Gold Plated vs Solid Gold Rings
Gold Plated vs Solid Gold Rings
Gold is a popular and hypoallergenic choice for wedding rings because it's a traditional metal that is associated with wealth, luxury, and romance. Gold wedding rings are also durable metals that can withstand everyday wear and tear. It's a malleable and precious metal, which means it can be easily shaped into a variety of ring designs. Because of its price tag, a lot of people end up getting gold plated rings instead. But is gold plated real gold? A gold plated ring is a piece of metal jewelry that has a thin layer of gold applied to the surface. Gold plating is often used to give a piece of jewelry a more expensive look, or to preserve the underlying metal from tarnishing.
Gold-plated jewelry isn't as valuable as gold-filled jewelry, but it can still be quite beautiful. If you're considering buying a piece of jewelry with a layer of gold plating, it's important to be aware of the risks associated with this type of jewelry. The thin layer of gold on your jewelry piece can wear away over time, exposing the underlying metal to the elements and causing it to tarnish. Gold plated rings are also more likely to cause skin reactions than solid gold rings. This is because the chemicals used in the process of gold plating can leach into the skin. This isn't a plus if you have sensitive skin.
While fake types of gold jewelry are an awesome alternative if you're short on cash, if you want to have an eternity band that'll last you a lifetime, we highly recommend against plated rings. This article will hopefully help you understand why and what your other options are for your engagement or wedding ring.
Is Gold Plated Real Gold - Gold Plated vs Gold Filled Jewelry
When it comes to gold-plated pieces, the thickness of the gold layer can vary. The gold paint or small layer of gold is typically around 0.5 microns. Gold plated rings are usually made of a base metal, such as tungsten or titanium. The gold plating gives the ring a lustrous appearance and can also make it slightly more durable. A gold filled ring is a ring with a layer of actual gold inside it. A 14K gold filled product for example has a layer that is approximately 1.5 to 2. 5 microns.
Gold filled rings are typically thicker around the core metal than normal gold plated jewelry. The gold layer is added during the manufacturing process, and the ring is then heated to a high temperature to allow this metal type to flow into tiny crevices inside the metal. In this way, it bonds with the base metal of the ring.
Advantages of Gold Plated Rings
1. Gold plated rings have the look of solid gold rings but are much more affordable.
2. They can be cleaned just like solid gold rings. All you need is some warm water and a mild soap for your statement ring.
3. They're great for people with allergies to nickel. Nickel is often found in solid gold rings and can cause an allergic reaction.
Disadvantages of Gold Plated Rings
1. The gold alloy plating will wear off over time. If you wear your ring all the time, the gold plating will start to wear off and the ring will eventually turn into the metal it started off with.
2. They aren't as strong as solid gold rings. They can bend and break easily depending on the inside metal being used. They're also not an adjustable ring - you can't resize them like you can with gold.
3. They can be more difficult to repair than solid gold rings.
4. They can cause skin irritation in some people. 5. These types of rings can discolor your skin if you wear them all the time.
Why You Should Beware of Plated Gold Rings
Plated gold rings are made by taking a cheaper metal and then coating it with gold. This is usually done with an electrical charge. The problem is that the plating does not always last long, especially if the ring is worn often. Once the coating wears off, the cheaper metal underneath is exposed. Plating can be easily removed with the right chemicals and other solvents. A gold plated ring is a bad idea for these reasons.
How to Spot Plated Gold Rings: Gold Plated vs Gold Filled
The biggest giveaway to know if something is plated gold or solid gold is the price tag. If the ring is really cheap than it's too good to be true and is definitely plated. Real gold is quite a bit more expensive. Plated gold rings (painted or limited gold content) aren't as heavy as solid gold rings. They tend to have a duller appearance and may be scratched more easily. Some plated gold rings will also change color over time, so make a note of any discolorations around your ring. You can also place a magnet beside your ring. A gold plated ring tends to have a magnetic piece of metal beneath its surface. A pure gold ring isn't magnetic.
Solid gold jewelry is made of a valuable metal that does not corrode, so a gold ring will last longer than a gold plated ring. Different gold purities can also give you different colors of authentic gold. For these reasons, we always recommend getting a gold filled ring whenever customers ask us about gold plated alternatives. You just get so much more out of a ring, and that's definitely something you want to pay attention to when you shop around for your eternity band.
Shop Gold Jewelry
Patrick Adair Designs sells authentic and genuine custom pieces. We highly advise against gold plated rings and only sell gold rings that are solid and genuine. Below are some of our favorite gold pieces.
