Written by the experts at Rock Paper Pretty
You’ve heard the terms “gold plated” and “gold filled”, but what does it mean? And is there a difference?
They are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not the same! It’s helpful to know the difference between gold plated and gold filled when you are buying a new piece of jewelry.
There are several main differences, not just the price! We'll go through the differences of both, so the next time you are looking for a new necklace or pair of earrings, you can make an educated purchase.
All About Gold Filled
- Gold filled jewelry has a thick layer of real solid gold, heat bonded over a base metal.
- Contains at least 5% real gold
- Will not tarnish
- Very durable; will last a lifetime if cared for
- Best for daily wear and meaningful, timeless gifts
Because of the higher gold content in gold filled jewelry, it will also come with a higher price tag than gold plated jewelry. It is a great alternative and more economical option than solid gold.
Buy gold filled jewelry if you want your jewelry to last a long time and still look like new, and you want to wear it everyday.
All About Gold Plated
- Extremely thin layer of gold over brass or base metal
- Contains only 0.05% real gold
- Easily tarnishes
- Not very durable; gold plating will easily come off with regular wear, lotions, water and oil
- Best for occasional wear and more on trend styles
- Typically costs less since there is less gold in gold plated jewelry
Buy gold plated jewelry if the design is more trendy, and if you plan on only wearing it occasionally.
Hopefully now, you will find it easier to decide between gold filled and gold plated jewelry. Both are great, but depending on how much you plan on wearing your jewelry, as well as how long you want to have it looking like new, will ultimately determine which one is right for you!
Rock Paper Pretty’s jewelry is made with both options. Most of our gold necklaces and earrings are made with 14k gold filled. This is important to us since we want you to be able to wear your jewelry everyday, and love every piece you invest in!
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BEHIND THE BRAND
Rock Paper Pretty makes effortlessly chic gemstone jewelry for the modern romantic who wants pretty pieces she can wear everyday. Our love for nature and passion for beauty is in everything we create. We believe you can have beautifully designed jewelry while also being eco conscious so our handcrafted jewelry comes wrapped in eco-friendly packaging.
Dana Sobanski is the owner and maker behind Rock Paper Pretty. She is a mom, wife and part time registered nurse with a passion for jewelry. She founded Rock Paper Pretty in 2019 as a creative outlet and hasn't looked back! Each piece is designed and artfully handcrafted to take you from school drop-off to date night and everything in between. Her mantra- "Live Life. Make memories. Wear the jewelry."
Learn more at rockpaperpretty.ca