Blog Posts

Exploring the Distinction Between Yellow Gold and White Gold

Yellow Gold and White Gold: A Comparison of Two Precious Metals

In the world of jewellery, yellow gold and white gold are highly sought-after choices, each possessing its own unique characteristics and allure. In this article, we will delve into the differences between the two, shedding light on their composition, properties, advantages, disadvantages, and maintenance requirements.

By understanding these distinctions, readers can make informed decisions when purchasing gold jewellery and select the perfect piece that suits their preferences and style.

Understanding Yellow Gold: A Symbol of Timeless Elegance

Yellow gold has captivated civilizations throughout history with its beauty and rarity. With its vibrant colour, yellow gold has a rich cultural significance and has been treasured for centuries. The purity of yellow gold jewellery is measured in carats, with 24 carat gold being the purest form.

Pure gold is naturally yellow and exceptionally soft, which makes it more prone to scratches and dents. However, it possesses remarkable resistance to tarnish, corrosion, and rust. This precious metal holds its value over time and is highly regarded for its enduring beauty.

Yellow gold has a long and illustrious history, having been used in gold jewellery for centuries. Gold jewellery was popular among ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans who prized its beauty and rarity.

Throughout the ages, yellow gold has remained a symbol of timeless elegance.

In modern times, pure gold is often alloyed with other metals to create durable pieces that are more resistant to scratches and dents than pure 24 carat gold. 

This creates different shades of yellow gold including rose gold which is created by adding copper or silver alloys to enhance its pink-hued colour. Rose gold has also become increasingly popular over recent years due to its unique hue and romantic connotations.

Unveiling White Gold: The Contemporary Alternative

White gold emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the growing demand for silver-coloured jewellery. It offers a sleek and modern alternative to traditional yellow gold. White gold is an alloy created by combining pure gold with white metals such as nickel, palladium, or silver.

This alloying process imparts a distinctive silvery-white appearance to the gold, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a silver-toned metal with the durability and prestige associated with gold.

White gold has been used in jewellery since the early 20th century, but it wasn’t until the 1920s that it started to gain widespread popularity. This era marked a shift towards modernity and elegance in jewellery design, and white gold became a symbol of these contemporary aesthetics. 

Its clean and sophisticated appearance made it particularly appealing for engagement rings and wedding bands, adding a touch of glamour to these meaningful pieces of jewellery. During this period, white gold jewellery was often set with sparkling diamonds or other precious gemstones, further enhancing its allure.

As time went on, white gold’s popularity continued to grow, captivating both traditional and contemporary jewellery enthusiasts. Its versatile silver-white hue complements a wide range of styles, from classic to avant-garde. 

Jewellers have embraced the possibilities offered by white gold’s malleability, crafting intricate and unique designs that showcase its inherent beauty. 

In recent years, there has been a surge of experimentation in white gold jewellery design, with some artisans exploring innovative combinations of yellow and white gold to create captivating contrast and visual interest in their creations. 

This blending of warm and cool tones adds an intriguing dimension to the jewellery, appealing to those who seek something truly distinctive.

White gold’s allure lies not only in its aesthetic appeal but also in its ability to effortlessly adapt to various white gold jewellery designs. 

Whether it’s a delicate necklace, an ornate bracelet, or a statement ring, white gold’s versatility allows it to shine in any setting. Its inherent elegance and timeless charm make it a favourite choice for both everyday wear and special occasions, ensuring that white gold remains a cherished and beloved choice for discerning jewellery lovers.

Composition and Properties: Understanding the Differences

Pure gold consists of at least 99.9% gold, which gives it its characteristic yellow hue. However, this precious metal is relatively soft and malleable, making it less suitable for gold jewellery that requires strength and durability. To address this, yellow gold is often mixed with other metals, such as copper or silver, to create different gold alloys with varying properties and colours.

White gold is created by alloying pure gold with white metals such as nickel, palladium, or silver. The addition of these alloying metals gives white gold its distinctive silvery-white colour. To achieve the desired appearance, the ratio of gold to alloying metals may vary. 

Additionally, white gold jewellery is often plated with a thin layer of rhodium to enhance its shine and maintain its bright white colour over time.

