Solid Gold, Gold Plated and Gold Filled: The Real Difference
Three very different things are sold as gold jewellery. Only one of them holds meaningful metal value, and the difference is not always obvious in a photograph.
Solid gold is a gold alloy the whole way through. Gold filled has a layer of gold mechanically bonded over a base metal core. Gold plated has a microscopically thin gold coating. Only the first holds meaningful metal value.
Key takeaways
- Solid gold is gold alloy throughout, and carries a karat mark such as 14K or 18K.
- Gold filled has a bonded gold layer, thicker than plating but still a layer.
- Gold plated is a coating measured in microns, which wears away with use.
- Only solid gold has a recoverable metal value worth calculating.
- Under the Precious Metals Marking Act, no mark may guarantee that plating will wear for a period of time.
What Vanhess does and does not do
Vanhess is a jewellery shop in Coquitlam, British Columbia. We sell solid gold jewellery. We do not sell bullion, bars, coins or wafers, we do not buy or broker investments, and we are not financial advisors, tax advisors or a bullion dealer. Everything on this page is general information to help you understand how gold is priced and valued. It is not financial, investment or tax advice. Speak to a licensed advisor or an accountant before making a decision about your money.
The three, side by side
| Solid gold | Gold filled | Gold plated | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Gold alloy throughout | Bonded gold layer over base metal | Thin gold coating over base metal |
| Typical marking | 14K, 18K, 585, 750 | GF, 14/20, 1/20 14K | GP, plated, vermeil |
| Recoverable metal value | Yes, calculable from weight and karat | Very little | Effectively none |
| How it fails | Scratches and thins over decades | Wears through eventually at contact points | Rubs through, often within months |
| Good for | Pieces worn daily and kept for years | Everyday costume pieces at lower cost | Fashion pieces for a season |
How to tell them apart
The marking is the first clue. Solid gold carries a karat mark on its own. A mark with extra letters after it usually means a layer rather than solid metal: GF for gold filled, GP or GEP for gold plated, and vermeil for gold over sterling silver.
The second clue is wear. Plating fails at the points that rub, so look at the inside of a ring band, the back of a clasp, and the edges of links. A different colour showing through means a layer has worn away, and that tells you what the piece really is.
Be careful
Weight is not a reliable test on its own. Base metals used under plating can be dense enough to feel convincing, and a hollow solid gold piece can feel surprisingly light. If it matters, have the piece tested properly.
None of this makes plated jewellery bad
Plated jewellery lets people wear designs they could not otherwise afford, and for a piece worn occasionally that is a perfectly reasonable trade. The problem is only when it is sold, or bought, as though it holds value. It does not. Buy it for how it looks, expect it to wear, and do not think of it as gold you own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gold filled the same as solid gold?
No. Gold filled has a layer of gold mechanically bonded to a base metal core. It is much thicker and more durable than plating, but it is still a layer over a different metal, so its recoverable gold value is very small compared with a solid piece of the same size.
How long does gold plating last?
It depends entirely on thickness and how the piece is worn. Rings and bracelets rub constantly and lose plating fastest. Earrings and pendants last much longer. Under the Precious Metals Marking Act, a mark may not guarantee that plating will wear for a period of time, which tells you how variable it is.
Can gold plated jewellery be sold for scrap?
Not meaningfully. The gold coating is measured in microns and the recoverable amount from a single piece is negligible. Refiners work with plated material in bulk industrial quantities, not from individual items.
What does vermeil mean?
Vermeil is gold plating over a sterling silver base rather than a base metal. The silver underneath does have its own value, so vermeil holds more than ordinary plating, but far less than a solid gold piece.
Read next
Solid gold, plainly made
Pieces where the metal is the largest share of what you pay.
14KClassic Bangle
A plain solid bangle: most of what you pay for is metal you can weigh.
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14KByzantine Emperor Flat Chain
A heavy flat link chain, the classic hold-its-weight piece.
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14KClassic Stacking Band
A plain stacking band with no stones to complicate a resale.
$380.00Vanhess sells gold jewellery. We do not sell bullion, bars or coins, and nothing here is financial or tax advice.