Metals: Gold, Gold Plated. Gold Filled, Vermeil and Sterling Silver 925

Here’s a breakdown of the differences between gold, gold-plated, gold-filled, vermeil, and sterling 925 silver based on composition, durability, and cost.

1. Gold

• Composition: Pure gold (24K) is too soft for most jewelry, so items mixed with other metals to create alloys:
  • 18K Gold - 75% gold, 25% other metals
  • 14K Gold - 58.3% gold, 41.7% other metals
  • 10K Gold - 41.7% gold, 58.3% other metals
• Durability: Higher karats (18K, 24K) are softer and scratch more easily, while lower karats (10K, 14K) are more durable.
• Cost: The most expensive due to high gold content.

2. Gold-Plated

• Composition: A thin layer of gold (less than 0.05% of total weight) electroplated onto a base metal like brass or copper.
• Durability: The gold layer is very thin and wears off quickly, exposing the base metal. Tarnishes easily.
• Cost: The cheapest option, but also the least durable.

3. Gold-Filled

• Composition: A thick layer of gold (usually 14K or 12K) mechanically bonded to a base metal (usually brass). The gold layer must be at least 5% of the items total weight by U.S. standards.
• Durability: More resistant to wear than gold-plated jewelry and can last for years with proper care.
• Cost: More expensive than gold-plated but much more affordable than solid gold.

4. Vermeil (Gold Vermeil)

• Composition: Sterling silver (925) electroplated with gold (usually 10K or higher). The gold layer must be at least 2.5 microns thick by U.S. standards.
• Durability: More durable than regular gold plating but less durable than gold-filled jewelry. Over time, the gold layer can wear off, revealing the sterling silver beneath.
• Cost: More expensive than gold-plated but typically cheaper than gold-filled, making it a good mid-range option.

5. Sterling 925 Silver

• Composition: 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% other metals (usually copper) to improve strength.
• Durability: Stronger than pure silver but prone to tarnishing. However, it can be easily polished.
• Cost: More expensive than gold-plated and some gold-filled pieces but cheaper than solid gold.

Summary of Differences

Summary of Differences