Does Gold-Plated Contain Real Gold? All You Need To Know

 Are you looking for new gold jewellery? Perhaps your boyfriend's birthday is coming up and you want to surprise him with something nice that matches his style to stand him out from the crowd. 

When you’re searching for a present as meaningful as this, not everything you find online is going to be suitable. Many gold jewellery you find can be quite unreliable and cheap. Over time this type of poor quality jewellery will begin to fade and lose its colour. 

When looking for such a jewellery gift, it’s good to have an idea about the various types of gold available. In this article, we’ll discuss what to look for in gold-plated jewellery and discuss the pros and cons. We will finish up by discussing what we at SANT LECLÈRE can offer you to improve your style. 

What Is Gold-Plated? 

If you’re not familiar with purchasing gold jewellery, the words gold-plated may not sound familiar to you. However, this type of jewellery has a lot to offer and can save you a lot of money in the process. 

Gold-plated jewellery is essentially the process manufacturers use to make a specific piece of jewellery. Gold-plated jewellery uses a base layer of electroplated metal with multiple layers of gold on the surface as opposed to 100% gold jewellery which is purely solid gold. This allows you to buy jewellery that has real gold that doesn’t cost a fortune. 

Pros and Cons of Different Types of Gold 

When you’re looking for the best necklace to buy your boyfriend for his birthday, you might want to learn about the different types of gold before you finalise your decision. 

Below we discuss the pros and cons of each popular style of gold jewellery: 

• Gold-plated: The main con of gold-plated jewellery is that it isn’t solid gold jewellery, but rather a layer of real gold on the surface of usually stainless steel jewellery. The pro on the other hand is that it appears just as nice as real gold jewellery at a much more appealing price point. 
• Gold vermeil: Gold vermeil contains a base metal of sterling silver which is then plated with multiple layers of gold. This is essentially the same as gold plated jewellery but it contains a different base metal. A benefit to this type of purchase is its attractive price point. 
• Solid gold: A lot of people prefer solid gold pieces as it’s very valuable, making it a preferable decision for many. However, it comes at quite an expensive price point the vast majority of people cannot simply afford. Another con is that it tends to be too soft for everyday wear. This type of jewellery is less durable than gold-plated jewellery.

What Do Karats Mean in Gold Jewellery? 

When you decide between the types of gold in the above listing, the price is subject to fluctuations based on the concentration of the amount of pure gold in the jewellery. An example of this is where one piece of jewellery contains 10-karat gold where the other contains 18K gold. Both pieces are gold jewellery however, the price for both pieces is not equal. 

Now we will discuss the value of each karat quantity to get an understanding as to why you might choose to decide one over the other. 

 

10-Karat Gold 

Have you ever purchased a gold necklace from a local store at a discount only to find out that soon after, it had lost its colour and had left a green mark around your neck. The reason this happens is because of the low gold concentration, therefore, it is prone to fading very quickly. 

14-Karat Gold

A benefit to this jewellery is the strength of it as it contains a higher concentration of alloy. A necklace that has 14K gold contains 10 alloy metals which makes for a more durable chain. However, a con to this is that it is prone to rusting and tarnishing easily. 

18-Karat Gold

When you’re looking for a perfect balance between price and quality, you can’t find better than 18K gold jewellery. The reason for this is that this type of jewellery contains 6 alloy metals combined with 18 sections of solid gold.

18K gold plated jewellery is the best type of gold plated jewellery mainly because it keeps its shine and colour much longer than 10K or 14K gold plated jewellery making it the clear winner. When you’re looking to get the most value for money spent, 18K gold jewellery is the best option. 

This is why at SANT LECLÈRE we only use 18K gold plated jewellery with premium 316 stainless steel and Italian made 925 sterling silver options. 

 

The best 18K Gold Jewellery Pieces To Add To Your Collection in 2022 

Now that we’ve gone over the different types of gold jewellery, you may be thinking of making the move and purchasing some for your boyfriend on his upcoming birthday. Alternatively, you may be looking to choose some pieces for yourself. Hey, why not? Treat yourself! You won’t regret it.

1. The SANT LECLÈRE Iced Roman Cross Necklace 

Let’s be clear, iced jewellery is a sure way to make your jewellery look incredible and stand out. There is no better pendant combination than incorporating some ice in the form of stones to leave a bold impression. You’re guaranteed to stand out from the crowd.

At SANT LECLÈRE, we started with the best and most popular iced designs made straight from Milan in Italy. Check out our SANT LECLÈRE Iced Roman Cross necklace in gold. We’ve got 2 gold variations to choose from depending on your favourite colour combinations. Each design is as popular as the other so no matter what option you choose, you can be sure heads will turn and questions will be raised as to where you got it from.  

2. The SANT LECLÈRE Iced Hamsa Necklace

Want something to really shine and glisten so nobody can pass you without you being noticed. Our Iced Hamsa will do the work for you. This ancient middle eastern amulet is designed to bring happiness, luck, health and good fortune. 

When you wear the SANT LECLÈRE Iced Hamsa pendant you’re showing your worth and power.We’ve got 2 gold variations to choose from depending on your favourite colour combinations.

3. The SANT LECLÈRE Hamsa Necklace 

Our London collection contains all of our premium 316 stainless steel 18K gold options options. If iced jewellery ain’t your style and you prefer a more subtle look, you can't go wrong with this SANT LECLÈRE Hamsa. Designed to go with any style. 

4. The SANT LECLÈRE Angels Sword 

Adding new gold pieces to your jewellery collection can be exciting. When searching for a gift for someone else, it’s always best to get them something unique and memorable as opposed to something commonly seen. 

When you're completing your boyfriend's birthday gift, consider adding the SANT LECLÈRE Angels Sword to their present. 

 

 

Sources:

karat | gold measurement | Britannica