The terms gold plated, gold vermeil, gold filled, and real gold refer to different types of gold jewelry, each varying in terms of composition, durability, and cost. Here’s a breakdown of each:
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Gold Plated:
- Composition: Gold plated jewelry has a thin layer of gold applied to a base metal (like brass or copper) using an electroplating process.
- Gold Thickness: The gold layer is usually very thin, often less than 0.5 microns.
- Durability: The thin layer of gold can wear off relatively quickly, especially with frequent use or exposure to moisture and chemicals.
- Cost: Typically the least expensive among the options because of the minimal gold content.
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Gold Vermeil:
- Composition: Gold vermeil (pronounced "ver-may") consists of a thicker layer of gold over sterling silver. The base metal must be sterling silver.
- Gold Thickness: The gold layer must be at least 2.5 microns thick, according to standards in the United States.
- Durability: More durable than gold plated jewelry due to the thicker gold layer and the use of sterling silver as the base metal. However, the gold can still wear off over time.
- Cost: More expensive than gold plated but generally less expensive than gold filled or solid gold.
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Gold Filled:
- Composition: Gold filled jewelry has a thick layer of gold (at least 5% of the total weight) mechanically bonded to a base metal, usually brass.
- Gold Thickness: The gold layer is much thicker than gold plated, typically ranging from 5 to 100 microns.
- Durability: Very durable and resistant to tarnish and wear, often lasting many years with proper care. It offers a good balance between quality and affordability.
- Cost: More expensive than gold plated and gold vermeil but less expensive than solid gold.
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Real Gold (Solid Gold):
- Composition: Solid gold jewelry is made entirely of gold alloyed with other metals to enhance its strength. Common alloys are 14k (58.5% gold), 18k (75% gold), and 24k (pure gold).
- Gold Thickness: There is no "thickness" to measure since the entire piece is gold.
- Durability: Extremely durable and resistant to tarnish. The higher the karat, the softer the gold, but also the more valuable and less prone to tarnishing.
- Cost: The most expensive option due to the high gold content.