The quick comparison
| Type | Base metal | Gold layer | Durability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid gold (18K/22K) | Gold throughout | Entire piece | Lifetime | Highest |
| Gold-filled | Brass or copper | Thick bonded layer | Long | Medium-high |
| Gold vermeil | Sterling silver | Thicker plating | Good | Medium |
| Gold-plated | Brass, alloy or silver | Thin electroplated layer | Varies with care | Affordable |
| 1 gram gold | Copper or brass | Thin gold layer | Varies | Affordable |
| Gold-tone | Any | Gold colour finish | Varies with finish | Affordable |
Gold-plated vs real gold
Real (solid) gold is gold all the way through and holds its metal value. Gold-plated jewellery only has gold on the surface, so it has no resale value, but it gives the look of gold at a small fraction of the price. For everyday style, plated jewellery is the practical choice; for heirlooms and investment, buy solid gold.
Gold vermeil vs gold-plated
Vermeil requires a sterling silver base and a thicker gold layer than standard plating, so it usually lasts longer and suits sensitive skin. Standard gold plating can be on any base metal, which is why checking the base metal matters.
Gold-plated vs 1 gram gold
Both have a thin gold layer. "1 gram gold" is used in India mostly for traditional temple, bridal and festive designs, often on copper or brass. Modern demi-fine gold-plated jewellery focuses on lighter, contemporary designs, protective finishes and skin-friendly bases.
Gold-plated vs gold-tone
Gold-plated means real gold was used in the finish. Gold-tone describes the colour and may use gold or a gold-coloured finish. Miayaa pieces are finished in an 18K gold tone with an anti-tarnish, skin-safe, nickel-free finish.
What does "18K" mean on plated jewellery?
Karat measures gold purity: 24K is pure gold, 22K is about 91.6% gold, 18K is 75% and 14K about 58.5%. On plated jewellery, "18K" describes the gold used in the surface layer or the colour tone, not the whole piece. That is why 18K gold-plated jewellery looks like 18K gold but is priced very differently.
Karat colour guide
| Karat | Gold content | Colour |
|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | Deep, rich yellow |
| 22K | 91.6% | Warm yellow, traditional Indian gold |
| 18K | 75% | Bright yellow, popular for modern jewellery |
| 14K | 58.5% | Paler yellow, very durable |
Questions to ask before buying gold-finish jewellery
- What is the base metal?
- Is the finish gold plating, vermeil, gold-filled or a gold-tone coating?
- Is there an anti-tarnish layer?
- Is it nickel-free?
- What happens if it arrives damaged?
Which should you choose?
- Everyday wear on a budget: quality gold-plated or gold-tone demi-fine with an anti-tarnish finish.
- Sensitive skin: nickel-free pieces or vermeil; read our sensitive skin guide.
- Traditional festive sets: 1 gram gold or imitation sets.
- Heirlooms: solid gold.
Whatever you choose, the care rules are the same: dry, away from perfume, stored sealed. See is gold-plated jewellery waterproof?.
