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Solid gold vs gold-filled vs plated: what you're paying for
Three very different things wear the word "gold". Here is the difference.
Short version: Solid gold is gold throughout, gold-filled has a thick bonded layer that lasts years, and gold-plated is a microscopic coating that wears off. Price follows durability.
The three tiers
- Solid gold (10k–18k) — gold all the way through; karat = purity. Most expensive, never wears off, holds value.
- Gold-filled — a thick gold layer pressure-bonded to a base metal (legally a real percentage of weight). Lasts years, resists tarnish, a fraction of solid-gold price. The value sweet spot.
- Gold-plated / vermeil — a very thin electroplated layer. Cheapest, but it rubs off over months; vermeil (plating over sterling silver) is a step up.
Which to buy
Everyday pieces you'll wear constantly: solid gold or gold-filled. Trend pieces or occasional wear: plated is fine. Check the listing's exact term before buying — "gold" alone tells you nothing.
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