Meteorite Ring with Real Gold Liner
Each one of our meteorite rings is a one-of-a-kind piece that you would never find in a typical jewelry store. Each meteorite ring is painstakingly handcrafted from a solid and unique piece of authentic Muonionalusta meteorite. Pair this with the gold liner of your choice to add to the uniqueness and specialness of your ring from outer space. You can choose from yellow gold, rose gold, or even white gold. You can even tweak the gold purity and exterior texture. Each ring will be distinctive with its own complex patterns because of the natural characteristics of meteorites.
Each one of our meteorite rings is a one-of-a-kind piece that you would never find in a typical jewelry store. Each meteorite ring is painstakingly handcrafted from a solid and unique piece of authentic Muonionalusta meteorite. Pair this with the gold liner of your choice to add to the uniqueness and specialness of your ring from outer space. You can choose from yellow gold, rose gold, or even white gold. You can even tweak the gold purity and exterior texture. Each ring will be distinctive with its own complex patterns because of the natural characteristics of meteorites.
Pure Rose Gold Ring
The Pure Rose Gold Ring is a simple yet gorgeous ring made of real 10K rose gold. This type of gold is a blend of yellow gold, copper, and silver. Each one of these rings offers different widths and a comfort finish. If you prefer a chunky ring, you can request a larger width. If you love the look of a gold stacking ring, the smallest width of this simple ring and its standard rounded profile make it perfect to use with other rings. And despite copper being found in rose gold, the ring is oxidation and rust-free. What you'd get out of this potentially stackable ring is a timeless piece that is low maintenance.
The Pure Rose Gold Ring is a simple yet gorgeous ring made of real 10K rose gold. This type of gold is a blend of yellow gold, copper, and silver. Each one of these rings offers different widths and a comfort finish. If you prefer a chunky ring, you can request a larger width. If you love the look of a gold stacking ring, the smallest width of this simple ring and its standard rounded profile make it perfect to use with other rings. And despite copper being found in rose gold, the ring is oxidation and rust-free. What you'd get out of this potentially stackable ring is a timeless piece that is low maintenance.
The Pure Rose Gold Ring is a simple yet gorgeous ring made of real 10K rose gold. This type of gold is a blend of yellow gold, copper, and silver. Each one of these rings offers different widths and a comfort finish. If you prefer a chunky ring, you can request a larger width. If you love the look of a gold stacking ring, the smallest width of this simple ring and its standard rounded profile make it perfect to use with other rings. And despite copper being found in rose gold, the ring is oxidation and rust-free. What you'd get out of this potentially stackable ring is a timeless piece that is low maintenance.
Solid Gold and Shredded Cash Glowstone Ring
Want a glowing green ring to symbolize wealth and value? Our Solid Gold and Shredded Cash Glowstone Ring is as premium as you can get for a gold ring. If you need something that'll stand the test of time with its durability and scratch resistance, this is a great addition to any collection. This beautiful piece is a 10K yellow gold ring filled with shredded cash and 10K gold shavings that you can use to flaunt your comfort fitted investment.
Want a glowing green ring to symbolize wealth and value? Our Solid Gold and Shredded Cash Glowstone Ring is as premium as you can get for a gold ring. If you need something that'll stand the test of time with its durability and scratch resistance, this is a great addition to any collection. This beautiful piece is a 10K yellow gold ring filled with shredded cash and 10K gold shavings that you can use to flaunt your comfort fitted investment.
How To Find Your Ring Size for Wedding and Engagement Rings
Finding your ring size is quick and easy for your wedding band depending on the method you choose. This is important because any of our rings containing gold aren't eligible for a free exchange if you get the size wrong.
Our primary recommendation is to use our PAD Ring Sizer to get the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way of finding your ring size. Our sizers are as easy as wrapping your finger with the sizer and pulling the end through its loop. Tightening it until it's comfortable and not too loose or tight will get you the exact size you need to give us for your ring. Visiting your local jeweler is the next best way of getting your ring. It's normally free since jewelers want to make the purchasing process as easy and convenient as possible.
All That Glitters is Gold
Whether you want a complex or a casual ring, choosing the right material is important. Sure, gold plated rings are cheap and look similar to gold. But when it's just custom gold plated silver jewelry, you're never going to get a golden look that'll last a lifetime. High-quality, permanent pieces of solid gold jewelry are always worth it.
Do you like the look of an existing ring design on our site but want to add more gold to its appearance? We can happily do that for you! Your eternity band is limited only to your imagination. The possibilities are endless when you consider all of the customization options available. Please feel free to reach out to us at support@patrickadairdesigns.com if you ever need help with this. We can assist you in sifting through our endless sea of possibilities.
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