Why Gold Filled?

Why Gold Filled?

Not all gold jewellery is made the same.

Gold plated, gold vermeil, gold filled, solid gold… there are a lot of different names and, when everything looks beautifully gold and shiny when it’s new, it’s not always obvious what you’re actually buying.

So here’s the simple version,  and why I choose 14 carat gold filled for my jewellery.

Gold Plated
Gold plated jewellery has a very fine layer of gold applied over another metal.

It’s an affordable way to get the look of gold, but because that layer is so thin, it can gradually wear away with regular use.

That’s when the metal underneath starts to show through and the colour begins to change.

For jewellery you only wear occasionally, that might be absolutely fine, but for pieces you want to wear all the time, I prefer something more substantial.

Gold Vermeil
Gold vermeil sounds very luxurious, but it is essentially gold plated sterling silver.

The silver underneath makes it more valuable than a cheaper base metal, but the gold itself is still a plated layer sitting on the surface.

And that means it can still wear.

You might be surprised by how many big jewellery brands use gold vermeil. Some even offer replating services for when that gold finish begins to fade.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with vermeil, but personally, I didn't want to make jewellery that you have to keep sending away to get its gold colour back.

If I'm buying gold jewellery, I want the gold bit to last.

So What Makes Gold Filled Different?

Gold filled isn't simply dipped in gold.

A substantial layer of real gold is permanently bonded to the metal underneath using heat and pressure.

That bonded gold layer is what makes it so much more durable than ordinary plating, you'll often see quality gold-filled material marked 1/20. That means the gold alloy makes up 5% of the item's metal weight.....a very different construction from applying a microscopic layer of gold to the surface.

And you really notice the difference when you wear it.

I've Put Mine to the test, I can talk about durability all day, but this is probably the best example I can give you.

I've worn one of my own 14ct gold filled rings every single day for over two years.

I wash my hands in it. I work in it. I make jewellery in it.

And there isn't even a smidge of fading.

I don't particularly baby it either.

Obviously every person wears their jewellery differently and all jewellery benefits from a little care, but for me that has been the biggest proof of just how well gold filled can wear.

And the Colour…this is another reason I love it.14 carat gold filled has the most beautiful soft, creamy gold colour, It's warm without being really yellow or overly bright.

It feels understated and easy to wear, and it looks particularly gorgeous next to silver.....which is perfect if, like me, you love mixing your metals and stacking everything together.

Gold Filled vs Gold Vermeil

This is probably the comparison people ask about most. Vermeil puts a more valuable metal underneath the plating — sterling silver.

Gold filled gives you a much more substantial bonded layer of gold on the outside.

For me, when I'm making gold jewellery, that outer gold layer is the bit I really care about.

It's the part you see.

It's the part you wear.

And it's the part I want to stay gold.

What About Solid Gold?

Solid gold is the ultimate option.

The gold alloy runs all the way through the piece, so there isn't a surface layer that can eventually wear through.

It can last for generations.

But it also comes with a very different price tag.

And that's one of the reasons I think gold filled is such a brilliant material.

You get a genuine 14ct gold surface, fantastic durability and that beautiful gold colour without having to pay solid gold prices.

Why I Choose Gold Filled

I don't use gold filled simply because it's cheaper than solid gold.

I use it because it's a premium material in its own right.

It gives me everything I want from the jewellery I make:

- A substantial layer of real 14ct gold
- Far better durability than ordinary gold plating
- A gold finish designed to stand up to regular wear
- That lovely soft, creamy 14ct gold colour
- A beautiful finish for mixing with silver
- Premium quality without the solid gold price tag

Most importantly, it means I can make jewellery that's there to be worn.

Not saved for best.

Not constantly taken on and off because you're worried about the plating.

And not something you should expect to have replated every few years just to make it look gold again.

Jewellery Should Be Worn

That's really what it comes down to for me.

I want you to put your jewellery on and enjoy it.

Stack it. Mix it. Wear it to work. Wear it out. Find that one ring you love and wear it every single day.

That's exactly what I've done with mine.

Beautiful. Premium. Made to be worn.

And that's why I choose 14 carat gold filled.