Gold Filled Vs Gold Plated: Price
The cost of a gold filled or gold plated piece of jewelry will vary based on multiple factors, but most of it boils down to the base metal of the piece. Vermeil jewelry is going to be more expensive than your average plated jewelry, because sterling silver is still considered a precious metal.
On average, you can find most gold plated rings for less than $100 and many even less than $50. It can even go as low as $10 for a cute fashion ring. Gold filled prices are going to be similar. You can find low end gold filled jewelry under $50 and some over $100.
But on average, you can find a variety of options for each type of jewelry with an affordable price tag. Gold filled jewelry may be more expensive because the thick layer has a higher amount of gold. But it’s hard to blanket price them.
The cost of gold jewelry in general depends on the gold karat amount, how large the piece is, if it has any gemstones or diamonds, or even if it’s a particular brand, like Pandora.
What Is Gold Plated Jewelry And Why We Are Gold Plating Things
Quoting “Collins English Dictionary”: gold plated is a specific thing covered with a layer of gold. Extending – gold plating is widely used in chemistry, IT branches, electronics, astronomy, medicine, decorative industry and – of course – jewelry. Gold plating is popular because it is way cheaper than to make things of pure, solid gold while giving the exact same appearance . This allows less expensive metals to look exactly like solid gold while being able to be offered at a fraction of the cost. Moreover, gold plating highly inhibits corrosion because it does not oxidize – it is the least reactive of all metals. That means that it is impervious to moisture and high temperatures. Gold will hold up well in many environments and will not melt when subjected to high heat. Moreover, this metal encourages paint adhesion, which is vital in art industry. Same story with jewelry – our sliver and steel necklaces, pendants, earrings and signet rings gain durability, luxury look, and prevention from corrosion. Even if we need to solder certain areas of jewelry its comforting to know that gold enhance solderability. Therefore we can clearly see, that gold plated meaning to the industry is vital because it offers many of the attributes of solid gold at a fraction of the cost. Pay attention not to call white gold plated jewelry or gold plated jewelry fake its not fake its a process of using less gold in order to deliver the same look for a comparably low cost.
This Is How You Keep Your Jewelry Beautiful:
- Make sure you store your jewelry neatly and keep them in a closed, dark place, for example in a box or bag. You can also use the beautiful Flawed jewelry box you receive when you order a ring or necklace
- Take off your jewelry while sleeping! If you are a wild sleeper, chains can even be dangerous and a big earring does not sleep well
If you handle your gold-plated jewelry with care, you can wear them for a long time.
Check out all our gold plated jewelry here and choose a beautiful ring, bracelet, necklace or a set of earrings!
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The Pros And Cons Of 18k Gold Plated Jewelry Items
Gold jewelry adds a touch of class, elegance, and timelessness to any outfit, which is why pretty much everyone is often out there looking for the best of gold jewelry.
Unfortunately, the best quality solid gold jewelry is quite expensive, which is why gold plated jewelry is often the best option for most people.
The gold-plated pieces have a solid gold finish and look at a lower price tag, albeit with a reduced level of durability.
Below, we look at the specific pros and cons of gold-plated jewelry.
Acid Testing: The Most Reliable Method
Perhaps the most reliable way to find out the gold content of jewelry is to do an acid test. .
Although you can buy an acid testing kit and perform the test at home, interpreting the results can get tricky depending on the gold alloy examined. This is why we recommend that you have such a test done by a professional.
Heres how acid testing works:
The jeweler will take some sample material from your jewelry and then apply acid to it to observe if there is a color change, which will indicate what metals the sample contains.
Acid testing is used mainly to determine the karat of solid gold jewelry, but it can also indicate whether the piece is plated.
Its also useful to know that many gold-plated pieces are coated with 24/22/20/18-karat gold, so if you come across an item whose surface acid-tests like 24, 22, 20, or 18 karats but the price is too cheap for that karat, then the jewelry is probably plated.
Alternatively, if you scratch a plated piece deep enough, you will see the underlying metal, which will confirm that the jewelry is not solid gold try this on your own risk, though.
Note: Solid gold does not mean pure. You should keep in mind that solid pieces consist of an alloy of gold and other metals, and the purity of this mixture depends on how much gold it contains. A piece can be made of solid gold and have very low gold purity at the same time .
Related:Check out this great selection of fine gold jewelry.
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What Is Gold Filled
Gold filled is a solid layer of gold mechanically bonded to a base – jewelers brass. US standards require the gold layer to consist of 1/20th of the jewelrys total weight. The gold is usually 14k gold, but sometimes may be 12k gold .
