Gold Plated Jewelry VS Gold Filled Jewelry

You would come across many different terms if you have decided to get “golden” jewelry. The most popular choices among the wholesale buyers usually are solid gold, gold plated and gold filled. Therefore, to get the considerate and informed jewelry collection, it is important to know the difference between gold plated jewelry and gold filled jewelry.

What does gold plated and gold filled mean

Gold plated: Gold-plated jewelry is created using an electro-chemical process that places a layer of Gold on copper, brass, or some other base metal. The thickness of the Gold used in plating usually determines the price of the piece.

Gold filled: Gold filled is an actual layer of gold-pressure bonded to another metal. Gold filled is not to be confused with gold plating as filled literally has 100% more gold than gold plating.

The estimate value of the gold plated jewelry and gold filled jewelry

Gold plated jewelry: How long the gold plated jewelry will last for its luster depends on the how thick the plating layers are. The coating of the gold plated jewelry will eventually peel off because it reacts to the wearer’s skin salts or pollutants in the air. Of course, you can find them inexpensive and have been regarded as the necessary items for the wholesale collection.

Gold filled: Generally speaking, gold filled jewelry is much more valuable than gold plated jewelry and they have good tarnish resistant. They cannot flake off, rub off and turn colors easily and they have been regarded as an economic alternative to solid gold, so that they are always considered as lifetime products without having the gold layers worn off.

Gold plated jewelry or gold filled jewelry?

After knowing the difference between the gold plated jewelry and gold filled jewelry, you may wonder which one should be chosen. Definitely, there are so many factors influencing you, but let’s see pros and cons of both.

Gold plated jewelry is more affordable and looks like just real gold as well as very durable while they can also tarnish, chip and can peel off easily for many occasions.

Gold filled jewelry on the contrary is more expensive than the plated jewelry but they can make the piece last at least 10 years with regular wear and even gold merchants will take it as scrap and get the gold out of it. It is also safer for those with metal allergies.

How to care for the gold plated jewelry and gold filled jewelry

Though there are much difference between gold plated jewelry and gold filled jewelry, they can be maintained in the same way. That is to make frequent cleaning. Use the soft and clean cloth to keep it clean and free of elements which oxide. If it is necessary, get them to the professionals to restore the shine of the gold jewelry.

Conclusion

Gold plated jewelry and gold filled jewelry offers an easy way for you to get the shine of the real gold. Now that you have known the main differences between them, it is possible for you to make a cost-effective wholesale collection with taking the prices, quality and the fashion trends into the consideration. Hope this will help you! Good luck!

How to Determine if Your Jewelry is Gold Plated or Solid Gold

As the “golden jewelry” becomes prevalent choice for so many countries in the world, you have probably come across the jewelry that is described as “gold”, “gold filled”, and “gold plated”. It is important to know the difference between these common phrases, because not all the “gold” is created equal. This article is going to tell you that how to determine if your jewelry is gold plated or solid gold.

What is solid gold and gold plated jewelry?

Solid gold: Gold is an element, which means that truly solid gold is made up of just gold metal. Because pure gold can be extremely soft for a metal, so it is often mixed with other metals, creating an alloy that is stronger than the pure gold. This level of purity is referred to as 24 karat gold, which is usually denoted by a "24k" marking. Solid gold will not tarnish, which is an important reason to explain that why it is so highly prized for jewelry and other ornaments.

Gold plating: Gold plating is a process that uses electricity or chemicals to deposit and bond an extremely thin layer of gold onto another metal. Most often is copper and silver, which can give the jewelry the look of gold even though it is primarily made up of another more affordable metal, which is why most gold plated jewelry items are significantly less expensive than solid gold or other gold alloy items. Of course, higher quality gold plating process can also make the jewelry shinning for a long time.

Instructions to determine if your jewelry is gold plated or solid gold

1. Try to weight your jewelry. Generally speaking, solid gold jewelry is heavier than jewelry that is gold plated. Therefore, it is an easy and good way for you to get the right jewelry types through their weight.

2. Identify the marks on the jewelry. If your jewelry is gold plated, there you can find the letters HGE or RGE marks on your jewelry. While the solid gold jewelry will carry a “maker’s mark”, which indicates the karat of the jewelry. But it is not absolutely suitable for all, so it is advised that you ask your supplier before purchases.

3. Use the nitric acid to test. Normally, the gold jewelry has no reaction to the nitric acid. If the jewelry appears to be different when having the nitric acid applied to the scratch, then it is gold plated. Of course, you can also buy an electric gold jewelry tester, which is more precise.

Conclusion:

To be sure that what you are getting is what you are paying for, there do have so many ways for you to make a test. You can follow the methods provided above. But to have a more rest-assured purchasing experience, we suggest that you buy the gold jewelry from the reliable and reputable jewelry supplier. Why not take time to know about Viennois-online and have a try? Good luck to your wholesale collection!