Advantages and Disadvantages: Weighing the Pros and Cons

Exploring the advantages and disadvantages of yellow gold and white gold will help you make an informed choice that suits personal preferences and style for your gold jewellery.

Yellow Gold

Advantages:

  1. Timeless Elegance: Yellow gold carries a classic appeal that transcends trends and time, making it an enduring choice for gold jewellery.
  2. Resistant to Tarnish: Pure gold is highly resistant to tarnish, corrosion, and rust, ensuring that your jewellery retains its lustrous appearance.

Disadvantages

  1. Softness: Pure gold is relatively soft, making it more prone to scratches and dents. It requires careful handling and maintenance to preserve its beauty.
  2. Higher Cost: Compared to white gold, pure yellow gold is often more expensive due to its higher purity level.

White Gold

Advantages:

  1. Versatility: White gold offers the appeal of silver-coloured jewellery while retaining the durability and prestige associated with gold. It provides a versatile option for a wide range of jewellery designs.
  2. Modern Aesthetic: White gold has a contemporary look that complements a variety of styles, making it a popular choice among fashion-forward individuals.

Disadvantages:

  1. Rhodium Plating: Over time, the rhodium plating on white gold jewellery may wear off, requiring periodic re-plating to maintain its bright white appearance.
  2. Allergies: Some individuals may have allergic reactions to certain alloying metals, such as nickel, commonly used in white gold. It is important to consider any known metal allergies before selecting white gold jewellery.

Maintenance and Care: Preserving the Beauty of Gold and White Gold

Proper maintenance and care are crucial for both yellow gold and white gold jewellery to preserve their beauty and longevity. Here are some general tips to help you maintain your precious pieces:

Regular Cleaning:

  • Use a mild soap and warm water solution to clean your gold and white gold jewellery.
  • Gently scrub the jewellery with a soft brush, paying attention to hard-to-reach areas.
  • Rinse the jewellery thoroughly with clean water and pat dry with a soft cloth.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals:

  • Remove your gold and white gold jewellery before using harsh chemicals, such as bleach or chlorine, which can damage the metals and gemstones.

Storage:

  • Store your gold and white gold jewellery in separate compartments or soft pouches to prevent scratching and tangling.
  • Avoid exposing your jewellery to excessive moisture or direct sunlight, as it can cause damage and discoloration.

Professional Maintenance:

  • Periodically visit a reputable jeweller for professional cleaning, polishing, and inspection.
  • Professionals can assess the condition of your jewellery, check for loose gemstones or damaged settings, and provide any necessary repairs.

By following these maintenance guidelines, you can enjoy your gold and white gold jewellery for years to come, ensuring they continue to shine and retain their value.

Yellow gold and white gold offer distinct options for jewellery enthusiasts, each with its own allure, characteristics, and maintenance requirements. Yellow gold embodies timeless elegance and is highly resistant to tarnish, while white gold provides a contemporary alternative with its silvery-white appearance.

Understanding the composition, properties, advantages, disadvantages, and proper care of both yellow gold and white gold jewellery is essential when selecting the perfect piece. Whether you prefer the classic charm of yellow gold or the modern appeal of white gold, both options hold their unique beauty and significance.

As you embark on your journey to find the perfect piece of jewellery, consider 

the distinct qualities of yellow gold and white gold, allowing you to make an informed choice that reflects your personal style and resonates with your preferences.

White Gold Vs Silver

To the untrained eye, white gold and silver look and feel the same. However, they are two completely different substances. 

This post explains the difference between white gold and silver and then discusses the pros and cons of each.

Difference Between White Gold And Silver

White gold is a gold alloy containing palladium, nickel, zinc, rhodium and silver. The exact ratios of these metals vary according to the manufacturer, but gold typically comprises 37.5 per cent of the alloy. (By contrast, gold bars are 99.999 per cent gold). 

By contrast, silver is almost entirely silver. 925 Sterling silver is 92.5 per cent silver and 7.5 per cent other metals, usually copper. Fine silver (like fine gold) is more than 99 per cent silver. Silver coins are Sterling silver. 

Both white gold and sterling silver are hardier than pure gold and silver. Alloying improves their strength and durability characteristics. Pure gold or silver jewellery can break easily because these metals are soft in their natural state. 

White gold is shiny, similar to platinum. However, the shininess comes from the rhodium plating, not the white gold itself (the underlying metal is slightly yellow). 