Gold filled has some limitations because of the way it is manufactured it is only available in wire or sheet form, so it cannot be casted or poured into a mold. Gold filled charms are either flat , or hollow . Whenever we can’t make charms or rings out of gold filled, we use gold vermeil instead.
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 cant rub off. It has the same qualities as solid gold jewelry at a fraction of the cost. Gold filled jewelry is also great for people who are allergic to metals, as the material will not cause an allergic reaction.
US gold filled jewelry is our material of choice we use gold filled where ever we can because it is higher 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.
Overall – gold filled jewelry is perfect for everyday wear because it can handle the wear and tear of daily life, and it’s very affordable. With proper care, gold filled jewelry can last a lifetime!
What Is The Ideal Thickness Of Coating
The standard thickness of the gold coating is between 0.17 and 2.5 microns or micrometers . This is the standard unit of length used for measuring the thickness of gold plating and other similar things with a microscopic length.
Gold plating thickness determines its durability. The more the microns, the better the chance for the gold plating to last with usage.
A 0.17 micron of coating contains only 0.05% of gold and such layers are extremely thin. Known as gold washing or flashing, this coating wears off fast and quite easily. because of minimal exposure to rubbing and rough wear, A 0.17-micron thick coating is ideal for earrings, lockets, and brooches.
The pieces that are likely to undergo heavy wear and tear like rings and bracelets should have gold plating thickness between 0.5 and 1.0 microns. These are still pencil-thin layers but not quite flimsy to get rubbed off easily.
If you want durable gold plating, choose a piece with 2.5 microns of thickness. This one lasts longer than other plating options.
However, a thin coating does not make gold plated jewelry trash. They have their own beauty and a specific price value. Real gold is used in making them but they are not as valuable as gold because of how little gold is used.
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How Do I Keep My Gold Plated Jewelry Beautiful
How long your gold plated jewelry stays beautiful depends on various factors. For example of the thickness of the gold plating or external influences, such as rain and even oxygen. It is important that you take good care of your jewelry and handle it with care. Below we share some tips, so that you keep your jewelry beautiful:
- Take off your gold plated jewelry while showering, swimming or washing your hands. The gold plating is very sensitive to water and chlorine
- If you come into contact with chemical products, such as detergent or washing-up liquid, take off your jewelry and do not put it back on until your hands are dry
- Take off your jewelry when spraying perfume or hairspray. Also, take them off if you apply a lotion or cream!
- Take off your gold plated jewelry while exercising. Sweat has a negative effect on the gold plating and its colour.
Is Gold Plated Jewelry Fake
One of the most common questions when it comes to gold plated jewelry is: does gold plated mean fake? The answer to this question is dependent on your definition of fake.
To explain:
The gold layer on the outside of the jewelry item is real gold. However, since the entire piece of jewelry is composed of a base metal or metal alloy that is not gold, gold plated jewelry is commonly referred to as fake gold. The gold on the surface is real gold of varying fineness , but the center of the item is not gold.
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Comparing Types Of Gold
Pure 24K Gold
We’re talking what actually comes out of the groundpure gold. Gold’s purity is measured in karats, or “k,” so with pure gold you’d have 24k. In its pure form, gold is a very bright, intense yellow and is impractically soft for jewelry. It’s also pretty expensive. To strengthen it, other metals are added to the gold, resulting in an alloy that works better for jewelry.
Solid 14K Gold
The most popular blend of gold is 14k yellow gold. It is made up of 14 parts pure gold and 10 parts other metal . Solid 14k gold has enough pure gold to be exceptional quality, but enough other metals are added to give it a practical strength and durability. Also, the soft warm yellow tone of 14k gold is our personal favorite shade of gold. BTW, to be legally called “solid gold,” the alloy must be at least 10 out of 24 parts gold, or “10k gold.”
14k Gold-Filled
Layers of solid 14k gold are pressure bonded to a core of jeweler’s brass. The resulting thick layer of gold means it’s durable and top quality and just a step down from solid gold. The vast majority of gold-filled products in the US are 14k. We are drawn to this material because it offers an ideal balance of quality and value. .
vs. SOLID GOLD: is more expensive but it will last forever.
vs. GOLD PLATED: is less expensive but lower quality. Plating could chip or flake, while GF is extremely durable. If the plating is over steel, the piece could be stronger and not bent as easily as a similar gold-filled piece.
Gold Vermeil
Gold Plated / Gold Vermeil
Gold Plated jewellery consists of a very thin layer of gold being electrically charged onto a base metal or sterling silver.
If gold is plated over sterling silver, this is also known as Vermeil .
You’ll often see Gold Plated jewellery expressed as a number of karats as well. E.g. ‘14k Gold Plated‘. In this example, the number of karats refers to the very thin layer of gold that is plated over a base metal or sterling silver.
