And Why Gold Filled Might Be Your New Gifting Secret Weapon

If you’ve ever fallen in love with a gorgeous piece of jewelry only to look at the price tag and feel your soul leave your body… welcome. You’re in good company.  With the rising price of solid gold, many of my clients are asking for something more affordable.  

As a private gemologist, I hear this all the time:
“Kat, I want the look and feel of real gold without the high-dollar commitment.”

Let’s have a look at two popular options: Gold Plated and Gold Filled.

While they sound similar, they’re actually worlds apart in quality, longevity, and how beautifully they wear.

Gold Plated Jewelry: Cute but Temporary

Gold plated pieces are like a first date with great chemistry but questionable long-term potential.  Gold plated jewelry is often referred to as “costume jewelry” or “fashion jewelry”.

Here’s what’s actually going on:

• A very thin layer of gold is electroplated onto a base metal.
• That layer is often so thin you could sneeze it off.
• It’s great for trend pieces, but not ideal for everyday wear.

What this means…

Gold plated jewelry looks beautiful at first, but it’s prone to fading, tarnishing, and losing its color, especially when exposed to sweat, lotions, water, or your favorite perfume.

If you love changing up your style often, plated pieces aren’t a crime… but they’re not the most dependable.

Gold Filled Jewelry: The Hidden Hero You’ve Been Waiting For

Now let’s talk gold filled. Gold filled is the middle ground between plated and solid gold which most people don’t even know exists (but absolutely should).

Gold filled jewelry has:

• A thick, mechanically bonded layer of real gold
• Up to 100x more gold than gold plated
• A durability that holds up beautifully to everyday life

This is why gold filled is a fantastic alternative to solid gold.

It wears like real gold, looks like real gold, and here’s the best part, it actually contains real gold.

Because of the bonding process, the gold doesn’t just “sit” on the surface… it becomes part of the metal.

What this means…

• It doesn’t flake
• It doesn’t peel
• It doesn’t vanish after a summer of sweat and sunscreen

Gold filled pieces stand the test of time and still look luxe without the solid gold price tag.

The Price Point Sweet Spot (Especially for Gifts)

Let’s be honest, when you’re gifting jewelry, you want that wow moment without needing to take out a small loan.

This is where gold filled really shines (pun absolutely intended).

You get:

• A higher-quality, long-lasting piece
• The appearance of solid gold
• A price that feels refreshingly reasonable

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, bridal gift, or just because, gold filled jewelry lets you give something meaningful without compromising on beauty or durability.

So… Which Should You Choose?

Here’s the quick cheat sheet:

Gold Plated

• Best for fashion pieces
• Affordable
• Not meant for everyday wear
• Fades quickly

Gold Filled

• Contains real gold
• Durable and long-lasting
• Looks like solid gold
• Perfect for gifting
• Not as inexpensive as plated (but totally worth the upgrade)

Final Verdict from Your Gemologist

If you’re looking for jewelry you can wear every day, won’t tarnish after one too many hand washes, and feels luxurious without the solid gold price…

Gold filled wins every time!

It’s the sweet spot between beauty, value, and longevity. And honestly, one of the best-kept secrets in the jewelry world.

Connect with me to help choose the perfect gold filled or solid gold piece.