SOLID GOLD, GOLD FILLED, VERMEIL AND FLASH PLATING… WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

Pigment Studio pieces are available in sterling silver, solid 9ct gold and a thick 14ct gold plating (2 microns thick) on a base metal of sterling silver.

Solid Gold:

• Solid gold is unlikely to cause any allergic reactions.

• Tarnish resistant and can be worn in water.

Gold Filled:

• Gold-filled jewellery is made by bonding a layer of gold to a base metal using heat and pressure.

• Gold-filled jewellery is more durable than gold-plated jewellery, as the gold layer is thicker and more resistant to wear and tear.

Gold Vermeil:

• A layer of gold, plated over a base of 925 sterling silver.

• Gold layer must be 2.5 microns thick.

• More durable than flash plated pieces, but will eventually need re-plating.

Flash Plated:

• Cheap to produce as flash plated pieces contain a very small amount of gold.

• Usually plated over a base metal such as copper, brass or nickel.

• Can cause skin irritation due to the base metals used.