What's the Difference Between Gold Plated Jewelry and Gold-Filled Jewelry?

Written By Allie Perry March 7, 2025

In February of 2025, gold prices (among other things… I’m looking at you, eggs) hit an all-time high. And if you’re looking to grow your jewelry collection without breaking the bank, you may be curious about gold-filled or gold plated jewelry. But are they worth it? What’s the difference?

Both offer a golden appearance, but they differ significantly in composition, durability, and value. I’ll teach you the basic differences so you can make the informed choice that’s right for you.

What is Gold Plated Jewelry?

Think about gold plating as paint on your wall. It looks good on the surface, but who knows what it’s covering underneath, and one scratch is all it takes to see the sheetrock underneath.

Gold plated jewelry starts with a base metal (like brass, copper, or stainless steel) which is then coated with a thin layer of gold through a process called electroplating. The gold layer is typically very thin, usually between 0.25 and 0.5 microns in thickness, meaning it can wear off over time. For reference, a human hair averages around 70 microns in thickness, so when I say the plated layer is thin, I mean it’s really thin.

Pros of Gold Plated Jewelry:

• Affordable: Gold plated pieces are much cheaper than solid gold or gold-filled jewelry, making them accessible for you if you’re a budget-conscious buyer.
• Variety of Styles: Because of its affordability, gold plating allows for a wide range of trendy and fashionable designs, including those plated in higher karats in richer gold tones.
• Lightweight: Since it uses a base metal, gold plated jewelry tends to be lighter than gold-filled or solid gold pieces.

Cons of Gold Plated Jewelry:

• Durability Issues: The thin gold layer wears off over time, especially with frequent exposure to moisture, sweat, and chemicals. This includes wearing it in the shower or every washing your hands.
• Prone to Tarnishing: As the base metal is exposed, it will likely tarnish or cause skin discoloration. It won’t matter how pretty that gold ring ring is if it turns your finger green.
• Not Hypoallergenic: Some base metals, like nickel, can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

One more thing to be aware of is the trend of 3D printed jewelry that’s then electroplated. This process allows for quick production of complex designs, but can cause uneven plating, surface imperfections, or the possibility for the plating to peel and crack. I’ve seen this method a lot in gents costume jewelry because the lower cost of materials allows for the affordable creation of large-scale pieces. But you’re basically getting a plastic ring with a super thin layer of gold on top. Those pieces not strong enough for daily wear and they’re impossible to fix.

What is Gold-Filled Jewelry?

Think of gold-filled as the icing on your birthday cake. It’s a thicker outer layer that drastically improves the overall appeal, and it can take quite a bit of scraping to get off.

The name is a bit confusing, since you may think jewelry is gold-filled the same way a donut is creme-filled, but that’s the opposite of what’s true. Replace the hyphen with “that’s” and you’ll be closer to the right track. Gold-filled jewelry is gold that’s filled with something else.

That “something else” is a base metal (usually brass) that has a thick layer of gold mechanically bonded to it through heat and pressure. It’s a much thicker layer of gold than gold plated jewelry.

To be classified as gold-filled, the gold must make up at least 5% (or 1/20) of the item's total weight.

Pros of Gold-Filled Jewelry:

• More Durable: The thick layer of gold makes it far more resistant to wear and tear than gold plated jewelry.
• Better Value: Though more expensive than gold plated jewelry, gold-filled jewelry retains its appearance for years, making it a worthwhile investment.
• Hypoallergenic: Since the gold layer is much thicker, it's less likely to cause skin reactions compared to gold plated jewelry.
• Resistant to Tarnishing: Gold-filled jewelry does not tarnish easily and can last decades with proper care.

Cons of Gold-Filled Jewelry:

• Higher Cost: While still much cheaper than solid gold, gold-filled jewelry is significantly more expensive than gold plated jewelry.
• Limited High-End Appeal: It does not hold the same value as solid gold and is not considered a luxury material.
• Requires Some Maintenance: While durable, it still requires proper care to maintain its shine and prevent damage.

How to Identify Gold Plated vs. Gold-Filled Jewelry

If you don’t know whether a piece of jewelry is gold plated or gold-filled, here are a few ways to tell the difference:

• Check the Markings and Stamps:

• Gold-filled jewelry is often stamped with markings like "1/20 14K GF" or "1/20 12K GF."
• Gold plated jewelry may have markings like "GP" (gold plated), "HGE" (heavy gold electroplate), or "RGP" (rolled gold plate), but sometimes it has no markings at all.

• Magnet Test:

• Both types use a base metal, but if the base metal contains iron or nickel, it may be slightly magnetic. This method is definitely not foolproof; but if your jewelry is magnetic, it’s probably plated.

Which One Should You Choose?

• If you're looking for affordable fashion jewelry and don’t mind occasional replacements, gold plated jewelry is a great choice.
• If you want jewelry that lasts longer, holds up to daily wear, and offers better value, gold-filled jewelry is the better investment.

Now that you know the differences, you can choose what’s right for you by prioritizing the characteristics of each:

• Cost
• Value
• Durability
• Potential for allergies
• Longevity
• Maintenance 

And if you’re worried about the potential downside of any of these characteristics, talk to your local jeweler! They’ll help you decide which is better for your needs, and when your best bet is to save up for a solid gold piece of jewelry.

If you choose to go with solid gold, you can always click here to check out my selection of handmade gold jewelry at Allie Perry Designs.!