Gold Plated vs Real Gold: Is it Right for Me?
Gold has been a symbol of wealth, luxury, and elegance for thousands of years. Today, advances in technology have allowed dozens of variations of gold to appear in the market. For information on gold plated vs real gold jewelry and how to tell them apart, visit Toronto Gold and speak to industry professionals today. Conveniently located in downtown Toronto, we are proud to offer customer-first service and the most competitive gold prices in the city.
What is the difference between Gold Plated and Real Gold?
It can be challenging to detect gold plated vs real gold jewelry based on physical appearance alone. The real differences are found in their durability, purity, and value; making some gold items more suitable for specific activities and uses than others. Solid real gold is the most valuable and desirable metal used in jewelry. Its radiant, yellow and un-tarnishable physical appearance have contributed to it’s luxurious and extravagant reputation. However, because gold is a soft and malleable precious metal, it is a poor choice for jewelry as items will be fragile and lose shape over time. As a result, metals such as silver, copper, nickel, and platinum are often alloyed to add strength and alter the color of gold jewelry items. In comparison, gold plated jewelry is low quality and contains a meager amount of gold. To manufacture gold plated items, a small amount of lower karat gold is electrically charged onto a more affordable metal such as nickel or copper. Due to the structural integrity of these base metals, jewelry will be stronger than real gold items; however, the catch with gold-plated jewelry is that the outer gold layer will fade and tarnish over time with wear and exposure to nature.
When curious about gold-plated vs real gold jewelry, visit Toronto Gold for the right information. Despite the high price of real gold, it’s timeless appearance will make any item a staple and statement piece in your jewelry box. However, if you are on a budget but are still in search of an item that will make you shine, gold plated jewelry is an excellent option. Ultimately, the decision to purchase gold-plated vs real gold jewelry can be a difficult one. But at Toronto Gold, we help make it easy. Give us a call today or stop by in person for more information.