If you buy or sell fashion jewelry, you will see terms such as “14K gold color”, “gold plated” and “solid gold”. They can look similar in a listing, but they describe very different products. Knowing the difference helps you ask suppliers better questions and describe products honestly.
Solid gold
Solid gold jewelry is made throughout from a gold alloy. The karat number shows how much of the alloy is gold: 24K is essentially pure gold, 18K is 75% gold and 14K is about 58.3% gold.
Gold plated
Gold plated jewelry has a thin layer of gold applied over a base metal such as brass or copper alloy. It gives the look of gold at a much lower price. How long the finish lasts depends on factors such as plating thickness, any protective coating and how the piece is worn.
Gold color or gold tone
“Gold color” and “gold tone” describe how a piece looks. On their own, they do not tell you how much gold it contains, or whether it contains any at all. “14K gold color” therefore normally means the shade resembles 14K gold, not that the piece is made of 14K gold. Always confirm the actual material with your supplier.
At a glance
| Term | What it describes | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Solid 14K or 18K gold | The piece is made of a gold alloy | Is the karat tested and stamped? |
| Gold plated | A layer of gold over a base metal | What is the base metal? How thick is the plating? |
| 14K or 18K gold color | The color or shade of the finish | What are the base material and finish? |
How to describe products to your customers
- Use the supplier’s confirmed material details, not assumptions.
- Do not shorten “14K gold color” to “14K gold”, because this describes a different product.
- Check the marketing and labeling rules in the countries where you sell.
- Share simple care advice, such as keeping jewelry away from water, perfume and chemicals.
Questions to ask a supplier
- What is the base material?
- Is this piece plated, and with what?
- Is there a protective coating?
- Can you meet the material requirements for my market?
Our catalog uses “gold color” and “silver tone” to describe finishes. For any style you are considering, ask our team to confirm the base material and plating.