Article - Gold - Plated, Filled, Rolled, Vermeil, Overlay

No matter how many new metals and materials appear in the jewelry market, people will never feel tired of gold. The lust for gold is caused by...
... the fact that gold is eternal. This metal will never rust or corrode. 


The beauty of gold, represented in a variety of colours, makes people fall in love with it. On the other hand, it will cost you. Thus the romance turns into money matters. However, don’t be in a hurry to make your pillow wet with your desperate tears. Would you like to save on buying trendy gold? There’s a fabulous alternative that looks like karat gold but cost much cheaper and it’s real gold, not fake one.


Gold plated jewellery:
Gold plating is the term used to describe the process of plating jewellery made of non-precious base metal (zinc, nickel, copper) with a thin layer of gold, which is depositing their by electrochemical methods. As it was said the layer is very thin and thus easy to scratch. It also naturally wears thin with time, exposing the metal below. So it is better not to wear gold plated jewellery every day.


Pros: Low price
Cons:  The gold film wears off pretty soon because of polishing and exposure to skin salts 


Gold filled jewellery:
Gold filled jewellery (also called ‘gold overlay’ or ‘rolled gold plated’) consists of several mechanically bonded layers. A non-precious base is covered with the outside layer of at least 10 Karat gold. Manufacturers usually mark their gold filled jewellery with fractions that show the relative amount of gold in proportion to base metal in a given piece, so you know what you buy. So decide what your priority is, the price or durability. If you want to wear the jewellery pretty often, opt for gold filled pieces.


Pros: This alternative has the longest lifespan of all the three.
Cons: The price of gold filled jewelry is usually higher than that of the previous alternative 


Vermeil Jewelry:
Vermeil is a more expensive version of gold plated jewelry. It consists of a sterling silver base that is coated or plated with gold. And again, if the longest lifespan is in the first place for you, your option is vermeil or gold filled jewelry.


Pros: Vermeil jewelry wears off less than gold plated one
Cons: No wonder that the price is also high. And you should be aware that although the sterling silver layer is covered with gold, it might tarnish and thus darken the gold layer.