Gold-Filled vs. Gold Plated: What's the Difference?

One of the most common questions we hear from new PJ artists is: "What is the difference between gold-filled and gold-plated?" It is a great question, because the answer matters a lot for permanent jewelry.

Gold-Filled

Gold-filled jewelry has a thick layer of real gold (usually 14K) bonded to a base metal core, typically brass. By law, gold-filled items must contain at least 5% gold by weight. This makes them extremely durable -- they can last 10-30 years or more with proper care, which is exactly what you want for permanent jewelry.

Gold Plated

Gold-plated jewelry has a very thin layer of gold applied through electroplating. This layer is typically less than 0.5 microns thick, which means it can wear off over time -- sometimes in just weeks or months of daily wear.

Why Gold-Filled Wins for Permanent Jewelry

Since permanent jewelry stays on 24/7, you need a chain that can handle showers, swimming, sweating, and everyday life without tarnishing or losing its color. Gold-filled delivers that durability. Gold-plated simply cannot hold up to permanent wear.

At CC's Permanent Jewelry Supply, we only carry gold-filled and sterling silver chains because we believe in providing supplies that last. Your reputation as a PJ artist depends on the quality of the jewelry you create, and we are here to make sure it shines.