The difference between gold, gold plated and gold filled
Gold is a classic metal. It’s been used as jewellery for centuries, and its regal feel makes it perfect for special occasions. Gold plating, gold filled and gold-coated pieces are all affordable ways to get the look of gold without breaking the bank. Discover more about each of these three types of gold jewellery and see which one is right for you.
What is gold plated jewelry?
Gold plating is when a thin layer of gold is applied to another metal. The most common base metals for gold plating are silver, copper and nickel. If you’re buying cheap jewelry, it’s a good chance it’s gold plated. When you apply gold to another metal, it’s expected to wear off over time. It won’t last as long as a piece of pure gold jewellery, but it will be considerably less expensive. The thickness of the gold layer will also affect how long it lasts. When it comes to pure gold, many countries have standards for what percentage of gold jewellery is acceptable. In the UK, for example, the minimum amount of gold needed for an item to be described as “gold” is 10% pure. The rest can be another metal, such as silver. In the US, the standard is 14 karat gold, which is 58.5% pure gold.
What is gold filled jewelry?
When you apply a layer of gold to another metal, it’s called gold plating. When you sandwich molten gold between two pieces of metal, it’s called gold filled. You’ll often see gold filled rings, earrings and pendants. For gold filled jewellery, both pieces of metal are typically copper with a thin layer of gold sandwiched between them. For example, a gold filled ring may have a base of copper sandwiched between a top layer of gold. Since the base metal is copper, you’ll be able to see it through the gold plating. Like gold plating, the amount of gold used in gold filled jewellery will affect how long it lasts. The thicker the layer of gold, the longer it will last. However, it’s also possible to wear through the gold layer and see the copper underneath.
What is gold-coated jewelry?
A gold-coated piece of jewellery has a thin layer of gold that has been sprayed onto the surface of the piece. It’s a quick and inexpensive way to coat items like costume jewellery and beads. The gold coating on a piece of jewellery won’t last as long as gold-plated or gold-filled jewellery. It’s likely to wear off much sooner. The thickness of the gold coating will make a difference as well. You’ll also be able to see the base metal underneath the gold coating. This is because the base metal is not dissolved before the gold is sprayed onto the surface, so the coating will be thinner and less even than a gold plated or gold filled ring.
How can you tell the difference?
If you’re buying jewellery, it’s important to know what you’re actually getting. Here are some things to look for that can help you tell the difference between gold plated, gold filled and gold-coated jewellery. - Thickness - When it comes to thickness, thinner is not always better. Gold plating is usually very thin, while gold filling can be quite thick. This will affect how long it lasts and the type of care it requires. - Colour - The colour of the metal will be important to look out for. With gold-plating, the gold colour will be very consistent with little variation. With gold-filled jewellery, the colour of the gold may vary depending on the copper base colour. - Finish - The finish of the metal will vary depending on the type of plating being used and the thickness. Gold-plated items will often have a high-quality finish, while gold-coated items will have a less polished finish.
Is gold plating, filling or coating worth it?
As you’ve discovered, gold-plated, gold filled and gold-coated jewellery are all relatively inexpensive ways to get the look of pure gold without the price tag. But are they worth it? Gold-plated jewellery may not last as long as gold filled or coated jewellery. The thickness and quality of the gold used will make a difference as well. However, if you’re buying costume jewellery, it’s unlikely gold-plated pieces will be able to fool anyone. Gold filled and coated jewellery will last longer and look more like pure gold. Even though the base metal is copper, the gold coating will cover it. This will make it heavier than a gold-plated piece.
Should you buy gold-plated, gold-filled or gold-coated jewellery?
When it comes to gold-plated, gold-filled and gold-coated jewellery, the only real difference is the amount of time each will last. You can expect to get more wear out of gold-filled and coated items since you’re sandwiching or spraying gold onto a base metal. If you’re not sure which you should buy, ask yourself a few questions. How often will you wear the jewellery? Do you plan on wearing it for special occasions only or do you want to wear it every day? How much are you willing to spend on it? If you only want a piece of gold jewellery occasionally, you can get away with gold-plated jewellery. If you want something you can wear every day, you may want to consider gold filled or coated pieces.
Wrapping up
Gold is a classic metal that has been used as jewellery for centuries. It’s been popular throughout the ages because it never goes out of style. In modern times, you can choose between three types of gold jewellery: gold plating, gold filled and gold-coated pieces. The difference between gold, gold plated and gold filled is that gold plating is when a thin layer of gold is applied to another metal. Gold filled is when a layer of molten gold is sandwiched between two pieces of metal. And gold-coated pieces are when a thin layer of gold is sprayed onto the surface of a piece of costume jewellery.