Gold-plated, gold-filled or karat gold: what are you buying?
Understand the underlying material and the difference between a surface gold layer and a gold alloy.
Example items; some may have been sold. Check with the branch before visiting.
Gold-coloured jewellery is not necessarily gold throughout. Plated designs can suit a style and budget, but should not be confused with a karat-gold alloy when buying, caring for or valuing them.
Karat gold versus a coating
18K gold contains 75% gold in the alloy. “18K gold plated” describes a surface layer and does not mean the whole item is 75% gold. Do not multiply its total weight by that percentage to estimate gold content.
Gold-filled and vermeil
Gold-filled uses a mechanically bonded gold layer over a base metal. Vermeil is gold plating over sterling silver. Naming and marking standards depend on the market concerned; ask what the seller’s description means for the actual item.
Check wear and care
Inspect clasps, contact points and corners where plating may wear. Ask what the base metal is, whether replating is possible and what it costs. Alloy information matters if you have known sensitivities.
Selling or pawning later
Disclose the material information you have and allow an inspection. An item’s full weight is not automatically gold weight. For a plated or gold-filled item, call Money OK first to ask whether it can be considered for appraisal. Pre-owned gold checklist.
Sources
Questions about your visit
Have a question? Talk to your branch
Have a piece in mind? Tell staff your preferred size and budget, then arrange to see what is available.
Related reading
24K, 22K, 18K and 96.5% gold: understanding purity
Read karat and fineness marks without confusing gold purity with colour, weight or a guaranteed pawn amount.
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White gold, platinum and silver: do not judge by colour
Understand White gold, Platinum, 750, Pt950 and 925 before buying a white-metal piece.
3 minA checklist for buying pre-owned gold jewellery
What to ask about purity, weight, condition, documents and re-pawning before paying for a used gold piece.
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