Although we all aspire to solid gold jewelry, our budget may not stretch to what we wish for. Thankfully, an alternative is available to suit most price points, and this time, we will be looking at ways to wear gold that will not break the bank.
Gold is the metal desired above all others when it comes to creating the perfect piece of jewelry. Through the centuries, its lustrous yellow glow, durability, and resistance to tarnishing have enthralled desire and imagination like no other precious element. However, with this beauty comes a price out of the range of many looking to elevate their style with a piece created from this immutable yellow mineral.
Thankfully there is good news for those seeking precious pieces without the high price tags and without compromising on beauty.
Popular Solid Gold Alternatives
The three main alternatives to solid gold jewelry for those on a budget are Gold Plate, Gold Filled and Vermeil. Each has unique properties and delivers an almost indistinguishable lustrous shine to the real thing.
PVD-Gold Plated Stainless Steel
In the past, gold-plated jewelry has had a bad rap for its questionable durability, fragility, and tendency to tarnish easily. However, there have been great technological leaps forward in recent years. Forget electroplating, Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is where it’s at. PVD involves depositing thin layers of gold and titanium nitride, or other elements that give the appearance of gold, on a base metal, like stainless steel, through vaporization in a vacuum. The process creates a layer of gold that is far tougher than traditional plate, and the iron, chromium, and nickel in the stainless steel make the finished piece highly durable and resistant to oxidation and tarnishing. Because the bonding takes place at a molecular level, the coating doesn’t chip off as easily as other plating can. The addition of other elements during the PVD process can add a range of colors and hues to the finished piece.
Gold-Filled Stainless Steel
A slightly more expensive alternative to gold plating – but still much cheaper than solid gold – is gold-filled jewelry. A sheet of karated gold, of at least 5 per cent of the content of the finished piece, is mechanically bonded to the stainless steel by using intense heat and pressure. Rolled Gold Plate (RGP) and Gold Overlay are other terms for the process of gold filling. Any jewelry created this way will have the karat of the gold used indicated with a stamp. The process creates gold jewelry that is both affordable and durable and won’t lose its luster through everyday wear.
Other base metals, such as brass and copper, can be subjected to the same process, but these can tarnish over time, which is why we keep mentioning stainless steel. However, resin and silicone are becoming popular as a base for gold-plated jewelry because of their durability, flexibility, and versatility.
Gold Vermeil
Pronounced ‘ver-may’ with a lilting French accent, this is the most expensive gold plating technique on our list. Vermeil is the coating of 925 sterling silver with a thin layer of yellow, rose, or white gold, usually 14 kt or 18 kt, through the process of electrolysis. Gold over silver has a stylish ring to it, making vermeil an affordable yet classy precious metals combo alternative to solid gold. Bonded gold jewelry also combines the two precious metals by attaching a sheet of karated gold to a base of 925 sterling silver. The process may be favored by those looking for a stylish look with added durability.
Advantages of Gold Plating Over PVD
Although PVD is gaining traction because of its cohesion, durability, and ability to retain a brilliant golden hue over time without tarnishing, chipping, or fading, many jewelers prefer the tried and tested plating process. PVD is a relatively recent addition to a jeweler’s armory, whereas gold plating has been delivering consistent results as a finishing technique on jewelry for decades. Electroplating is also ideal for getting the gold into those tricky recesses and hard-to-reach places, as well as providing a more uniform coating than PVD. Goldsmiths can produce a more uniform surface coating, adding more gold where it is needed and less gold where it is not. Plating, unlike PVD, can be applied to specific areas on a piece of jewelry and not to others, giving the jeweler greater control over where the plating is applied. And because gold plating uses a low-voltage current, where PVD requires temperatures in excess of 900 degrees Fahrenheit for deposition to occur, plating is more energy efficient. As with all jewelry manufacturing, the result depends on the quality of the process and the skills used to apply it and, of course, the tastes, wishes, and desires of the customer.
Caring for Gold-Plated Jewelry
Gold-plated jewelry appreciates being treated with care, so no abrasives, chemicals, cleaners, or brushes. A gentle dabbing with a cotton swab and tender buffing with a microfiber cloth will ensure a long-lasting shine and keep your lustrous.
