What It Is Made Of
Metal Guide
What 14K Gold Vermeil, 14K Gold Plated, Gold Filled, Sterling Silver, and Solid 14K Gold mean, using the Federal Trade Commission's definitions.
The metal name tells you what is on the surface and what is underneath. Solid gold is gold all the way through. Gold vermeil is a thick layer of gold over sterling silver. Gold filled is a layer of gold bonded to another metal mechanically. Gold plated is a layer of gold, often very thin, over another metal. The Federal Trade Commission's Jewelry Guides set what each name has to mean.
What Does 14K Mean?
Karat measures how much of the metal is pure gold, out of 24 parts. 24K is pure gold. 14K is 14 parts gold out of 24, which is 58.3 percent gold, with other metals added for strength and color. 10K is 10 parts out of 24, or 41.7 percent.
Solid Gold
Solid gold is a gold alloy all the way through, at the karat named, such as 14K. It does not wear down to a different color, because there is no other metal underneath. Some gold pieces are hollow inside, and under the FTC Guides a hollow piece should not be called solid.
How we name it: a solid gold piece is named with its karat, such as "Solid 14K Gold," and lists its weight in grams.
How we name a hollow piece: "14K Gold" or "10K Gold," never "Solid," and its name or description says it is hollow.
Gold Vermeil
Gold vermeil is gold over a base of sterling silver. The FTC Guides allow the name only when the gold is at least 10 karat and at least 2.5 microns thick on all significant surfaces. If another metal sits between the silver and the gold, that has to be disclosed.
How we name it: "14K Gold Vermeil" means 14K gold over solid sterling silver.
Gold Filled
Gold filled means a layer of gold alloy of at least 10 karat bonded to a base metal by soldering, brazing, welding, or other mechanical means rather than electroplating, and the gold has to make up at least one twentieth of the piece's total metal weight. It is sold under names such as "14K Gold Filled."
Gold Plated
Gold plated means a layer of gold over another metal. When it is electroplated, the FTC Guides set a minimum of 10 karat and 0.175 microns of fine gold. That is about one fourteenth of the minimum for vermeil, which is why plating wears through sooner.
How we name it: "14K Gold Plated" means a layer of 14K gold over another metal, and each piece names that metal in its details. It is the lowest price for the look, and the color softens with wear.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is at least 92.5 percent pure silver, often stamped "925." It is bright white, and it darkens over time when it meets sulfur in the air. A silver polishing cloth brings the shine back. See the care guide.
How we name it: "Sterling Silver" means solid .925 sterling silver.
Side by Side
| Name | What is underneath | The FTC minimum for the name |
|---|---|---|
| Solid gold | Gold alloy all the way through | The karat in front of the word Gold, such as 14K (58.3% gold) |
| Gold vermeil | Sterling silver | At least 10K, 2.5 microns thick |
| Gold filled | Another metal | At least 10K, one twentieth of the weight |
| Gold plated | Another metal | At least 10K, 0.175 microns when electroplated |
Read more in Gold Vermeil vs. Gold Plated vs. Gold Filled vs. Solid Gold.