The difference between gold carats and gold plating

 

Gold is one of the most precious metals in the world, valued for its rarity, beauty, and versatility. But not all gold is created equal, and there are essential differences between gold carat and gold plating that every buyer should know.
Before discussing the differences, we should know about gold carats and plating. This blog post will explore the critical distinctions between these terms and what they mean for jewellery purchases. 

What a gold carat is:

Gold carat refers to the purity of gold, measured in parts per 24. For example, people consider 24 carat gold pure gold, meaning it contains 24 parts gold and zero parts other metals. In contrast, there are 18 parts gold and six parts other metals in 18-carat gold, and in 14-carat gold, there are 14 parts gold and ten other metals.

People often mix gold with other metals because pure gold is relatively soft and malleable, making it less durable for use in jewellery or other applications. By adding other metals, such as copper or silver, gold can be made more complicated and resistant to wear and tear.

The carat of gold is essential to consider when buying jewellery because it affects the piece's appearance and value. Higher-carat gold is generally more valuable because it contains more pure gold. It is also yellow and has a richer, more luxurious look than lower-carat gold.

What gold plating is:

Gold plating, on the other hand, refers to a thin layer of gold applied to a base metal, such as brass or silver. People deposit the gold onto the base metal through electroplating, in which an electric current is used to bind the gold particles to the surface of the metal.

People use gold plating to create the look of solid gold at a lower cost. Because only a thin layer of gold is used, the overall weight and value of the piece are much lower than if it were made entirely of gold. However, gold plating can still be an effective way to add a touch of luxury to a piece of jewellery or other object.

The thickness of the gold plating is measured in microns, with a higher micron count indicating a thicker layer of gold. For example, a piece of jewellery with 1 micron of gold plating will have a thinner layer of gold than one with 5 microns of plating.

Key Differences between Gold Carat and Gold Plating

The main difference between gold carat and gold plating is that carat refers to the purity of the gold, while plating refers to a thin layer of gold applied to a base metal. Here are some other critical distinctions between these two terms:

Value:
Gold carat is more valuable than gold plating because it contains more pure gold. The value of gold plating is primarily in the appearance it creates rather than the intrinsic value of the metal itself.

Durability:
Gold carat is more durable than gold plating. Gold plating can wear off over time, especially with frequent use, whereas gold carat will maintain its appearance and value for much longer.

Appearance:
Gold carat has a richer, more luxurious appearance than gold plating. Gold plating can still look convincing, especially if it has a higher micron count, but it may not have the same depth and warmth as higher-carat gold.

Cost:
Gold carats are generally more expensive than gold plating. Gold plating can be an effective way to get the look of solid gold without paying a high price.

Conclusion
Pure gold or gold-plated jewellery—both will beautifully adorn you. You can easily buy gold-plated jewellery if you want gold jewellery but have a budget issue. But if you don't have any budget issues, switch to pure gold. It will adorn you as well as give you security in the future.