What's the Difference Between Types of Gold?

Real gold or fools gold? Here's how to tell the difference...

Just because something looks gold - doesn't mean it is! Here's a 30 second rundown...

1. Solid Gold: Solid gold jewellery is made entirely of one type of gold alloy. It comes in various purity levels from 9k up to 24k. It's durable and doesn't tarnish, but it is pricier due to its high gold content. This is what we use at Vienna. 

2. Gold Plated: Gold-plated jewellery is crafted by coating a base metal with a thin layer of gold. It's a budget-friendly option with a variety of designs, but will wear, fade or turn green over time.

3. Gold Filled: Gold-filled jewellery involves bonding a thicker layer of gold to a base metal core. It's more durable than gold-plated and less likely to tarnish - but will over time.

4. Vermeil: Vermeil refers to gold plating over sterling silver, providing a thicker layer of gold. 

In summary, your choice of gold jewellery depends on your style, budget, and intended use. If you prefer to swap out your pieces often and don't mind that they won't last long, gold plating or gold filled could be good options for you. 

If you'd prefer something timeless that holds its value, check out some of our solid gold pieces here.

As always, I look forward to answering any questions you may have!

Mike

Vienna Jewellery

Back to blog