Gold Fill, Gold Plate or Gold Vermeil?
Are there many differences? Yes!! Gold is pure or solid at 24 carats. Because pure gold is soft, scratches easily and very expensive, it is mixed with other metals (alloys) to increase sturdiness and decrease consumer cost. These alloys include copper, nickel, palladium and some others. Gold filled jewelry components are considered fine jewelry and must contain a minimum 1/20th of pure gold. For example, 12kt gold is 50% pure gold and 50% alloy.
