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

If you've been browsing jewellery, you've probably wondered what the different terms of Gold mean.  What is Gold Filled, Gold Vermeil and how do they compare to gold plated or solid gold? Understanding the difference 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.

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

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

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 for everyday wear.

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.

In short, gold filled strikes a perfect balance between quality and affordability—ideal if you want the beauty of gold without the hefty price tag of solid pieces.