Appearance

Silver is shiny and lustrous, like white gold, but has a slight hint of grey. It’s not quite as bright as rhodium but easy to texture and style. 

Price

White gold is more expensive than silver because it contains rare metals, such as gold and palladium. Interestingly, jewellers may charge more for white gold than regular yellow gold because some of the metals in it cost more per ounce than pure gold. 

Silver is a more abundant and cheaper metal than either gold or palladium. Gold is £47.50 per gram, and palladium is £47.10 per gram. On the other hand, silver is just £0.62 per gram. 

Maintenance

Rhodium protects white gold. However, it doesn’t last forever. You know it’s time to replace the plating when a gold colour starts showing through.

By contrast, marks on silver can appear more easily. Owners must clean and polish it regularly to keep it in good condition. 

For example, Sterling silver with a high copper content can form an oxidative layer on the surface, making it appear greyer than fine silver. This tarnishing doesn’t damage the silver, you can recover the metal later if needed, but it does affect the appearance. 

Pros And Cons Of White Gold

Pros: 

  • Shiny and lustrous
  • Usually less expensive than pure platinum
  • A popular choice for wedding bands

Cons:

  • Rhodium plating may require replacement
  • It may turn yellow over time as the rhodium plating wears off
  • It is not hypoallergenic because it may contain nickel

Pros And Cons Of Silver

Pros:

  • Inexpensive and beautiful
  • Looks great when new
  • Widely available and mimic the appearance and characteristics of more valuable metals
  • Cons:
  • Tarnishes easily due to the copper content
  • Softer than white gold, increasing the risk of silver marking
  • Requires regular cleaning and polishing to look its best

    Both white gold and silver are valuable metals, so if you own them, you should get them valued.

Understanding Carat Values in Scrap Gold

Introduction

If you are an investor, or you’re looking to buy or sell gold, it’s crucial to understand carat values and how they impact the value of scrap gold. The carat value is an indicator of the purity of the gold. If you’re shopping for jewellery, for example, you may have come across 24ct, 18ct or 9ct gold rings or necklaces. The higher the carat value, the more pure the gold. In this guide, we’ll explain carat values and their effect on scrap gold prices and outline ways to buy and sell gold for the best price.

Understanding carat values

The carat value is a measure of the purity of gold. The scale runs from 0 to 24, with 24-carat gold representing the purest gold on the market. The carat value of scrap gold is used to determine the ratio of gold to other metals or materials, such as copper, nickel and silver. 

It is common to come across gold that is marked 24ct, 18ct, 14ct and 9ct. A 24ct ring will be 99.9% pure gold compared to a 9ct gold ring, which will contain approximately 37.5% gold.

Differences between high and low-carat gold

  • Purity: the higher the carat value of the gold, the higher its purity. 
  • Value and function: pure gold is worth more but it’s not always the most practical choice. If you’re buying gold jewellery to wear every day, rather than investing in gold or looking for a piece for special occasions, for example, it may be better to choose an 18ct, 14ct or a 9ct piece, as they will be more durable. 
  • Strength and durability: pure gold is softer and less durable and hard-wearing than lower-carat gold. 

Colour: 24ct gold usually appears more yellow than lower-carat gold.

How to identify carat value

Understanding scrap gold carat purity levels is important for determining its value. In most cases, the easiest way to determine the carat value of scrap gold is to check the hallmark. Most pieces will be stamped, which will enable the buyer to learn more about the purity of the gold. Stamps and hallmarks vary according to location and origin.

If there is no stamp, or it’s impossible to identify the carat value through a visual inspection, there are other ways to confirm the purity of scrap gold before buying or selling. These include:

  1. Acid tests
  2. Electronic tests

The importance of identifying carat value when buying or selling

It is critical to identify the carat value of gold when buying or selling to ensure that you get the best price if you are selling and that you pay a fair price if you are purchasing gold. If you don’t know the carat value, you can’t estimate the value accurately and this means that you could lose money or fall foul of a scam or an unfair offer. 

Carat value is one of the main factors to consider when calculating profits when buying and selling scrap gold. If you own a 24ct gold necklace, for example, it will have a higher value than 18ct, 14ct and 9ct jewellery. 

