Gold Plated
Gold plated jewelry is typically gold-plated metal, typically made of silver or a base metal like copper. Gold plating is an electrochemical process that coats the surface of a metal with a thin layer of pure gold. It's not actually gold, but it looks like it and has the same feel. Gold plating is done to increase the durability of the metal, improve its appearance and reduce tarnish. Gold plating also provides protection from corrosion and oxidation. Because it's easy to scratch real gold, you might want to consider investing in a more expensive alternative. A jewelry store can help you decide between gold plated or gold filled jewelry. Gold filled jewelry is made using fine strands of real gold embedded in a layer of resin or another base material. The look and feel are almost identical to that of solid gold jewelry, but they don't cost as much because they're handmade and not plated.