It’s not as simple as it seems to shop for gold jewellery. Even though it’s crucial, picking the proper design is only one aspect of the process. But you must also decide what kind of gold jewellery you wish to purchase.
When the salesperson in a jewellery store asks if you like gold-plated or gold-vermeil jewellery, you might feel a little perplexed. You might be curious as to why solid gold jewellery costs more than gold-filled accessories. Even though gold is one of the priciest metals, not all gold jewellery has a hefty price tag. You must first familiarise yourself with the 4 varieties of gold jewellery if you want to ensure that you receive your money’s worth.
Gold jewellery types
Jewellery made of gold is made using 4 different techniques: solid gold, gold plated, gold filled, and gold vermeil.
Gold Plated Jewellery
As the name suggests, this is the process of applying a layer of gold utilising a chemical deposition or an electroplating solution to a base metal, such as nickel, copper, or aluminium. Since gold plating contains the least quantity of gold, it is usually the most affordable type of jewellery. The cost of the ear cuffs jewellery that you intend to buy will depend on how thick the gold layer is. Costume jewellery typically has a coating that is 1 micron or thinner. Higher-end designer or brand jewellery may contain a layer of gold that is 2-4 microns thick.
Does gold plating tarnish with time? Yes, it does, especially if the gold plating is thin. This is the major flaw of this gold jewellery type. The good thing is that if this occurs, you may quickly have it replated by a manufacturing jeweller.
Gold Vermeil Jewellery
Gold vermeil or vermeil jewellery is just gold-plated jewellery. It has a base metal made of pure or sterling silver that is extensively plated in gold. The gold used must be at least 10ct pure and the coating should be 2.5 microns thick. Gold vermeil doesn’t tarnish at all. Silver, though, can tarnish. Over time, the gold layer may become soiled and fade. The jewellery might discolour once the core metal has been revealed. The plating may be preserved and the finish can be kept from fading with regular, careful cleaning with a soft cloth.
Gold Filled Jewellery
A gold-filled piece of jewellery does not have a layer of gold on it as gold vermeil jewellery does. Instead, a base metal core is covered with a thick layer of gold and subjected to intense pressure to permanently bond the two. Gold must weigh 1/20th of the overall mass of the metal content, in order for something to be deemed gold-filled. Because of this, some gold-filled jewellery is marked as 1/20 gold. Gold-filled jewellery pieces are often 5 to 10 times thicker compared to gold-plated jewellery. The predicted lifespan of these items is between 10 and 30 years.
Does jewellery made of gold-fill tarnish? Although it happens infrequently, this kind of gold jewellery can nevertheless discolour. It would take extremely high quantities of chemical sulphide vapours, such as those found in a nail salon, to blacken the gold.
Solid Gold Jewellery
Solid gold jewellery is the most desirable and expensive sort of gold jewellery. But the word “solid” is a misnomer since an item made entirely of gold would be extremely expensive to produce and overly soft. Jewellers combine gold with other metals to provide jewellery structure and durability for these reasons. The price of the stylish daily wear gold earrings that you buy will depend on how much gold is present in the alloy. The price will increase in direct proportion to the amount of gold present.
Solid gold jewellery is your best option if you want something that will endure and that you can pass down to future generations. The items with gold finishes are preferable if you just want some stylish things for everyday wear.