GOLD FILLED VS. GOLD PLATED

At Hera Jewels, we believe in transparency and providing our clients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their jewelry purchases. Understanding the differences between gold, gold-plated, gold-filled, and vermeil metals is essential.

We choose to use gold-filled precious metals in our pieces because of its quality and because it won't break the bank, making it more accessible for everyone. The gold-filled pieces we use at Hera Jewels are of the highest quality and made in the USA. They offer the beauty and elegance of gold at a more affordable price point without compromising on longevity or sustainability.

In certain instances, such as sourcing charms, we use vermeil. Vermeil is a specific type of gold-plating where the base metal is sterling silver, and the gold layer is thicker than standard gold-plated jewelry. This ensures a higher quality and longer-lasting piece. We carefully select vermeil charms when we are unable to source gold-filled options, always prioritizing quality and craftsmanship.

At Hera Jewels, we are committed to creating jewelry that reflects our values of sustainability, conscious craftsmanship, and uncompromising quality. We want our clients to feel confident in their jewelry choices, knowing that each piece is thoughtfully made with the best materials available. We will always be transparent with each and every single item on our site so you know exactly what you're getting.

Here's a solid breakdown on all the different metals:

Gold

Gold is a precious metal known for its beauty and value. Solid gold jewelry is made entirely of gold and is obviously the highest quality option. However, solid gold is also costly and may not always be accessible for everyone.

Gold-Plated

Gold-plated jewelry consists of a base metal like brass for example is most commonly used, coated with a thin layer of gold. While it offers an affordable option to achieve the look of gold, the gold layer can wear off over time, revealing the base metal underneath. We at Hera Jewels choose not to work with gold-plated metals as they do not align with our commitment to quality and longevity.

Gold-Filled

Gold-filled jewelry, on the other hand, is a durable and sustainable alternative. It consists of solid 14kt gold that is heat and pressure bonded to a center core of high quality jeweler’s brass. With proper care, 14kt gold fill will last just as long as solid 14kt gold. Gold-filled pieces can still tarnish, but it takes special circumstances for that to happen. Pure gold doesn’t tarnish, so the thick layer of 14kt gold on gold-filled pieces prevents tarnishing.

Gold-filled jewelry has 100x more gold alloy than gold plated and because that layer is so much thicker, it means gold-filled jewelry lasts longer and stands up to wear and tear better than gold plated. All it would take is one small scratch on a gold-plated piece to expose the jeweler's brass underneath.

24k Gold Overlay (Something new we've added to our collection to offer you high quality gold-plated jewelry at a more affordable price than gold-filled)

Gold Overlay jewelry is produced by applying an average of 20 to 30 mils of 24kt gold onto the surface of our high quality brass based chain, charms and components utilizing an advanced acid gold Electro-Depositing process. Unlike basic decorative (cyanide) gold electroplated costume jewelry, Gold Overlay jewelry may be worn all the time. It has on average 5-7 times the thickness of most costume jewelry. Acid gold is a harder gold plating formula that was pioneered by the electronics industry which produces a durable finish. Unlike basic decorative gold electroplated jewelry, jewelry that is finished with an acid gold application has excellent long term wearing qualities.

Our Gold Overlay jewelry is manufactured to produce in our opinion the finest alternative to solid 14kt jewelry.

LETS BREAK THIS DOWN EVEN FURTHER::

What are base metals?

Base metal refers to any metal that is not classified as a precious metal. It typically refers to common metals such as copper, brass, bronze, zinc, nickel, or steel. Base metals are widely used in various industries for their durability, affordability, and specific properties. In jewelry making, base metals are often used as the underlying material or alloy on which precious metals like gold, silver, or platinum are plated or layered.-Base metal refers to any metal that is not classified as a precious metal. It typically refers to common metals such as copper, brass, bronze, zinc, nickel, or steel. Base metals are widely used in the jewelry industry for their affordability. In jewelry making, base metals are often used as the underlying material or alloy on which precious metals like gold, silver, or platinum are plated.

FTC GUIDELINES:

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides guidelines for the minimum amount of gold required to be used in jewelry to be labeled as gold-plated, gold-filled, or vermeil. Here's a general breakdown:

Gold-Plated:

According to FTC guidelines, gold-plated jewelry must have a minimum thickness of 0.5 microns and a gold content of at least 0.5% of the total metal weight.

Gold-Filled:

For jewelry to be labeled as gold-filled, it must have a thicker layer of gold than gold-plated. The FTC requires that gold-filled jewelry have a minimum thickness of 5% or 1/20th of the total weight of the item. This means that the gold layer is significantly thicker and more durable than in gold-plated jewelry. It may not sound like a lot, but trust us, it makes a HUGE difference!

Vermeil:

Vermeil is specifically used to describe gold-plated jewelry with a 925 sterling silver base. According to FTC guidelines, vermeil jewelry must have a minimum gold thickness of 2.5 microns and a gold content of at least 10 karats. This makes it a higher quality option compared to standard gold-plated jewelry over base metals. Sterling silver on the other-hand provides a much stronger and stable foundation for the gold precious metal coating, enhancing the durability and quality of the jewelry piece.

It's important to note

These are minimum requirements set by the FTC, and some of my suppliers may exceed these standards to provide higher quality and longer-lasting jewelry. When shopping for gold-plated, gold-filled, or vermeil jewelry, it's always a good idea to check the specific details and quality standards provided by the brand to ensure you're getting the desired level of gold content and craftsmanship.