow Gold Bar Necklace Designs are a Simple Statement Piece That can be Worn Every Day

Karat Marks

Most gold jewelry has unique markings in inconspicuous parts of the item, like the inner circle of a ring. The markings will indicate either the karat or the percentage of purity.

10-karat (10K) = 41.70%

14-karat (14K) = 58.30%

18-karat (18K) = 75.00%

24-karat (24K) = 99.99%

Additionally, there may be a hallmark that indicates the gold quality of the piece. A marking may indicate the type of alloy used, such as GF for gold-filled or GP for gold-plated. One may also be for the base metal used in gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry, such as Pd for Palladium.

Gold-Filled Jewelry

Now for the real question: what's gold-filled versus gold-plated? In this section, we'll cover gold-filled jewelry, its makeup, qualities, and benefits.

In gold-filled jewelry, a base metal is soldered to an outer layer of solid gold. The base metal may be sterling silver, nickel, copper or brass. Gold-filled jewelry is less expensive than solid gold jewelry as it is less pure, but it is also more durable.

Makeup

The gold layers in gold-filled jewelry may have various karats, from 10K to 24K. There may be several layers of solid gold around the base metal, which is commonly brass. The gold sheets around the base metal help ensure that the jewelry does not peel or chip.

Quality

Gold-filled jewelry is the second most valuable type of gold, next to solid gold. Thanks to pressed layering, gold-filled jewelry does not tarnish, fade, or chip over time. With proper care, this kind of jewelry can last a lifetime.

Benefits

Gold-filled jewelry has several benefits. It is a valuable and less expensive alternative to solid gold. It is also gorgeous, easy to maintain, and exceptionally durable. To care for your gold-filled jewelry, all you really need to do is wipe it gently with a soft cloth. When you wear jewelry, your skin oils transfer to it, and the soft cloth will remove them.

Additionally, the thick layer of gold protects the base metal from being exposed. So, unless you have a gold allergy, your skin won't turn green.

Related: What is Gold-Filled Jewelry and Why Does it Matter?

Gold-Plated Jewelry

Okay, so how does gold-filled compare to gold-plated? Gold-plating is a process in which a thin layer of gold is applied to a surface of a metal. Gold-plating is common in jewelry industries because it is a simple and inexpensive process.

Makeup

The gold plating applied to the base metal is very thin. It does not make up any calculable gold percentage. The thin layer may chip off and expose the base metal underneath, which may be brass, nickel, or sterling silver.

Quality

Gold-plated jewelry is the lowest quality gold jewelry on the market. The gold layer may flake off over time, exposing the base metal underneath. Brass bases tarnish. Nickel bases may irritate if the wearer is allergic to nickel.

Vermeil is a special kind of gold-plating. It uses the same process but uses only sterling silver as a base metal. While sterling silver still tarnishes, it is a better alternative for those allergic to nickel.

Benefits

Gold-plated jewelry is budget-friendly and readily available on the market.

Similar to gold-filled, gold-plated jewelry is less susceptible to damage. Gold is a soft metal, and the base material in gold-plated jewelry allows the piece to stand up to bumps and dents.

Gold-Filled vs. Gold-Plated Results

So, to sum things up, we'll list the basics of gold-filled vs. gold-plated jewelry. We'll start with gold-filled:

Gold-filled jewelry consists of several bonded gold layers pressed onto a non-gold base metal.

It has a thicker gold layer.

Gold content of 10K-24K

Durable

More expensive than gold-plated, but less expensive than solid gold

Next up is gold-plated:

Gold-plated jewelry consists of a thin layer of gold pressed onto a brass, nickel, or sterling silver base metal.

It has a thinner gold layer.

Unquantifiable gold content

It stands up to bumps and scratches but will chip and flake

Inexpensive

The side-by-side comparison shows that gold-filled jewelry is the best choice for long-lasting, durable gold jewelry that is still affordable. You are typically advised to avoid gold-plated jewelry if you have sensitive skin or a history of skin conditions. Allergens such as copper or nickel in the base may irritate the skin.

We Recommend Gold-Filled Jewelry

In the end, the gold-filled versus gold-plated debate ends with the former as the winner. It is more durable, does not tarnish, and has a higher gold content than gold-plated jewelry.

Now you know which one is better, so where do you find high-quality, gold-filled jewelry to give you that stunning, high-quality, long-lasting look? Look no further than the Liz James Studio for your 14K gold-filled jewelry. Each piece is handmade for unique jewelry that is meant to be worn every day, everywhere that you go.

The jewelry crafted by the Liz James team will not tarnish or turn. It is 14K gold-filled and inspected by the team before hitting the shelves. Shop now for your perfect collection.