Gold Filled vs Gold Vermeil vs Gold Plate vs Solid Gold

There are many miss leading sales going on on ebay stating items are gold filled when they really are cheap gold plate. There always has been a gray area when it comes to the exact difference in the different processes. Gold plate is electroplated and is a very very thin layer of gold. Gold fill is usually 1/10 or 1/20 10k, 14k, or 12k. This type of jewelry still has some value. Gold Vermeil usually sterling silver dipped in gold. Solid gold should be marked 10k, 12k (overseas), 14k , 18k, 22k, 24k. But remember one thing unless is 24k its technically not solid gold either, because it is mixed with another precious metal depending on the color of gold.