Gold-Filled vs Gold Plated — What's the Difference?

Not all gold jewellery is made equal. Here's a quick guide to what you're actually buying.

Simple comparison

Type	Gold content	Tarnish resistance	Lifespan	Price
Gold plated	<0.05%	Low	Months	$
Gold PVD (stainless steel)	Surface coating	Very high	Years	$$
Gold-filled	5% minimum by weight	Very High	Years	$$$
Solid gold	41.7–75%+	Highest	Lifetime	$$$$

What is gold-filled?

Gold-filled has a thick layer of real gold bonded under heat and pressure to a base-metal core — far more gold than standard plating. It's durable, hypoallergenic, and designed for everyday wear. At MXW, we use 14K gold-filled components sourced from the USA and hand-finished in Australia.

Why some MXW pieces include PVD charms

Gold-filled is available as wire, sheet, beads, and findings — so chains, clasps, jump rings, and beads in our pieces are gold-filled throughout.

What gold-filled cannot do is casting. Sculpted or three-dimensional charms require metal to be melted into a mould — a process that destroys the gold bond. So when a design calls for a more detailed charm, we use 18K gold PVD over stainless steel instead. The chain and findings on the same piece remain gold-filled.

Note: flat stamped charms, beads, and findings can be genuinely gold-filled. Complex sculpted charms cannot — so if you see a detailed 3D charm described as "gold-filled" elsewhere, it's worth asking questions.

Care

Both gold-filled and PVD are built for daily wear. To keep them looking their best: avoid harsh chemicals (perfume, chlorine, cleaning products), pat dry after contact with water, and store in a pouch when not in use.

Questions?

If you'd like to know more about a specific piece or material, get in touch — we're happy to help.

Gold-Filled vs Gold Plated — What's the Difference?