Solid Gold
Solid gold refers to metal that is made solely of gold alloy.
Solid
gold jewellery is jewellery made without the use of
other metals. The final product is simply solid gold all the way
through. No coating, no base metal, just gold! Solid gold is ideal
for creating stunning jewellery pieces for any occasion. Solid gold
is the most valuable type of gold jewellery you can find. This is
because the precious metal is the star of its own show. This type
of gold also has the benefit of being a hypoallergenic option for
those who may have allergic reactions to alloy metals used in
vermeil and plated types of gold jewellery. At Monica Vinader, we
use 14ct solid gold to make gorgeous gold stud
earrings for a subtle hint of elegance, as well as
gold hoop
earrings to let your ears shine. Wear your hair up to
allow the full effect of your stunning ear party
to make its mark.
Gold Filled
Gold filled is a type of gold which is used to make items such
as jewellery. Gold filled is similar to gold plated and vermeil in
that it is a type of gold with a different metal base underneath.
This type of gold is made by chemically bonding the gold outer
layer to a base of sterling silver or other base metal. The layer
of gold in gold filled items is usually thicker than in gold
plating.
The difference between gold vermeil and gold filled is
that vermeil uses electroplating and filled uses heat bonding to
affix the gold to the base. Essentially, gold vermeil is a coating
of gold, whereas gold filled is a base with gold "melted" on
top.
Gold Plated
Gold plated refers to jewellery that consists of a thin layer of
gold that is applied over the top of another affordable metal, such
as copper. Gold plating is made by putting the economical metal in
a chemical solution that contains gold and then applying an
electric current to the piece. The electric current attracts the
gold to the base metal, where it reacts leaving a thin gold
covering or plating. This type of gold jewellery does consist of
real gold, so you are still getting a genuine precious item. For a
piece to be labelled 'gold plated' the layer of gold must be equal
to or greater than 0.5 micron.
The difference between gold vermeil and gold plated is
that due to its thicker layer, vermeil is a more durable option for
all types of gold jewellery pieces.This allows jewellers to create
affordable accessories because the base metal is less expensive
than having solid gold. Whilst the final product still achieves the
bold beauty of gold that we love.
Carats of Gold
The carat of a gold item refers to the weight of gold in the
alloy that has been combined to make a metal strong enough for use
in jewellery or decorations. There are a few different weights or
carats you may be familiar with. The highest weight of gold you can
find is 24ct, and it is common to think this is the "best" type of
gold. Although it may be the most valuable of the types of gold,
because it contains the most gold, this type of gold can be easily
bent or scratched because of how naturally soft it is. The most
common carat classes used for different types of gold jewellery are
14ct, 18ct, and 22ct. For jewellery, 14ct and 18ct are more
beneficial because they are less soft and therefore, more durable.
Monica Vinader uses
18ct gold in our gold vermeil jewellery pieces, and 14ct
for our solid gold collection.
Colours of Gold
While you now know the different types of gold which can be used
in making jewellery and other decorative items, you may not know
that gold can come in multiple shades and colours. Due to its
colourful versatility, this makes it the perfect choice for your
jewellery. You can align your types of gold pieces with your
personal style for unique accessories that bring out your inner
sparkle.
Rose Gold
Rose Gold is a type of gold with a gorgeous pink hue. This is
because of the other metals used to make the gold alloy. In rose
gold, there is a higher copper content, which gives the final metal
its beautiful rose-like shade. You can mix and match your gold with
rose gold jewellery for an eclectic look guaranteed to
wow. Experiment by combining rose gold with gorgeous gemstones
to add even more colour. Monica Vinader uses 18ct rose gold vermeil
over sterling silver to make fabulous jewellery perfect for any
occasion. For even more magical pieces, solid
rose gold jewellery combines the beautiful hue of pink
with 14ct solid gold excellence. Made to inspire, rose gold is
ideal to show your loved one how special they are. Gorgeous
friendship
bracelets are the ideal way to seal a lifelong bond,
whilst rose gold promise rings demonstrate your commitment in the
most romantic way.
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is the most common type of gold you may be familiar
with. Known for its gorgeous sunshine hues, yellow gold brings
glamour and brilliance to any outfit. Accessorising with a yellow
type of gold is a must have option for your jewellery
box. Yellow gold occurs naturally, and is a very soft
precious metal. For hundreds of years, this type of gold has been
used to make beautiful decorations and of course gold jewellery. We
love the glowing hue of gold, which looks great on its own, as well
as combined with other metals. Whether you're using it to
complement a diamond
jewellery look, or to make meaningful gold
engraved necklaces, this type of gold looks great with
any outfit for any occasion. Yellow gold is a type of gold that
really is a failsafe accessory.
