We often get asked if gold plating is the same as gold filled jewellery. However, there are some important differences between these. Gold plating contains a very thin layer of gold over a base metal such as brass or copper, with gold making up approximately 0.05% of the metal in these pieces. In addition, gold plating can also be done over sterling silver which is referred to as gold vermeil. However, of the 3 options gold plating is the most affordable and if taken care of these pieces last between 6 months and 5 years subject to number of wears and treatment.
In comparison to gold filled jewellery which have a significantly thicker layer of gold around the base metal with gold making up approximately 5% of the metals used, which makes it up to 100 times thicker than that used for gold plated jewellery. This thick layer of metal means that gold filled jewellery is regarded as being hypoallergenic and suitable for daily wear, in addition to making these pieces waterproof unlike gold plated jewellery.
In comparison, solid gold jewellery does not have this base layer and is instead made up of gold itself, making it the most expensive option of the 3. Solid gold jewellery is the highest quality of the 3 options, making it the most durable in addition to also being hypoallergenic and long lasting. There are varying levels of purity of gold varying from 9 carat gold to 24 carat gold, with the later being most pure as it is made up of 100% gold.
Here at Ears by Emily shop, we cater to a range of different budgets so have opted to offering pieces made of different materials to ensure there are items which are affordable for everyone. In addition, we offer upgrades to hypoallergenic made of stainless steel and sterling silver for our cheaper items to allow customers with sensitivities to enjoy these products. Furthermore, we also offer high quality gold-filled, sterling silver and stainless steel products which are both unique and affordable.
We have created a diagram for illustrative purposes to provide some insight into the differences between these jewellery types for display purposes.