There are 2 very important things to note here:
1. Although it is a layer of real gold used in plating, it is only about 0.5 microns on average, or up to 5 microns for heavy gold plating that is used. To give some context, 1 micron = 1 millionth of a metre, and the average human hair is 70 microns thick! So it is only a microscopic level of gold which does not compare in volume to a Solid Gold piece of jewellery.
2. It is important not to confuse gold plated naming conventions with solid gold. In the above example, a 14k gold plated piece of jewellery should be clearly stated as ’14k Gold Plated’. A solid 14k gold piece of jewellery would be stated as ’14k Gold’ or ’14k Solid Gold’ or ‘Solid 14k Gold’.
When purchasing jewellery, it is important to be sure of whether you are purchasing solid gold or plated gold. There is a large discrepancy in value and there have been instances where some retailers may omit the word ‘plated’ when describing their jewellery which can be very misleading.
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How To Protect Your 18k Plated Jewelry
- Remove the plated jewelry before exercising or swimming.
- Wear the jewelry after your cosmetics, perfumes, lotions, etc.
- Dont spray perfume on your gold plated jewelry.
- Clean the plated jewelry using warm water and some drops of mild detergent soap
- Buff it with a soft and clean piece of microfiber cloth after washing and drying it
- Store the jewelry safe in a plastic bag to protect from moisture, oxygen, or sulfur damage
Are Gold Plated Chains Fake Or Realworth Buying
Are gold plated chains fake or Real? Youre browsing the store looking for a gold chain to buy. You come across one that ticks all the boxes, but theres a catch. In the description, it reads gold-plated. What does that even mean?
Your confusion is understandable, as not everyone is clear about the terms used to describe different items that contain gold.
In this article, we look at the authenticity of gold-plated chains and jewelry in general. It will also help you understand why that piece you thought was solid gold faded, and help you put your mind at ease about whether or not it was fake.
Even more, it will give you more understanding about what kind of jewelry to get in the future, especially if youre on a budget.
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Is 18k Gold Plated Real
Popular 18K gold plated jewelry is made of sterling silver or other base metal covered with a thin gold layer that consists of 75% pure gold. As you can see, it is only coated with real gold, and some people are not sure whether it is a real gold piece of jewelry.
On the other hand, it is trendy since its price is more affordable than authentic golden jewelry entirely made of this precious metal. Keep in mind that 18K gold plated jewelry usually lasts longer than the one coated with 24K gold plating since it is not so soft. Now, lets see is 18K gold plated real or fake.
Are Gold Plated Chains Any Good
Determining if gold-plated chains are any good requires knowing the good and the bad of gold plating.
Your answer is mainly personal, but it helps to be informed in your decision-making process. Lets look at the pros and cons.
Pros
- Gold plated jewelry is affordable, particularly for those who dont have the finances to purchase solid gold
- Though they are much cheaper, gold plated items look like real gold especially to the untrained eye
- Because of the price, you can buy in-style items without worrying that youve made a considerable investment. You cant do the same with solid gold youre more inclined to purchasing classic pieces to suit your taste decades on
- Solid gold is soft, and the higher the karat, the more it is exposed to scratching. In that regard, one would state that gold-plated items are stronger and durable, being able to handle everyday wear much better
Cons
- Gold plated jewelry will tarnish, and the base metal will appear over time
- The gold later starts to wear off, flake off or chip over time because the gold layer is thin
- Gold plated jewelry has little gold on it, and thus not valuable like solid gold
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Are 18k Gold Gp And 18k Gold Gf Real Gold
May 02, 2017
Are 18k Gold GP and 18k Gold GF real gold?
While their names are made purposely similar to 18k Gold, but the short answer is, No, any piece of product, even with some carefully chosen words to confuse customers such as “solid”, if its name contains GP or GF , it should not be considered as gold jewelry.
According to US Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Part 23 – Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries:
..gold layer part of a gold-filled product must constitute at least 5% of the total weight of the item..
So there is 5% gold content in gold filled products, and for the less-regulated gold plated products could vary anywhere from 0.25% to 1% of gold content. It is like a bottle of apple drink with only 5% of apple juice content is not REAL apple juice, right?
Then, what are 18k Gold GP and 18K Gold GF?
GP refers to gold-plated, means to cover another type of metal with a very thin layer of pure gold on top by using electroplating. Whereas GF is gold-filled, which has a thin layer of gold bonded to another metal by using mechanical method.
GP and GF jewelries are widely available nowadays because of their low price, and looks similar to their more expensive 18k Gold siblings at a glance, but they are not without drawbacks.
What are the differences between GP, GF and gold jewelries?
Value – gold jewelry value remains with the value of gold, this does not apply to GP and GF products.
