When you shop online for jewellery, you always hear “gold-plated, gold palladium, solid gold but white gold plated, etc.” But what are all those things? Which one is the best suited for you? Let us explain all these variations and why we chose to make our jewellery out of 14k solid gold.
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Gold Plated / Gold Vermeil Jewellery |
Gold Filled Jewellery |
Solid Gold Jewellery |
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What is... |
Gold plating is a process where a thin layer of real gold is added to a base metal like silver, copper, nickel, or brass using an electrochemical method. When silver is coated with gold, it's called gold vermeil or silver gilt. The gold layer is super thin—usually between 0.5 and 2.5 microns thick (for reference, a sheet of paper is about 70 microns thick). Although it is an affordable option if you are looking for “gold-looking” jewellery, it is very prone to tarnish. If you are looking for a piece of gold jewellery that your children can inherit, you should opt for “solid gold”. |
Gold-filled jewellery is a thicker and more durable option than regular gold plating, with a base metal (usually brass) covered in at least 2 microns of gold. Instead of using electroplating, this process mechanically bonds a layer of gold to the metal, which is why it’s also called rolled gold or gold bonded. To be considered gold-filled, at least 5% of the jewellery’s weight must be solid gold, making it a longer-lasting choice. However, it’s still a type of plating that can wear away over time, and if you're allergic to the base metals, you might experience skin irritation as the gold layer fades. |
Solid gold jewellery is made entirely of gold, inside and out, meaning it won’t fade or wear down over time. Gold purity is measured in karats, with 24K being pure gold (99.999%) and lower karats containing a mix of gold and other metals for added strength. Most solid gold jewellery isn’t pure gold because gold on its own is too soft for everyday wear. Instead, it’s mixed with metals like copper, silver, or nickel to create different gold shades like yellow, rose, and white. The most common options are 10K, 14K, and 18K, with 14K and 18K being the most popular for fine jewellery. |
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Durability |
6-12 months |
10 years |
Generations |
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Repair |
Cannot be repaired |
Cannot be repaired |
Can be repaired by a local jeweller or by the original craftsman of the item |
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Allergies |
Can be very allergic depending on the base material |
Can be very allergic depending on the base material |
Is not allergic (please see the "14k Solid White Gold" section of this blog |
Gold-plated jewellery is more prone to wear and tear, and while it can still be pricey, the actual gold content is quite low.
What Is Gold Karat?
A gold karat is 1/24 part, or 4.1667 per cent, of the whole, and the purity of a gold alloy is expressed as the number of these parts of gold it contains. Thus, an object that contains 16 parts gold and 8 parts alloying metal is 16-karat gold, and pure gold is 24-karat gold.
What Is 14k Solid White Gold?
White gold is made by mixing 24K gold (75%) with white metals like nickel, palladium, or silver (25%), which are called alloys. These metals lighten the gold’s colour, but even with them, white gold isn’t truly white—it’s more of a light grey. The bright, shiny white colour people love actually comes from a layer of rhodium plating, which gives white gold its beautiful finish!
What Is 14k Solid Rose Gold?
Rose gold is created by mixing pure gold with copper and silver alloys, and the amount of each metal determines its final colour. That’s why some rose gold looks lighter, some look pinker, and some have a deeper, redder tone. The more copper used, the redder the gold appears, while more silver makes it lighter and softer in colour!
Why 14K Solid Gold?
We chose 14K gold for our designs because it’s the perfect balance of beauty, durability, and affordability! With 58.3% pure gold, it has a rich colour and is stronger than 18K gold, making it more resistant to scratches and everyday wear. It’s also more affordable than 18K gold while still feeling luxurious, which is why it's such a popular choice. Plus, 14K gold is widely available in a variety of styles, so you can always find something that fits your taste. We’re so excited to be offering new styles in solid 14K gold and can’t wait for you to enjoy pieces that last for years—even generations!