Jewelry made of solid gold is elegant, high-quality, and gives its wearer a unique radiance. It is precious, considered a lasting asset, and is also radiantly beautiful. Perhaps you even have an heirloom from your grandparents or parents in your jewelry box, or maybe you're considering buying a piece of gold jewelry.
And you're not alone in this, because more and more people are choosing meaningful pieces of jewelry made of gleaming solid gold rather than gold-plated silver. There can be a variety of reasons for this. Gold has long been considered a stable investment , as its price has remained relatively stable over the past decades and is currently (as of May 2024) continuing to rise. At the same time, gold is particularly sustainable in terms of longevity – a piece of jewelry made of solid gold can be worn around the clock and for any occasion without fear of fading or tarnishing. With a little care and regular cleaning, a piece of gold jewelry will remain pristine and beautiful for generations.
At first glance, gold jewelry is naturally a bit more expensive than gold-plated jewelry. However, we believe it's a worthwhile investment!
Are you unsure which material is right for you? Are you wondering what "real" gold actually is and what you should look out for when buying it?
In this article, we'll explain the differences between genuine gold jewelry and gold-plated silver jewelry. We'll show you which terms you should know and how to make the right choice for your next purchase. Let's dive in!
What is the difference between solid gold and gold-plated jewelry?
With solid gold, the entire piece of jewelry is made of gold. You've probably read about alloys before, like 585 or 750 gold. Alloys are used because pure 24-karat gold would be far too soft for jewelry making. Therefore, pure gold is mixed with silver, copper, and other metals to make it harder and better for your piece of jewelry.
The designations 585 (14k) or 750 (18k) describe the proportion of pure gold relative to other alloying elements. 585 gold contains 58.5% pure gold, while 750 gold contains slightly more at 75%. If you'd like to learn more, please read our blog article on alloys .
Visually very similar, but quite different, is gold-plated jewelry. Here, a layer of gold is chemically applied to a raw material, such as sterling silver. The gold plating process – also called electroplating – can be carried out in varying intensities. A general rule of thumb is: the thicker the gold layer, the longer the piece of jewelry will retain its gold color. A gold-plated piece of jewelry will always be less expensive than a solid gold piece, but is generally not quite as durable or easy to care for.
You should avoid prolonged contact between gold-plated jewelry and water, or with deodorants, perfumes, etc. The individual pH level of your skin and perspiration can also affect how quickly the gold plating wears off. Sooner or later, you will likely be able to see the silver underneath the gold plating. You can find all our care instructions for gold-plated silver jewelry here.
Gold jewelry, on the other hand, can be worn day and night – theoretically even while bathing, showering, etc. Of course, it too will show signs of wear with daily use, but these can always be polished away with a little care. Since gold jewelry is 100% gold, you will never see any other material showing through.
Other characteristics of silver and gold jewelry
Both silver and gold jewelry can oxidize, or tarnish. This is a completely natural process and occurs over time with almost any piece of jewelry. You can easily counteract this with a microfiber or polishing cloth.
Gold jewelry does not experience the classic fading of gold-plated jewelry, but can still tarnish due to the mixtures with other materials ( you can find our care and cleaning tips for real gold jewelry here ).
What should I pay attention to when buying gold jewelry?
A piece of jewelry made of solid gold is often a small (or large!) investment. You tend to think about it a bit longer and do more research – because everything simply has to be perfect. After all, you want to wear the piece of jewelry for a lifetime, right?
To ensure you're perfectly prepared, here are our 3 tips on what to look out for when buying gold jewelry:
1. Purity of the gold
Which alloy would you like to choose for your piece of jewelry? 585 gold is usually a little lighter than 750 gold because it contains less pure gold. The lighter shade goes beautifully with every skin tone and is very popular. If you have a slightly larger budget and prefer a richer gold tone, you could opt for 750 gold, for example. Of course, both alloys are also available in white gold or rose gold.
2. Ethical aspects: Origin of the gold
Was your piece of jewelry made with recycled or fair trade gold? If you can't find this information online, it's best to ask the company directly. Did you know that every piece of jewelry is marked with a hallmark? Gold jewelry, for example, is stamped 585 or 750 GG, and silver jewelry is stamped 925.
3. Processing and craftsmanship
When buying jewelry, make sure you purchase from companies with expertise and experience in the craft. Where is the piece made and by whom? We at DEAR DARLING BERLIN produce exclusively in Germany, Italy, and Spain, in renowned workshops and family-run businesses.
Incidentally, the weight of a piece of jewelry doesn't always reflect its quality. A lighter gold piece isn't necessarily inferior to a solid one; often, due to manufacturing constraints, it makes sense to make the piece hollow to improve comfort (for example, in the case of earrings).
Instead, check, for example, the overall workmanship of the details, frames, corners and edges.
What are the advantages of real gold jewelry?
To make your decision even easier, we would like to show you some of the shining advantages of gold jewelry.
1. Gold jewelry is durable and long-lasting.
Gold is a very durable metal that retains its shine and beauty for a long time. Unlike gold-plated jewelry, there is no fading or wear and tear. Therefore, you can wear it while showering, swimming, or overnight.
3. Gold jewelry is timeless and elegant.
Many pieces of jewelry made from solid gold are true classics that are not only beautiful now, but will still be stylish and modern in 10 years. Gold-plated jewelry is frequently chosen for seasonal designs.
4. Gold retains its value
Gold has long been considered a stable store of value – so a piece of jewelry can certainly be seen as an investment. If you no longer wish to wear your jewelry at some point, you can sell it to a local gold buyer or jeweler for the current gold price.
5. Gold comes in a wide variety of forms.
Gold jewelry is available in various colors, including yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. Each of these alloys has its own unique aesthetic. Gold-plated jewelry has a limited color palette and cannot offer the same depth and brilliance as real gold.
6. Gold carries a special symbolism
Gold has always held high cultural and symbolic value. It is often associated with wealth, power, and elegance. Furthermore, it is frequently chosen for important occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, and other celebrations, as it represents permanence and value.
7. Gold can be melted down an infinite number of times.
Real gold can theoretically be melted down and reused an infinite number of times without loss. This is due to the material's unique physical and chemical properties. This means that recycling old jewelry is not only sensible but also sustainable!
Real gold jewelry at a fair price: Dear Darling Berlin
Would you like to treat yourself to a high-quality piece of jewelry made of real gold, or are you looking for a special gift for a loved one?
At Dear Darling Berlin, we have the perfect piece of jewelry for every style and occasion. Our precious jewels are responsibly produced in Germany, Italy, and Spain using recycled 14k or 18k gold. You'll also find lab-grown diamonds, fair-trade gemstones, and customizable jewelry in our shop.
What makes us special? We place great emphasis on sustainability and transparency in the production of our exquisite pieces. To achieve this, we collaborate with small businesses and local family-run companies. In our behind-the-scenes blog post, you can learn more about our partners and join us on a tour of our Italian production facility.
Discover our new real gold collection, The Signature Edit, featuring minimalist jewelry made from precious 14k yellow and white gold.
Sources:
https://worldgoldday.com/did-you-know/
https://www.stollberg-edelmetalle.de/585-Goldanteil.html
https://www.gold.de/artikel/welcher-gold-karat-wert-entspricht-333-585-oder-750er-gold/