At first glance they all look the same. Go deeper — literally — and the differences are dramatic. Know exactly what you’re paying for before you buy (or selling for, before you sell).
Solid gold
The most valuable form: gold content throughout, measured in karats up to 24K (99.9%). It isn’t wrapped around anything — though it may be alloyed for colour (white, rose) or durability, which is why lower karats bend less.
Gold-filled
A thicker layer of gold bonded onto a base metal like brass. Beneath the gold skin sits metal with no gold content at all — less durable, a limited lifespan, and much less valuable than solid gold.
Gold-plated
The least gold of all: an entire base-metal item wearing a thin gold coating. Same first impression, tiny gold content — the coating can wear through with daily use.
Seller’s translation: scrap buyers price the gold that’s actually there. Solid pieces earn metal value; filled pieces a fraction; plated pieces usually only whatever the finished item resells for.
Not sure which one your piece is? We test it in front of you and explain the answer — free.
