Solid gold, gold-plated and gold-filled: what is the difference?
Last updated: 17 October 2026
Product descriptions use similar words for very different things. This article explains the three terms you will meet most often.
Solid gold
Solid gold jewellery is gold alloy all the way through, in a karat such as 18K, 21K or 22K. The colour does not wear off because it is the metal itself.
Gold-plated
Gold-plated pieces have a thin layer of gold over another metal. The layer can wear away with time and contact, and then the metal underneath shows.
Gold-filled
Gold-filled pieces have a thicker layer of gold bonded to another metal. They last longer than plating but are still not solid gold.
Reading a description
Look for the word solid and for a karat number. If a description says only gold tone or gold colour, it is not solid gold. ORELITH pieces are described by metal and karat; our team confirms the details of each piece.
Quick answers
Is gold-plated jewellery real gold?
It has a thin layer of real gold over another metal, so it is not solid gold and the layer can wear away.
What does solid gold mean?
Solid gold is a gold alloy all the way through, in a stated karat such as 18K, 21K or 22K.
Does gold-filled last longer than gold-plated?
Generally yes, because the gold layer is thicker, but it is still not solid gold.