Risks and challenges when buying and selling scrap gold

Buying and selling gold can be lucrative, but there are risks. These include market volatility and price fluctuations, fraud and scams. To minimise risks, follow these steps:

  1. Research: carry out thorough research and learn as much as possible about the market, gold prices and which factors impact the value of scrap gold.
  2. Find a reputable gold buyer and verify claims and accreditations
  3. Get a series of quotes before you accept an offer
  4. Learn as much as possible about the pieces you plan to buy or sell
  5. Make use of resources designed to help traders, investors and collectors, such as market analysis tools and gold trade associations

How do gold carat values compare to other precious metals?

The purity of gold is measured in carats. Silver and platinum purity are not classified using carats. The purity of silver and platinum is expressed in parts per thousand. The higher the figure, the higher the purity. 

Conclusion

Carat values are used to determine the purity of gold. If you are buying or selling scrap gold, it’s important to understand carat values. The purity of the gold will have a significant influence on its value. The purest form of gold is 24-carat gold. 

Avoid Being Scammed When Selling Gold Jewellery

Key Takeaways

• Selling gold jewellery or scrap gold for cash can be lucrative but beware of scams that have become increasingly prevalent.

• Researching gold buyers and knowing the value of your gold are two crucial steps to reduce the risk of being scammed and ensure you get a fair price.

• Look for reputable gold buyers with a proven track record and positive reviews and avoid deals that seem too good to be true.

Introduction

Selling gold jewellery or gold for scrap can be lucrative, but it’s essential to be aware of scams. Gold scams have become increasingly prevalent as selling gold for cash has become more popular. If you have gold jewellery to sell, it’s hugely beneficial to be aware of scams, to learn to spot suspicious behaviour and red flags and to take steps to protect yourself and get the best price. In this guide, we’ll share some top tips to help you sell gold safely.

How to sell gold jewellery safely

There are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of being scammed and losing money on your gold. The two most important golden rules to follow are:

  1. Researching gold buyers and avoiding scammers

The first step to take if you’re selling gold rings or you’re downsizing or decluttering and you’re looking to swap gold for cash is to research companies. Look for reputable gold buyers that have a proven track record and positive reviews and search for buyers that are members of the National Association of Jewellers. Avoid websites that don’t have the relevant security measures in place and gold buyers that are not accredited. It’s best to avoid social media sites and marketplaces.

  1. Knowing the value of your gold

It is essential to research the value of your gold as well as gold buyers to avoid being ripped off by dealers or websites that offer prices that are far lower than the market value. Ask for multiple opinions, research online using reputable, reliable and trustworthy resources and don’t rush into making a decision. Take your time to compare offers. If you think you have pieces that are worth a lot of money, it’s worth considering paying for a professional appraisal. If you go into a negotiation with an accurate idea of the value of your gold, this will maximise the chances of getting a fair price.

Common mistakes to avoid when selling gold

Scammers use sophisticated techniques and they can be very persuasive. To avoid gold scams, here are some common mistakes to be aware of:

  1. Rushing into a deal: take your time to get several quotes, compare offers and research buyers and market values before you make a decision. 
  1. Avoid deals that seem too good to be true: scammers will often lure customers in with deals and adverts that seem too good to be true. If you suspect that the seller isn’t legitimate, or the goalposts keep moving after the initial contact, walk away. 
  1. Accepting a lowball offer: a lowball offer is an offer that is substantially below the market value or the price the seller is willing to accept. Untrustworthy gold buyers will often chance their arm by going in very low and trying to pressure vendors into accepting an offer. If you’re not happy with the price, don’t hesitate to reject it. 
  1. Taking the first offer: it’s always beneficial to get multiple quotes before you sell gold jewellery. This will help you get an understanding of how much your gold is worth and it will often result in a higher sale price. 

Conclusion

Selling gold jewellery can be a minefield because there are scammers and untrustworthy buyers out there. If you’re looking to sell gold for cash, it’s crucial to ensure you get a fair price. Research gold buyers, look for reputable companies that are accredited, research gold prices and get multiple quotes and offers. Avoid social media and marketplace websites, take your time to consider offers and walk away if you feel that the price is unjust or the buyer is trying to pressure you into making a decision. 


Best ways to sell your jewellery

Key Takeaways:

• Factors impacting the value of jewellery include quality, rarity, and market demand.

