Gold plated, vermeil, gold filled and gold? Gold... What?! What is the difference and what do they mean?! We get it. It can all be a bit confusing which is why we have put together this blog explaining all the basics you need to know about these to help you as you shop.

One of the first questions you may be asking yourself is “Is one better than the other?" Well, yes and no. In our opinion there isn’t one that is really “better” than the other, it really just boils down to what your need is and we will explain what we mean in more detail below. Here at N O L O we sell gold plated, vermeil, gold filled and solid gold pieces and we love what each one has to offer. We love all four options and would recommend any of them based on what your individual needs are. So here we will give you a brief explanation of each one, why we like it and would promote it. This will help you choose which one may be the best option for your specific need.

One of the main differences between these four options is the amount of gold that is present in each one. So we will break down the differences in the order of gold quantity in each piece starting from the least amount of gold to the most and the pros and cons of each one.

Gold plated jewelry is jewelry that is plated or covered in a very thin layer of gold. This plating could vary from 10K, 14K and 18k gold and is dipped or overlaid on a base metal material such as silver, brass or sometimes copper. Gold plated sterling silver is usually the highest priced plated jewelry and the most popular choice because of sterling silvers durability and quality. Gold plated jewelry looks absolutely great. Due to the low amount of gold present, it is a very affordable option for people/fashionistas who have a specific budget they want to stick to, however they still want the great look and appeal that solid gold jewelry offers at a lower cost. 

So now you may be asking yourself, “so if gold plated jewelry gives you the look of gold yet at a lower price, what’s the deal with all these other variations of gold jewelry?” I’m glad you asked. As wonderful as gold plated jewelry is, it does have a con. Since gold jewelry is made with such a thin layer of gold, it could potentially have a shorter longevity than the other three options. We say potentially because it all depends on how you care for it. If gold plated jewelry is not properly cared for, the layer of gold can begin to strip away or tarnish. However on the other hand, with simple, proper care, gold plated jewelry can last for years! If you own or are thinking of buying gold plated jewelry you can check out our page on jewelry care where we break down how to properly care for your jewelry so it lasts.

Summary Of Gold Plated Jewelry: 

Main Pro’s: 

• Affordability, just about anyone can own a piece of gold plated jewel/you don’t need to have a big budget to own a piece of gold plated jewelry. 
• It looks amazing, you can own the look and appeal of gold jewelry at a much lower cost. 
• It is also easy to care for.

Main Con: 

• Since gold plated jewelry has a very thin layer of gold it may tarnish without proper care.

Now moving on to vermeil (Ver-May). You may have heard the term or seen vermeil gold jewelry as any option but weren’t sure what it really is. We are here to help. Vermeil in a way is similar to gold plated jewelry. Vermeil is also coated with an electroplating of gold however the difference is it has a thicker coating of gold than gold plate and is coated over a silver base. The combination of a higher gold quantity with silver is what raises the value for vermeil. We mentioned earlier that gold plated jewelry can also be over a silver base so you may be wondering what’s the difference between the two? Well, by U.S. standards to be considered vermeil the gold must be  at least 2.5 microns thick, at least 10K or higher and MUST have silver as it’s base. So you can see why this is a higher value option from gold plate. Even though vermeil has a thicker coating of gold we still recommend proper care for long term use, as vermeil is still vulnerable to wear and tear if poorly treated. 

Summary Of Vermeil Jewelry: 

Main Pro’s: 

• Also affordable, it may cost a little more than gold plate, however with a more flexible budget you can be the owner of a gorgeous piece of vermeil jewelry. 
• Has a beautiful thick layer of electroplated gold of at least 10K or higher over a silver base. 
• Composed with two precious metals
• It is also easy to care for.

Main Con: 

• May tarnish without proper care.

Now for gold filled. We hope you are enjoying this information so far. Unlike gold plated and vermeil jewelry, gold filled is formed in a completely different way. Instead of plating, the gold is bonded with heat and pressure usually in two or three layers over a brass base. The U.S standard for gold fill jewelry is 5% gold alloy which is 1/20 gold karat weight. The 5% gold alloy is expressed in karats such as 14K, 18K, etc. With gold filled jewelry you don’t have to worry about the gold peeling away after a long time since the gold is bonded to the base metal. It’s safe to get wet, however we do recommend avoiding waters with chemicals. If it gets dirty you can simply clean it with water and mild soap, so the maintenance is simple. It wears like solid gold, yet it is more affordable and is durable enough to last for decades. It may be one to consider for anyone who has a little extra to spend and is suitable for those who are more active. Gold filled is also a great option for those who are allergic to certain metals. The wearer won't need to worry about having a reaction to any metals they may be sensitive to.

Main Pro’s: 

• Has a similar look and desired properties as solid gold.
• Durable and can last for years. 
• It is safe for people who are allergic to certain metals and will not cause any reactions. 
• Great choice for active people and everyday wear.
• Requires very little maintenance .

Main Con: 

• Price may be higher than vermeil at times.
• Although very rare, it may tarnish if the wrong chemical is left on the surface for a long period of time

Now finally, we will talk about solid gold. Solid gold is normally the highest in price. This is due to its brilliant color, durability and gold purity. Gold purity is measured in karats with 24K being the maximum. Also the higher the karat the more yellow the gold will appear. The more pure the gold however, the softer it is, and the more easily it is to get scratched. This is the case with 24K gold. So in order to strengthen gold and make it more structural sound for everyday wear, it is mixed with other metal alloys. So 18K is 18 parts gold out of 24 karats and 6 parts alloy. 14K is 14 parts gold out of 24 Karats with 10 parts alloy and so on. We would say 14K is the most balanced since it is not too soft, yet still contains a high amount of gold.

Main Pro’s: 

• Most valuable.
• Purest form of gold and brilliance.
• Will not chip or fade away from exposure to moisture and heat. 
• It is safe for people who are allergic to certain metals and will not cause any reactions. 
• Great choice for active people and everyday wear.
• No maintenance needed, however a light polishing once in a while is fine.

Main Con: 

• The most pure forms of gold such as 24K will scratch more easily.