Gold
Gold jewelry refers to pieces that are made from solid gold, meaning that gold is present in the entire piece and not just on the surface of it.
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Characteristics:
- Gold jewelry is available in various karats, such as 24k (pure gold), 18k, 14k, or 10k.
- The higher the karat number, the purer the gold (and the more yellow in its appearance), but it also tends to be softer.
- Naturally hypoallergenic (especially 14k, 18k, and up)
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Durability:
- Solid gold is considered durable. It doesn't wear off over time like gold-plated or gold vermeil.
- 10k is the strongest because the gold alloy is mixed with other metals for durability but, it has a lighter yellow color.
- 14k has the best balance between strength and color.
- 18k is slightly more yellow but its softer and prone to scratches.
- 24k is very soft and scarcely used for jewelry.
- Cost: Because it's made from pure gold or high-purity gold, it is the most expensive option.
Gold-Filled
Gold-filled jewelry consists of a base metal like brass that has a mechanically bonded layer of gold adhered to the surface.
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Characteristics:
- In the U.S, gold-filled jewelry needs to have about 5% of gold in weight
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Durability:
- Gold-filled contains more gold than gold-plated jewelry
- It is common for everyday wear pieces
- Can be long-lasting with proper care
- Cost: Can be less expensive than gold vermeil.
Gold Vermeil
Gold vermeil jewelry is made from 925 sterling silver that has been coated with a layer of gold using an electroplating process.
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Characteristics:
- In the the U.S, gold vermeil jewelry needs to have a gold layer that is least 2.5 microns thick. The layer of gold must also be 10k or higher.
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Durability:
- More durable than standard plated jewelry because the minimum thickness of the plating is almost 5 times higher than any other type of plating.
- Overall, it tends to be more long-lasting than gold-plated jewelry.
- Cost: Gold vermeil jewelry is cheaper than solid gold jewelry but typically costs more than gold-layered, gold-plated, and gold-filled pieces.
Note: Gold filled is usually more durable than gold vermeil because the gold layer is mechanically bonded instead of electroplated. However, gold vermeil tends to be priced higher due to its sterling silver base.
Gold-Layered
Gold-layered jewelry is used mostly as an industry term. It does not describe a standardized method of integrating gold to a base metal. Gold-layered jewelry is mainly a base metal like brass or stainless steel that has been covered with multiple layers of gold.
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Characteristics:
- The exact thickness and gold content in gold-layered jewelry can vary. It's not as strictly regulated as gold vermeil.
- The gold layer in gold-layered jewelry can be thicker than gold-plating, but it is usually thinner than gold vermeil.
- Common base metal(s) used for gold-layered jewelry are copper, brass, sterling silver, stainless steel, nickel, and aluminum.
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Durability:
- The durability of gold-layered jewelry can vary depending on the thickness of the gold layers and the care.
- Generally, it is considered more durable than standard gold-plated jewelry but less durable than gold vermeil.
- Cost: Gold-layered jewelry is often priced similarly to gold-plated jewelry, but it can also vary depending on the thickness of the gold coating.
Gold-Plated
Gold-plated jewelry uses metals that have been coated with a thin layer of gold. The gold layer is quite thin, often less than 1 micron or 0.5 microns thick. The layer is usually added using an electroplating process.
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Characteristics:
- The gold plating can be made from different karats of gold (such as 10k, 14k, or 18k).
- The most common base metal(s) used for gold-plated jewelry are copper, brass, sterling silver, stainless steel, nickel, and aluminum.
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Durability:
- The gold plating responsible for the yellow appearance of the jewelry piece is prone to wearing off over time with gold-plated jewelry.
- If the piece is exposed to frequent friction, moisture, or harsh chemicals it may expose the base metal underneath.
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Cost:
- It is one of the most affordable options since it uses a thinner coating of gold.
The durability of your gold jewelry depends on the quality and product care. It is also important to consider how your skin and pH levels react to the different metals. Visit our Jewelry Care page for tips.
The cost section is for informational purposes reflecting the general pricing in comparison to each other and is subject to change.
