know your gold
if it’s meant to last forever, the quality of permanent jewelry is incredibly important -
here’s exactly what we mean when we say solid 14k gold
gold plated -
a thin layer of gold (less than .05% gold) over an inexpensive base metal like brass, copper or nickel. this thin layer of gold will chip, flake and tarnish, and may also irritate sensitive skin. gold plated jewelry can be a good option for trying new styles, or for a costume.
price range: $5-$50
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gold filled -
a thicker layer of gold (5% gold) over a base metal. this can sometimes be inexpensive like brass, copper or nickel, or sometimes a higher-quality jeweler’s brass that will hold up better over time. gold filled jewelry is good for wearing every day because the thicker gold layer is bonded to the base metal, so it won’t flake or chip. but friction will always lightly sand the surface of the metal, and over time, the gold will wear away and expose the base metal underneath. for this reason, it is not recommended for permanent pieces.
price range: $30-$100
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solid gold -
solid gold is gold all the way through, with no base metal core. because of this, it can’t ever tarnish - even with daily friction, there is just more gold underneath. solid gold is good for investment pieces (like permanent jewelry) and is great for everyday wear, with little to no skin sensitivity.
price range: $100-$1000+
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24k gold -
pure gold is 24 karat, meaning that 24 out of 24 parts of the metal are gold. 24k gold is not commonly used for jewelry because it is extremely soft and malleable, making it scuff and warp easily. it’s also much more orange in color than what we are used to seeing in gold jewelry.
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14k gold -
14 karat gold is made up of 58% gold and 42% alloy, or 14 out of 24 parts gold. Most commonly alloyed with silver and copper (which dilutes the orange color), 14k gold is much more durable than 24k and is the most popular gold for wearable jewelry, and the most suitable for permanent pieces.
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nickel notice -
nickel is an extremely common allergen that causes uncomfortable skin irritation. each country’s government regulations differ and some allow trace amounts of nickel in alloyed metals (like 14k gold), while still being deemed “nickel-free.” such a small amount may not cause a reaction during normal wear, however, if the gold has been alloyed with nickel, it can be released when exposed to water.
for those with an allergy to nickel, good gold suggests patting the chains dry as soon as possible to lower the risk of an allergic reaction. currently, good gold’s 14k gold is sourced from the United States (subject to change), which has no federal regulations on nickel content in jewelry. good gold does not conduct nickel tests on it’s chains, nor do we claim our jewelry to be nickel-free. good gold is, in no way, giving medical advice for nickel allergies and will not be held responsible for an allergic reaction while wearing our jewelry.