Gold-Plated Jewellery: Understanding the Differences between Grades

In the world of jewellery, gold plating is a common practice. It typically involves plating a layer of precious metal on the surface of sterling silver jewellery. This not only protects the sterling silver from oxidation but also offers an option for those who prefer the color of gold. Gold-plated jewellery comes in different grades, namely 10K, 14K, 18K, and 24K. These different grades also result in variations in the shade of the gold color. Most jewellery manufacturers opt for 14K and 18K for gold plating to strike a balance between the color of the gold and the price.

There is usually a distinction based on the thickness of the gold plating:

Thin Layer Gold Plating (usually less than 0.175 microns)

Looks-wise, with this thin gold plating layer, after a bit of use, the gold is likely to wear out, showing the metal underneath. The color doesn't look as full, and the shine is kinda weak. It ain't too durable and ain't good for long-term wear 'cause it easily loses the gold-plated layer from friction and scratching. Generally, it's right for making more decorative, short-lived, and cost-controlled jewelry, like one-time fashion accessories.

Thick Layer Gold Plating (0.175 - 2.5 microns)

Compared to the thin layer, thick layer gold plating's got a more even and full color with better sparkle, looking closer to pure gold stuff. It can handle a certain amount of daily wear and tear, and the life span is longer, able to keep the gold look for a longer time. It's often used for jewelry that needs a certain level of quality assurance and a longer wear cycle.

Ultra-Thick Gold Plating (greater than 2.5 microns)

Ultra-thick gold-plated jewelry looks real similar to pure gold, with a rich and long-lasting color and a lasting shine. Both when you look at it and touch it, it's got high durability and is good for making higher-grade jewelry.

When it comes to 14K and 18K gold-plated jewellery, it refers to the color of the gold plating. In different grades, the higher the grade, the higher the purity of the electroplated gold in the jewellery. Low purity gold plating has a lower gold purity and contains more other metal impurities, making the color of the gold plating lighter or not pure enough, not as bright as high purity gold plating. It has a relatively low cost and a lower price. On the other hand, high purity gold plating contains a higher proportion of pure gold. 24K gold is theoretically pure gold, and 18K gold has a gold content of 75%. The color and stability of this gold have better performance, but the price cost is higher. Considering the price and color of gold, jewellery manufacturers generally choose 14K or 18K gold-plated jewellery.

Gold-plated jewellery is graded according to the purity of the gold. Among the commonly used 14K and 18K gold plating, they correspond to 14K and 18K gold. Different grades of gold-plated jewellery are priced differently. So, choose different grades of gold-plated jewellery according to your needs. You can find out more about jewellery through Kirin Jewelry, and you can contact us to explore effective strategies for incorporating gold-plated jewellery into the growth of your brand and business.