Journal · Guide
When Is It Worth Upgrading to Solid Gold?
Gold plated or solid gold. It is a question I get asked more than almost any other.
I love gold plated jewellery. I wear it myself, I design it with just as much care as anything else we make, and I think it is one of the most accessible ways to own beautiful, well made pieces without spending a fortune. But I also know that there is a time when upgrading to solid gold just makes sense. And I want to be honest with you about when that is.
This is not a piece trying to sell you the most expensive option. It is a genuinely useful guide to help you make the right choice for you, your lifestyle and your jewellery box.
First, what is the difference?
Gold plated jewellery is sterling silver with a layer of gold applied to the surface. At Milly Maunder we use 18ct gold plating, which gives a rich, warm colour and a finish that looks genuinely beautiful. With proper care, it will last well and continue to look lovely for a long time.
Solid gold is exactly what it sounds like. The entire piece is made from gold all the way through. We work in 9ct yellow gold, which is the most durable gold alloy for everyday wear. It will never fade, never change colour, and will look just as beautiful in ten, twenty or thirty years as it does on the day you buy it.
The difference in price reflects the difference in material. A solid gold piece uses significantly more precious metal and takes longer to make. But for the right piece, worn in the right way, it is absolutely worth it.
When gold plated makes perfect sense
Gold plated is the right choice for the majority of pieces in your collection, and there is no shame in that. Here is when I would always recommend it.
- You are trying a new style or shape and want to see how you wear it before committing
- You want to build a layered, varied collection without spending a huge amount at once
- The piece is more of a statement or seasonal piece you will reach for occasionally rather than every single day
- You are buying a gift and are not certain it will become their most worn piece
- You want earrings - earrings get handled less than necklaces and rings, so plated works beautifully
- You are buying your first piece from us and want to experience the quality before going further
Our gold plated collection represents the vast majority of what we make, and every piece is designed with longevity in mind. With a little care - keeping it away from water, perfume and sweat - a well made plated piece will give you years of wear.
"Gold plated done well is not a compromise. It is a considered choice."
When solid gold is worth every penny
There are certain pieces that earn their place as true investment buys. When I think about upgrading to solid gold, I think about one question above all others: will I wear this every single day without taking it off?
If the answer is yes, solid gold is the only sensible choice. Here is why. Gold plating, however good, is a surface layer. With daily wear, contact with skin, water and the natural oils of your body, that layer will very gradually wear. With excellent care you can extend its life considerably. But it will not last forever in the way solid gold will.
A solid gold piece worn every day for the rest of your life will look the same on your last day wearing it as it did on the first. It develops a gentle patina over time that only makes it more beautiful. It becomes a part of you. That is what a forever piece should do.
- You have worn the plated version and know you never want to take it off
- It is a piece with personal meaning - a gift, a milestone, something you want to pass down
- You shower, swim or exercise with your jewellery on and cannot change that habit
- You want to stop thinking about it and just wear it
- You are buying a ring that will sit against other rings and experience daily friction
- You want to invest once rather than replace over time
The pieces we offer in solid gold
We have carefully selected the designs we offer in 9ct solid gold. These are the pieces our customers reach for every single day, the ones that come back to us years later still being worn. They are the ones that earn it.
Each of these designs is also available in 18ct gold plated sterling silver. If you love the shape and want to try it first, start there. If you already know it is the one, go straight to solid gold. Either way, you are making the right choice for you.
A note on care
Whether you choose plated or solid gold, the care advice is the same: keep it away from water, perfume and chemicals where you can, store it properly when you are not wearing it, and treat it with a little love. The difference is that solid gold will forgive you more readily when life gets in the way. And it will, because that is what everyday jewellery is for.
If you are ever unsure which is right for you, please get in touch. I am always happy to help you make the right choice for your collection and your life.
