Jewellery is like the final touch that can instantly lift the simplest look. Some people worship gold, some style it, and some just purchase it to keep it locked away in a safe. For centuries, gold has been the symbol of beauty and style for all genders. But when it comes to purchasing gold jewellery, some terms can be confusing, especially when deciding between which gold to buy: solid gold, gold-plated or gold-filled? This blog will help you understand the differences so you can make an informed choice when buying your next piece of gold.
Why Knowing Your Metal Matters?
When buying gold jewellery, one must know a few things. Let’s start with understanding Solid gold; it is considered luxurious and expensive due to its purity, quality and durability factors. Whereas when it comes to gold-filled and gold-plated jewellery, you must know that it offers a quality finish and shine like Solid gold without being heavy on your pocket. The jewellery piece you choose is entirely dependent on your budget and personal style. For daily wear options, a minimal gold-plated jewellery is the perfect pick for women, while for men, a gold-plated bracelet does the job. Palmonas’ 9KT gold lab-grown diamond collection is worth exploring, for those special moments when you want to shine the brightest.
What Is Gold-Plated Jewellery?
The process of designing gold jewellery starts with choosing a base metal: copper, brass or stainless steel. Which then proceeds to get coated with a thin layer of gold - a process known as electroplating. Further, the jewellery gets dipped in a solution including particles of gold. It offers the same elegant appearance as solid gold, but at a significantly lower cost. With proper care, gold-plated can last longer and shine for years, just not a lifetime.
What is Gold-Filled Jewellery?
Gold-filled jewellery offers an elegant look, but at an affordable price, making it the perfect alternative to solid gold. A combination of base metal with a thicker gold plating, using pressure and heat, produces gold-filled jewellery. Gold-filled jewellery contains a minimum of 5% pure gold by weight, meaning at least 1/20th of its total weight is real gold. This jewellery has a thicker coating compared to gold-plated jewellery. The base metal is generally brass; the coating varies from 10, 14, 18, 22, or 24k gold according to preference and budget.
Difference Between Gold-Plated and Gold-filled
Knowing the differences between gold-plated and gold-filled is important. The most noticeable differences between them are durability, the thickness of the gold plating, and maintenance requirements. Filled jewellery has thicker gold plating attached to the base metal. Gold-filled jewellery is skin safe and less likely to cause allergies since the gold coating is thicker and doesn't come into contact with base metal.
How to Spot Good Quality in Gold-Filled or Gold-Plated Jewellery
Prioritise the thickness of gold plating while choosing gold-plated jewellery. The gold-to-base ratio must always be disclosed for gold-filled jewellery to maintain transparency. Whether you are choosing gold rings, bracelets, chains or necklaces for women, make sure you are aware of the details about the metal type, the plating thickness and user instructions.
Palmonas’ Approach
At Palmonas, we strive to strike the perfect balance between style, affordability and longevity with our gold plated demi-fine jewellery pieces. The 18k gold plating over surgical-grade stainless steel offers long-term shine without compromising on budget and comfort.
For those seeking fine jewellery that stands the test of time, our 9KT gold collection is BIS hallmarked for purity and IGI/SGL certified for lab-grown diamonds, setting the standard for trust and modern luxury.
With our lab-grown diamond jewellery collection, we provide a sustainable choice, allowing you to choose from a variety of accessories. Either shop online or our jewellery stores near you. Whether you want to gift a loved one or just treat yourself, we ensure every piece doesn't compromise on quality and comfort.
FAQs
1. Is it okay if you shower with gold-filled jewellery?
The answer is yes. This type of jewellery has a design to last long and is durable. In addition, it can withstand exposure to water and soap. However, properly caring for your jewellery is essential to keep it looking its best.
2. Gold Filled vs Gold Plated: Which Is More Valuable?
While both types may look similar, gold-filled is generally more valuable than gold plating because it has a more robust and longer-lasting bond. Moreover, filled jewellery can quickly get a polish to remove tarnish and restore shine. In contrast, gold-plated items can tarnish or peel over time, revealing the less attractive majority of metal underneath. Hence, gold-filled offers better value in terms of durability and longevity.
3. Is gold-filled 100% gold?
Despite not being made 100% of solid gold, gold-filled jewellery contains at least 5% of its weight in real gold. But it's important to note that real gold is not pure gold. While 24-karat gold is made of 99% pure gold, your gold-filled jewellery is an alloy of real gold and other metals.
4. Which is better, 24K or 18K gold?
This fundamental difference affects everything from colour and durability to practical applications and value. 24K gold offers maximum purity but reduced durability, while 18K gold provides enhanced strength and versatility through its alloyed composition.
