Gold is highly valued in jewelry and fortunately there are several types of gold jewelry, thanks to which we can all enjoy the appearance of this beautiful metal. Since even some options are a little more accessible, for whom the price of gold is too high. However, the different types of gold jewelry have particular characteristics that we must know before making a purchase. So below, we’ll give you a rundown of the four types of gold jewelry that are commonly found on the market today.
solid gold jewelry
Pure solid gold is not often used in jewelry making because it is so soft. Instead, gold is alloyed with other metals to make it stronger and better. The higher the karat, the higher the gold content in the metal, with 24-karat gold being the highest purity and 9-karat the lowest.
Advantages of solid gold jewelry
Among the types of gold jewelry on the market, this is obviously the most valuable and will retain that value for many years, even centuries, to come. Higher karat gold is unlikely to tarnish and will never tarnish the finish of a different colored metal underneath.
Solid gold jewelry signifies wealth and opulence, but it is also a very portable form of financial security, as it can always be melted down and sold as a commodity in times of crisis.
Cons of solid gold jewelry
The only downside is simply the expense. Gold is much more expensive than silver, and jewelry made of gold will always cost considerably more than pieces made of silver or other less expensive metals.
But if you can afford to invest in beautiful solid gold jewelry – you’re golden!
gold filled jewelry
If you are looking for a less expensive but wearable alternative form of gold finished jewelry, then gold filled jewelry is your friend.
Gold-filled metal is made by applying a layer of gold onto a core of base metal, which is then rolled under very high pressure until it bonds. To be called “gold filled”, the gold content must not be less than 1/20th by weight of the total metal content, so you may see gold filled metal referred to as 1/20th gold. This finish is up to 10 times thicker than normal gold metal.
Purities of 12, 14 or 18 karat gold will be used in this process. The most commonly used base metal core is brass, as the color makes it less noticeable if the outer layer of gold wears off.
Advantages of gold filled jewelry
Gold filled jewelry is much more affordable than solid gold, which is the biggest pro. It’s also a great solution for those who have metal allergies and need to wear gold, but can’t afford to have all their pieces made of solid gold.
It also wears much better than regular gold plated jewelry as the outer layer of gold is much thicker. With care, you can likely enjoy your gold filled jewelry for many years without losing its gold finish.
Cons of gold filled jewelry
The main drawback is that gold filled jewelry will not stand the test of time like solid gold does. This is the compensation for the least cost. However, if you take care of your gold filled jewelry and avoid tarnishing the finish, it will look great for years to come.
Another drawback is that gold-filled jewelry cannot be completely repaired to the same finish as it was originally, given the mechanical process required to make the metal. However, you can take these pieces to a fabrication jeweler or gold plating specialist to see if they can be plated to repair any wear.
gold plated jewelry
Gold-plated jewelry (sometimes called «gold plate») contains the least amount of gold. Gold plate is created by applying a thin layer of gold (usually between 0.175 microns and 2.5 microns thick) onto a base metal using electrical or chemical deposition. Flash silver or gold refers to very thin and often heavily distressed gold plated finishes, typically less than 0.175 microns thick.
Of all the alternatives to solid gold, gold-plated jewelry typically contains the least amount of gold. As such, it will wear more quickly, especially if a flash coat is applied.
Advantages of gold plated jewelry
The main advantage is that the price will be much lower than other finishes given the small amount of gold. Additionally, tarnish on gold plated jewelry can often be repaired by having it replated by a jeweler or specialist gold plating company.
Cons of gold plated jewelry
The significant downside is the ease with which gold plated (and especially flash plated) finishes wear down to the underlying base metal. People with metal allergies are likely to find that the solid gold finish will wear off quickly enough that the base metal underneath can give them trouble sooner rather than later, especially for pieces like rings and bracelets that wear a lot.
gold vermeil jewelry
Gold vermeil (pronounced ‘ver-may’) jewelry is made from pure silver or sterling silver that is heavily plated with gold. You may also see it referred to as silver gilt or silver gilt. This is one of our favorite finishes to use in our jewelry designs as an alternative to solid gold, along with gold filling.
To be considered gold vermeil, the United States requires that the minimum purity of gold used be 10 karat gold: we most often use 14, 18, or 24 karat gold in our vermeil finishes. US regulations also require the coating to be at least 2.5 microns thick, making it a heavy plated finish.
You will find that most jewelers around the world are likely to meet these requirements for gold vermeil finishes.
Advantages of gold vermeil jewelry
Once again, the main advantage is simply affordability. Gold vermeil is a good alternative to solid gold. It will not tarnish as well as gold filled, but most jewelers can create this finish much more easily than gold filled. Also, just like normal gold plated jewelry, the finish can be repaired by repeating.
It also has the added bonus that the entire piece is made from precious metals, and the metal under the plating is real silver instead of a base metal. This will help it retain its value over time.
Cons of gold vermeil jewelry
The cons here are the same as with gold plated jewelry, but in the case of gold vermeil, the plating is almost always heavier than standard gold plated metal, meaning it will wear better and the finish will last longer, especially with proper care.
In conclusion, if you are looking for jewelry that will really stand the test of time and you can afford it, solid gold jewelry will always be the best choice for you. However, alternative gold finishes (especially gold filled and silver vermeil) are great when you prefer to spend less and when you’re shopping for fashion jewelry pieces rather than sentimental or traditional jewelry.
Keep in mind that all of these alternative gold finishes will wear over time and some may be easier to repair than others. Now that you know the pros and cons of each of the types of gold jewelry, in any case the final decision of which one to choose will be up to you.