Most people want to own gold jewellery. However the common misconception is that to own gold jewellery all you need to do is just look up gold price today in Allahabad or Srinagar and then make the purchase. But many of us don’t know that there are many different types of gold jewellery and their prices and characteristics vary a lot. Hence we decided to come up with a quick list of different types of gold jewelleries and their respective pros and cons so that the next time you know exactly what you want:
Gold Plated Jewellery
Gold plated jewellery is the cheapest type, but also the shortest-lived. It is a layer of gold applied over another metal, like brass or copper. The finish can wear off quickly and will tarnish and leave your skin green as the underlying metal shows through. Gold-plated jewellery is made by covering another type of metal with a very thin layer of gold. The gold layer is usually about 2 microns thick. It is less expensive than other gold jewellery because it contains less gold. The downside of this type of gold jewellery is that the layer may wear off over time, especially when the piece of jewellery comes in contact with water, lotions, perfumes, etc. (showering, swimming and exercising are no friends to gold plated jewellery). This type of plating is not recommended for everyday wear. Gold plating is an electrochemical process that deposits a thin layer of gold (2-5 microns) on top of base metal. Gold plating is done by immersing the base metal in a gold solution and applying an electric current. The electroplating process involves the use of cyanide solutions, but cyanide is not used in the final product.
Gold Vermeil
Gold vermeil is gold plated over sterling silver, which is much more durable than other forms of gold plated jewellery. Gold vermeil can be a great option for those with sensitive skin who still want to wear gold jewellery. It is thicker than regular gold plated jewellery and should last for years if treated with care. Gold vermeil is made by covering sterling silver with a thick layer of gold. The layer must be at least 2.5 microns thick to be considered vermeil. Most vermeil items are between 5-7 microns thick and will not wear down as quickly as plated items. Vermeil is more durable than gold plate but should still be removed before bathing, swimming or exercising to avoid damage to the finish.
Gold-Filled Jewellery
Gold-filled jewellery is made by bonding a layer of 10k+ solid gold to another metal using heat and pressure. Gold-filled jewellery has 100x more solid gold than gold plated jewellery and can last a lifetime if treated with care! It does not flake off, rub off or turn colours. Even if you have allergies to jewellery you can still wear gold filled jewellery.
Solid Gold Jewellery
Solid gold is made from any karat (10k, 14k, 18k) of pure 24k yellow or white gold that is formed into a piece of jewellery by casting or forging. Solid gold will not tarnish or become damaged like other types of jewellery and is perfect for everyday wear! It’s naturally hypoallergenic and contains no nickel or lead, making it great for those with sensitive skin. If you see “14k” stamped on your piece of jewellery, that means there are 14 parts pure gold out of 24 parts total – 58.5% pure gold by weight. Whenever you go online and search gold rate in Delhi today, the search results generally show the price which would be the closest to solid gold jewellery. Hence this could be considered the benchmark..