Solid Gold, Gold Filled, Gold Vermeil or Gold Plated?

If you've been browsing jewellery, you've probably wondered what the different terms for Gold mean.  What is Gold Filled, Gold Vermeil and how do they compare to gold plated or solid gold? Understanding the differences can help you make better choices when shopping for beautiful, long-lasting pieces.

First things first...

Solid Gold

Solid gold jewellery is made entirely of gold alloy — not just coated or layered.
Because pure gold (24 karat) is too soft for daily wear, it’s mixed with other metals like silver, copper, or zinc to make it stronger.
The number before the “karat” tells you how much pure gold is in the mix:

  • 24k: 99.9% pure gold — rich yellow, but very soft.

  • 18k: 75% pure gold — luxurious colour, great balance of purity and strength.

  • 14k: 58.3% pure gold — durable and ideal for everyday wear.

  • 9k (UK standard): 37.5% pure gold — the most affordable “real gold” option.

We look forward to bringing some Solid Gold pieces to Sienna Nicole very soon!

Gold Filled 

Gold filled jewellery is created by mechanically bonding a thick layer of gold to a base metal—usually brass—using heat and pressure. The gold layer must make up at least 5% of the item’s total weight, which is significantly more than gold plated jewellery, where the gold content is minimal and often wears off quickly. Because of this, gold filled jewellery is much more durable and more resistant to tarnish or fading, making it a fantastic option.

While it’s not solid gold, gold filled has the appearance and feel of high-end jewellery, often at a fraction of the price. It’s also considered safe for most people with sensitive skin, as the thick layer of gold prevents exposure to the base metal underneath.

Its worth noting that Gold Filled chains have a warm orangey colour.

Gold Vermeil

Gold vermeil (pronounced ver-may) is sterling silver coated with a thick layer of gold — To be called Gold Vermeil it must be coated to at least 2.5 microns thick under UK and US standards.  

Because the base is real silver, vermeil is considered a premium option compared to standard gold plating. It gives you the shine of gold with the added reassurance of a precious metal underneath.

Gold Vermeil has a bright rich yellow colour and we do not create pieces uaing anything coated with less that 2.5 microns.  

Gold-Plated

Gold-plated jewellery is made by applying a very thin layer of gold — usually less than 0.5 microns — over a base metal such as brass or stainless steel.

It looks beautiful when new and is the most affordable option but is the least durable of all the gold options. That being said at Sienna Nicole we do not use Gold-Plated components in any of our jewellery as we want to produce durable pieces for you. 

What about tarnishing?

Solid gold- 24k lasts a lifetime (and beyond). It won’t tarnish or rub off, and it holds its value.

What is not widely understood is that all other karats of gold are alloyed with other metals therefore tarnishing may occur over time and when exposed to the wrong things. 

The higher the karat of jewellery the less likely it will be to tarnish.  

Common causes of tarnishing are-

  • perfume, hair sprays etc
  • differing body chemistries
  • oxidisation
  • cleaning agents
  • swimming and showering in your jewellery

Looking after your jewellery and storing it correctly are the best ways to avoid tarnishing. 

Please see our care guide for information on this!

Final Thoughts

Choosing between these gold types depends on what matters most to you — budget, longevity, or luxury.

If you’re after heirloom quality, go for solid gold.

If you want durability without the price tag and a warm colour, gold-filled is ideal.

For a fine premium jewellery look on a modest budget, Vermeil is a beautiful choice.

Happy shopping!

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