Gold filled vs. Gold plated

 

When evaluating hardware, the cost and longevity come down to the physical amount of gold in the build. Solid gold is cast all the way through, it’s structurally permanent and carries the highest upfront cost, often scaling into the thousands. At the opposite end is gold plated, the cheapest option, which uses a microscopic flash of gold over a base metal that quickly rubs off under the friction of daily wear. For my bench work, I rely on gold filled as the structural middle ground. My goal is to build accessible jewelry that holds up and lasts a long time. Gold filled hardware allows exactly that.

 

WHY GOLD FILLED?

 

Gold filled hardware is a thick, solid layer of gold mechanically bonded under extreme heat and pressure to a core metal. By law, it has to contain significantly more real gold than plated pieces. It behaves exactly like solid gold, and is extremely tarnish resistant, It handles daily wear very well without wearing down to the base metal. I want to build jewelry for real wear, not just for display. Using gold filled hardware ensures that when you put a piece on, you don't have to worry about it.

 

 

If you look closely at the hardware in the Meridian Collection, you’ll notice I specifically use gold filled elements rather than gold plated. I also use hardware that has a solid .925 sterling silver core. I use these specifically for earring posts because the sterling silver core is hypoallergenic and built for sensitive skin, while still providing a heavy, durable gold finish.