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GOLD FILLED MEANING

gold-filled-vs-gold-plated_088d1835-9cde

Gold Plated is a thin layer of gold often electroplated to a base metal like copper or brass. Gold can rub off due to normal wear exposing the raw metal beneath and may tarnish and color or irritate skin if sensitive. Many of us have had the turn your skin green experience, which can be a culprit reaction of skin acid and copper (and some silver and gold). So as the old adage goes, you get what you pay for and each person is unique in their own tolerance and reactions.

 

Gold Filled is a thick layer, which is heat or pressure bonded to a core metal (often sterling silver, copper or brass). Because its thick wall, the gold should not flake or rub off and should not expose the base core metal. This allows it to be skin safe. However, for people with ultra sensitivities it is good to ask for things like nickel free verified or ensure sterling silver is the core etc. so you have double insurance.

 

Solid Gold is actually soft so it is typically alloyed with another metals to hold up for daily wear. Grade ranges from 14-24 karat with highest concentration of gold. This has similar safety to gold filled but the price is much higher as you are paying for the weight of more gold as there is no core metal filler.

Durability / Tarnish

 

Gold plated is the least durable and may tarnish (discolor) or chip in heavy daily wear. Filled and solid gold both are tarnish free and have high durability for daily wear over a longer time. As with any fashion jewelry, care and maintenance ensures a longer life, so proper cleaning, drying when wet, and environments they are worn in make a difference to add or subtract to wearability over time.

 

There is a direct correlation to durability and price / value of gold. Plated tends be the cheapest, but also shortest lifetime and highest skin sensitivity potential. Gold filled tends to be a mid-range reasonable price point for comparable skin security and lifetime value of use to solid. However, solid gold is a great investment piece if willing to splurge a bit more.

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