Gold filled vs gold vermeil vs gold plated, these three metal types have small differences that set them apart from each other. Delving into these differences between gold filled, gold plated, and gold vermeil is vital for choosing the right metal for your next favorite piece of jewelry. From base metal, to the thickness and karat of the gold, we'll guide you through the features all of these gold types boast.
What Does Gold Filled Mean?
Despite its name, gold filled jewelry (also referred to as "rolled gold") is not actually filled with gold. Rather it consists of a cheaper base metal, such as brass or copper, that is covered in sheets of gold. These gold sheets are bonded to the base metal using a mechanical process involving heat. Once this process has taken place you are left with jewelry covered in a thick layer of gold that usually constitutes 5% of its weight. When comparing gold filled vs gold plated, gold plated normally consists of less than 0.05% of its weight in gold.
Creating gold jewelry from this metal as the thick gold layer makes it hard wearing and resistant to tranishing. Compared to solid gold, it is also a far more affordable option.