Gold filled, gold vermeil, gold plated, solid gold. If you have shopped for jewelry online, you have probably seen all of these and wondered what the real difference is, and whether it matters. It does matter, mostly for how long a piece will keep its color and how you should care for it. Here is the plain-language version, and what we use for different pieces at Alunia.
Solid gold
Solid gold is gold all the way through, mixed with other metals for strength. The karat tells you how much gold is in it. 14k gold is 14 parts gold out of 24, or about 58% gold. That balance makes 14k a good everyday choice: it is real gold through and through, but harder and more durable than higher karats.
Solid gold does not tarnish and has no layer to wear off. It is safe in water, so you can shower in it. It is also the most expensive option. Our solid gold pieces are 14k solid gold, and you can find them in our 14k solid gold necklaces and 14k solid gold earrings, plus a few pieces like the Celine Evil Eye Ring and the Joya Pineapple Necklace.
Gold filled
Gold filled jewelry has a thick layer of gold that is bonded to a base metal core, usually brass, using heat and pressure. In the US, a piece can only be called gold filled if the gold makes up at least 5% of its total weight (you will sometimes see this written as 1/20). That is many times more gold than a typical plated piece.
Because the gold layer is so thick, gold filled jewelry does not tarnish easily and keeps its color for a long time with normal care. It is a great middle ground between price and durability, which is why we use it for most of our chains. Our 14k gold filled necklaces and 14k gold filled earrings are good places to start if you want pieces you can wear often.
Gold vermeil
Gold vermeil (pronounced "ver-may") is a sterling silver base with a thick layer of gold on top. The key difference from plating is the base: it is a precious metal, 925 sterling silver, rather than brass or another base metal. In the US, vermeil also has to meet a minimum gold thickness and karat, so it is a step above standard plating.
Vermeil is a nice choice if you have sensitive skin or simply like knowing there is real silver underneath. It is still a layered metal, though, so the gold can wear over a long time, especially in spots that rub against skin or clothes. Our Naya Herringbone Chain Necklace comes in 14k gold vermeil, and you can see more in our gold vermeil necklaces.
Gold plated
Gold plated jewelry has a thin layer of gold applied over a base metal, usually brass, through electroplating. It gives you the look of gold at the most affordable price, and it lets us offer more detailed designs, like charms, medallions and crystal-set pendants, at prices that make sense for everyday jewelry and gifts.
The trade-off is that plating is thin, so it can fade with wear. How fast depends a lot on how you wear it. A pendant that sits on top of a sweater will last much longer than a ring you wear while washing dishes. Some of our pendants and earrings are gold plated, and each product page says which metal each part is made of. Our plated pieces are nickel-free and hypoallergenic.
Quick comparison
- Solid 14k gold: gold all the way through. Will not tarnish or wear off. Safe in water. Highest price.
- Gold filled: thick gold layer bonded to a base metal. Does not tarnish easily and lasts years with care. Mid price.
- Gold vermeil: thick gold layer over sterling silver. Good for sensitive skin. Can wear slowly over time. Mid price.
- Gold plated: thin gold layer over a base metal. Most affordable. Can fade with wear.
How to care for each one
Solid gold is the easy one. Wear it in the shower, clean it with warm soapy water, and enjoy it.
For gold filled, gold vermeil and gold plated pieces, the rules are simple and they make a real difference: keep them away from water, lotion and perfume. Put your jewelry on after you get ready, take it off before you shower, swim or sleep, and store each piece separately in a pouch or a small zip bag. Clean plated and vermeil pieces with a soft, damp cloth only, no soaking or scrubbing. Our gold jewelry care guide and jewelry care page go into more detail.
Which one should you choose?
It depends on how you will wear it. For a piece you never want to take off, solid gold is worth it. For chains and everyday hoops you will wear most days, gold filled is our usual recommendation. For a gift, a trend you want to try, or a detailed charm you will wear a few times a week, gold plated is a lovely and affordable option.
Whatever you choose, every piece comes with our 1-year warranty. If it breaks, we will repair or replace it. You also have 30 days to return it if it is not right (Final Sale items excepted). If you are not sure which metal a piece is, send us a message and we will tell you. You can also find answers to common questions in our FAQs.