• Preparing jewellery for sale by carrying out repairs and cleaning can help increase its value.

• Options for selling jewellery include selling online,auctions or directly to dealers and pawnbrokers.


If you’re selling silver or gold jewellery, it’s understandable to want to get the best price. Whether you’re downsizing, your tastes have changed, or you’re trying to boost your earnings, it’s wise to be aware of tips and tricks to help make the process of selling simple and stress-free and maximise your chances of getting a good offer.

Which factors impact the value of jewellery?

There are several factors that impact the value of jewellery. The most influential include:

  1. Quality: the quality of your jewellery will play a significant role in its valuation. The higher the quality in terms of precious metals or gemstones, the higher its value. 
  1. Rarity: rare items of jewellery often command high prices, especially during periods when specific styles are very popular and sought-after. 
  1. Market demand: market demand drives prices. If the demand is high, values will increase. If the demand falls, prices will decrease. 

How to prepare your jewellery for sale

When you sell jewellery, it’s beneficial to give yourself the best chance of getting the offer you want. Before you advertise a piece online or visit a dealer or a pawnbroker, follow these simple steps to prepare for sale:

  1. Repairs: damaged jewellery that is in poor condition is not as valuable or as appealing to buyers as pieces that are in good condition. For fine jewellery, it is often beneficial to carry out repairs before you sell to boost the price. 
  1. Cleaning: cleaning is an easy, effective way to enhance the visual appeal of jewellery and increase your chances of receiving a great offer. Always ensure that you follow expert instructions when cleaning and polishing jewellery. You should avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning gold jewellery and gems, for example.
  2. If your damaged or worn jewellery is beyond economical repair, consider a scrap gold buying service.

What are the options for selling jewellery and which is the best?

Today, there is a broad spectrum of options available to people who are looking to sell jewellery. Here are some of the most popular options and the advantages and disadvantages they offer:

  • Selling online

Selling online is a convenient option, which enables customers to sell quickly with minimal effort. As well as being able to sell without stress, selling online can also be a cost-effective option. If you choose to sell via a site like UK Scrap Gold, you can take advantage of better prices than dealerships and pawnbrokers because overheads are lower. 

  • Online marketplaces and auctions

Selling items via online auctions and marketplaces has become incredibly popular in the last decade. The main advantage of online marketplaces and auctions is that they offer quick, easy sales processes. The primary drawback is that you don’t have a huge amount of control over the price unless you specify a minimum offer value. You may also have to pay substantial fees to list and sell your item.

  • Auction houses

Auction houses run in-house and online auctions, offering people the opportunity to bid on pieces they like. Selling at auction can be lucrative, especially if there is a lot of interest in the item and this sparks a bidding war, but it can also be risky. There are no guarantees that the item will sell and you could receive a lot less than you hoped unless you set a reserve price. It can also take time to find a suitable auction house and sale. Fees are payable. 

  • Selling direct to dealers and pawnbrokers

If you have jewellery to sell, you may be thinking about going to a dealer or visiting a pawnbroker. Selling direct can provide access to instant funds and simplify the process but dealers and pawnbrokers tend to offer less than online websites because their overheads are higher. 

Strategies to get the best price

Here are some strategies to help you get the best price for your jewellery:

  1. Carry out thorough research: find out more about the history of your jewellery, the value of the pieces you own, the level of market demand and current prices. 
  1. Negotiate: be prepared to negotiate to get the best offer possible. 
  1. Get your timing right: timing can impact prices dramatically. Aim to sell when market demand is high.

Conclusion

There are several options to explore when selling jewellery. Before you decide how to sell, research the market, get some valuations and make sure your pieces are ready for sale. Negotiate, keep an eye on prices and levels of demand and weigh up the pros and cons of different selling opportunities. 

How to Clean Your Gold

Gold is a beautiful metal, but it looks its best when it’s well cared for. Whether your gold is in the form of jewellery, coins, bullion, or anything else, gold cleaning and polishing can help to maintain it.

When you clean gold, you obviously don’t want to damage it in any way. It’s important to use the right methods that will help your gold to look clean and bright without causing any problems. Fortunately, there are plenty of tried and tested methods that you can use to clean your gold in a safe way.

