Gold-Filled VS Gold-Plated

Most novices to gold jewelry often fall victim to gold-plated pieces that come with price tags that should be for solid gold pieces only. Gold-plated jewelry is usually made mostly with a mix of non-precious metals like brass and copper. Jewelers electroplate them with a thin layer of real gold. Nonetheless, even if they contain less expensive metals, Las Vegas gold-plated jewelry is still worth your time and money. Here, you will definitely find pieces that allow you to enjoy the aesthetics of gold without having to break your wallet. Just make sure that you avoid unfairly priced ones to help you make the most of it. Let’s go over some of the differences between the two to help you decide which one to get for your next piece:

Content

The layer of gold found in gold-plated jewelry is quite minuscule. Meanwhile, gold-filled jewelry contains thick layers of gold, which helps it last longer, making up much of what you pay for. 

Durability

Gold-plated jewelry gets a bad rep for being flimsy since most of them are not very durable. Some of them can’t even withstand wear and tear, heat, and water. Meanwhile, gold-filled jewelry can last a lifetime if well taken care of. However, this does not mean that all gold-plated jewelry is 100% not worth your bucks. If you choose one that is well-made and comes from a good brand, you might find yourself surprised by its durability and craftsmanship. In fact, you can now find certain jewelry brands that specialize in gold-plated jewelry. They dedicate their brand to those who want to wear the brilliance of gold without hurting the planet’s natural gold deposits.

Tarnish 

The layer of gold on gold-plated jewelry is usually thin, which can fade away quickly. Once the core metal is exposed to air, tarnishing becomes inevitable. Meanwhile, it would take special circumstances for gold-filled jewelry to tarnish, and it would only happen over time. 

Uses

For longevity and reliable durability, gold-filled jewelry is, of course, the best choice. It is the perfect gift for anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions. On the other hand, gold-plated jewelry is best for trying out trends. This way, you can take part in wearing trendy pieces without having to invest much of your money in them. This is one way of protecting yourself from wasting money on pieces that are only appreciated during a short period of time.  Either way, both gold-filled and gold-plated jewelry can hold sentimental value, depending on its owner.