There are so many different types of gold jewellery out there and it can be confusing and frustrating knowing the differences between one another – gold plated, gold vermeil, and solid gold. Knowing the terms and differences is key to helping you understand what jewellery you are dealing with. At House of Jewellery Toronto, we care about what materials we use, so we felt it was right to explain the difference between one another.
What is Solid Gold?
Gold has been popular for centuries and worn by people in about every design imaginable. Pure gold (24K) is too soft and malleable to wear in jewellery, so the gold must be alloyed with other metals to give it more durability and strength. Here are some more facts about solid gold:
- Highest cost, best quality
- Good for all skin types
- Great for everyday wear
To measure the purity of gold, we have to use the karat system. In the diagram above, 24K is the purest level of gold. It is not often worn as jewellery but mostly meant for investment. 14K gold is 14 parts out of 10 gold or about 58% pure gold. 10K is 10 parts pure gold and 14 parts other metals which is roughly 41% pure. There are other existing karats such as 9K or 22K but 24K, 18K, 14K and 10K are the most common karats. Please note that different countries have different minimums that must be met. For example, the requirements differ depending on the country, but in Canada, the government states the gold must be at least 10K in quality and 1 micrometer (0.001mm) in thickness.
What is Gold Plated jewellery?
Gold plating is the process of covering a base or a precious metal in a layer of gold. The thickness and karat of gold varies depending on the country. Here in Canada, the gold must be at least 10K in quality and 1 micrometer (0.001mm) in thickness. Since the gold plating is very thin, it can easily rub off. It is also likely to tarnish when exposed to water, perfume or any liquids or chemicals. However, gold plating is a good option for jewellery if you are going out just for an occasion or trying out new trends. Here are some more facts about gold plating:
- Lowest cost
- Won’t last long; eventually tarnishing
- May irritate different skins
What is Gold Vermeil?
Gold vermeil, (pronounced ver-may) is heavy gold plating over sterling silver. The Canadian government stated that gold must be at least 10K quality and 1 micrometer in thickness. Sterling silver is always the base metal for vermeil jewellery. At House of Jewellery, our pieces are plated with a gold layer that’s 2.5 microns thick and 14K in quality, making them closer to vermeil than plated. Gold vermeil has a thicker layer of gold than normal gold plating. However, if worn for a long period of time the plating can wear off. If you want to learn more about gold vermeil, visit our dedicated vermeil page here.
If you are a jewellery wholesale in Canada and have any more questions regarding the materials that we used and how we use them, please feel free to contact us at info@houseofjewellery.com to find out more.
