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Sterling Silver vs Silver Plated & Gold Filled vs Gold Plated Explained

Mon Petit Bijou creates affordable artisan jewelry. Shop our one of a kind pieces at monpetitbijous.etsy.com

Sterling Silver vs Silver Plated
& 
Gold Filled vs Gold Plated



Welcome to Mon Petit Blog. Today we will be discussing the difference between sterling silver & silver plated and also the differences between gold filled & gold plated, as it applies to making jewelry. 

Sterling Silver 

Sterling silver is a metal made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy for strength. We frequently refer to sterling silver as .925 and the jewelry is usually stamped as such.

Sterling Silver is a great choice for heirloom jewelry to be passed down from one generation to another because it keeps its value and also the value will grow over time. It is a precious metal and is as close to pure silver as possible.

Sterling silver is a good choice for individuals with sensitive skin because it is usually hypoallergenic and it can be worn daily without a problem.

Caring For Your Sterling Silver Jewelry

1. Use a mild soap and water to clean  your Sterling Silver pieces.

2. Rinse well under running water. 

3. Dry with a lint-free cloth. 

4. Make sure that the piece is completely dry before storing. 

5. You can also use a polishing cloth in between cleanings. 

Silver Plated 

Silver Plated jewelry is made from base metals, like copper, nickel, pewter or brass. These alloys are coated with a layer of sterling silver. The base metal is electrically charged and it attracts the silver particles, which creates a thin outer coating of silver.

Silver Plated jewelry is less expensive than sterling silver because it has less silver content. 

Caring For Your Silver Plated Jewelry  

1. Use a soft, lint free cloth or a jeweler's polishing cloth to wipe off the dirt and oils. Never use soap, water or abrasive cloths.

2. Store gold plated pieces separately to prevent rubbing against other jewelry.

Gold Filled vs Gold Plated

Gold Filled 

Gold Filled jewelry is a nice alternative to buying gold pieces. 

Gold Filled jewelry is created using a solid layer of gold. 10 or 14 karat gold is bonded to the base, which is usually sterling silver or base metal. 

Gold filled jewelry has the look of gold pieces without the expensive price. 

Caring For Your Gold Filled Jewelry 

1. Use a mild dish soap, water and a soft cloth to remove any dirt & skin oils. 

 2. Rinse under running water. 

 3. Dry with a lint free cloth. 

 4. Make sure that the piece is completely dry before storing.  


Gold Plated 

Gold Plated pieces are a more affordable choice than gold or gold filled because it contains only a small amount of gold.

Gold Plated jewelry is becoming popular because of its price. You get the look of gold for a small fraction of the price. 
 
Gold Plated jewelry is created using a base metal or alloy such as silver or copper. The base metal goes through a process called electroplating, which covers it with a thin layer of gold.

Caring For Your Gold Plated Jewelry 

1. Use a soft, lint free cloth or a jeweler's polishing cloth to wipe off the dirt and oils. Never use soap, water or abrasive cloths.

2. Store gold plated pieces separately to prevent rubbing against other jewelry.

Jewelry Care Tips 

1. Apply makeup, hair spray, lotions and perfumes before putting on your jewelry.

2. Keep your jewelry dry. Remove them before exercising, swimming, doing dishes showering or bathing.

3. Store jewelry in a sealed bag or container in a dry and cool place to reduce the chances of tarnishing. 

Until next time,
Lori
Mon Petit Bijou 

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Email:   monpetitbijou.la@gmail.com 


 

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