Real Gold vs. Fake Gold: How to Spot the Difference

Do you ever wonder why the concept of jewelry is universally loved among most cultures? It’s because it tells a story and makes a statement about who you are. It brings people together and gives us a sense of meaning. For centuries women have naturally been drawn to the sparkle of gold and the brilliance of gemstones because it makes us feel confident and beautiful.

The expansion of the jewelry industry combined with widely available access to the internet has unfortunately led to tons of misinformation about what is considered fine jewelry. As a buyer it’s so important to be educated about the products you’re shopping for so you can feel confident in your purchasing decision and know exactly what you’re paying for! Let’s dive into the differences between fine jewelry and fashion jewelry.

Fine Jewelry

Fine jewelry is considering anything that is solid gold. This is most commonly known today as 24k, 18k, 14k, and 10k and can be seen in a white, yellow, or rose gold color. So what do these numbers mean exactly? The higher the karat, the more gold in the piece; but contrary to popular belief more gold content means a softer piece. Although gold is very strong, it is the most malleable of all metals. This is why we combine it with different alloys (silver, copper, nickel, and zinc) to give it strength and durability while still allowing the beautiful gold luster to shine through the piece. Solid gold jewelry will never tarnish or turn colors.

Karat

24k - 100% pure gold

This is the most expensive gold option and we don’t see it often. It’s way too soft to withstand everyday wear because it’s prone to scratching and bending. This is most well known throughout history as the gold of kings and queens among many different cultures. It appears as a very saturated yellow.

18k - 75% pure gold

Although several people like this option, it is still a little too soft for everyday wear especially if we’re talking engagement rings. You don’t want to bring it in for a repair every time you hit it on the countertop, right? Not to mention the hassle of those tiny prongs becoming dislodged from something as simple as getting your ring caught on your sweater. It’s known for it’s bright yellow hue.

14k - 58% pure gold

The perfect balance between strength, durability, and purity, this is the most popular choice for everyday jewelry in the U.S. It is known for a lighter, more subtle yellow hue, making it a great option for engagement rings.

10k - 41% pure gold

Known as the most durable and most affordable, this is a popular choice in the UK and starting to make an appearance in the U.S. If you are rough on your hands, this is a great option for you because it’s difficult to scratch or bend. It appears more pale yellow due to it’s low gold content, but it still remains heirloom quality and will never tarnish.

Recap — Solid gold will never tarnish or corrode as long as it’s 10k or above. Higher karat means more pure gold composition and a more yellow color, but it also means a softer piece.

Fashion Jewelry

When shopping for gold jewelry, you may come across terms like gold filled, gold vermeil, and gold plated which is when thin layers of gold are applied over a base metal. While these alternatives are considered more affordable, they pale in comparison to the value, durability, and longevity of solid gold jewelry.

Gold Filled

This is considered the best quality compared to gold plated and vermeil. The outer gold layer is bonded to the brass core making it more resistant to fading or tarnishing than gold-plated jewelry. Your lifestyle along with factors like sweating, beauty products, the ocean, and even your body chemistry can contribute to the longevity (or lack of) your gold filled pieces. To legally be considered “gold-filled,” it must be 5% (or 1/20th) gold by weight. These pieces can last a couple years if taken care of properly.

Gold Plated

Known as the least expensive and lowest quality, it’s only meant to last a season or two. This type of jewelry is achieved by dipping an inexpensive base metal (I.e. brass) into melted gold. Typically the gold composition equates to less than 1% of the total composition. Inevitable wear and tear like beauty products, sweat, water, humidity, and even UV rays will turn your gold-plated jewelry green or black and will eventually rub off the top layer of gold completely.

Gold Vermeil

Much similar to gold plated, vermeil is dipped into melted gold but the base layer is always sterling silver. Although less likely to irritate your skin than plated jewelry, vermeil will still tarnish overtime. It’s supposed to last longer than plated jewelry due to it’s slightly thicker gold plating, but daily wear and tear still plays a big role in exactly how long it will last.

At this time, Dauvi does not sell any gold-filled, plated, or vermeil pieces. We pride ourselves on making heirloom worthy jewelry that can withstand the daily wear and tear of future generations to come and can be cherished in your family for centuries. Although solid gold jewelry has a higher price point than it’s alternative options, we believe it’s well worth it to have a sustainable jewelry collection that you can feel good about; jewelry that never ends up in a landfill and never has to be replaced!