Methods for Cleaning Gold

There are various methods for you to explore to clean any gold items you own. You can choose whichever method works for you.

Gold cleaning solutions

If you want to clean any gold items that you own, you could start by looking at gold cleaning solutions. These commercial products are designed to clean gold gently and efficiently, and they can be a quick and simple way to ensure you clean your gold safely.

Household cleaners

However, if you want to save money, you might want to explore other methods. There are some everyday household products that you could use to clean gold. For example, a little washing-up liquid mixed with some lukewarm water can be an effective solution for cleaning gold. You can also use sparkling/carbonated water (sodium-free), which can help to loosen dirt. You can soak your gold in the solution for around 15 to 30 minutes, then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub away dirt before rinsing and drying.

Another option is to use a few drops of ammonia mixed with water. However, ammonia is strong, so be sure to only soak your items for a few minutes at most.

If you have any jewellery with glued-in gemstones, avoid soaking these in water. It can cause the stones to become loose. Instead, you can wipe the jewellery down with a soapy cloth, then finish it with a clean, damp cloth.

Professional cleaning

If you’re not sure about cleaning your gold at home, you could also choose to have it cleaned professionally. While this might be a more expensive option, some people prefer to use a professional service if they’re looking for complete peace of mind.

Polishing Your Gold

If you want to give your gold an extra polish, perhaps in between cleans, you can use a microfibre cloth. These soft cloths are also useful for drying your gold items after you have washed them. A jeweller’s cloth can be used to do the same job. This can help to give your gold a little extra shine.

How Often Should You Clean Gold?

What are the signs that you need to clean gold items, and how often should you do it? Gold can generally stand up to frequent and gentle cleaning, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to clean it all the time. Gold jewellery that you wear often should be cleaned more often. A gentle weekly clean should be sufficient, and you can use deep cleaning methods if there’s any reason your gold jewellery might be dirtier than usual. Jewellery that you only wear on occasion probably only needs to be cleaned when it looks dirty.

As for other gold items, you probably don’t need to clean them if they don’t appear dirty or tarnished. The occasional clean and polish can help to make them look their best.

What Causes Gold to Tarnish?

Gold may become dirty from being worn or other factors.Pure gold does not tarnish but jewellery is usually made of an alloy of gold and other metals such as silver and copper and can tarnish due to a chemical reaction that causes a dull film to form. This can eventually turn black if it isn’t cleaned off, causing your gold jewellery to look unsightly. There are also certain things that can make tarnishing worse, such as wearing gold jewellery while swimming.

Protecting Your Gold

As well as understanding the best methods for gold restoration when it needs cleaning, you can take steps to protect your gold. If you protect it, you can prevent it from becoming dirty and tarnished. For good gold maintenance, keep your gold somewhere clean and dry. If you have gold jewellery, avoid wearing it when you’re sweaty, working out, or going swimming. There are also some products you can use to spray gold items to create a protective layer that helps to repel dirt.

Cleaning your gold will help it to stay looking smart so it retains its value. If you have any gold items, make sure you understand proper gold maintenance.

Gold-Plated Vs Gold Filled

Neither gold-plated nor gold-filled jewellery is solid gold. However, these two processes are different from each other. 

This post explores what the terms “gold-plated” and “gold-filled” actually mean and the pros and cons of each. 

What Is Gold-Plated? 

Jewellers make gold-plated jewellery by coating a base metal, usually brass, silver, copper or nickel, with gold. The gold layer is exceptionally thin, only enough to give items the appearance of solid gold, nothing more. Items using this method are approximately 0.05 per cent gold by weight, but it depends on the process.

Gold-plating begins with surface preparation. Jewellers remove oils and dirt and polish the material to accept the new gold layer. Base metals then undergo a second electro- or ultrasonic cleaning to eliminate any remaining residue. 

Once cleaned, jewellers can begin the strike process. Here, they apply thin nickel plating between the base metal and where they will deposit the gold. This layer acts as a buffer and prevents contamination of the precious metal. 

Following rinsing, manufacturers apply another base layer (usually nickel, but it depends on the underlying material) and then add the final coating. Gold-plating involves submerging the jewellery item in a vat of gold ions and applying an electric charge. The charge causes gold to deposit thinly and evenly over the surface of the jewellery, giving it the appearance of solid gold, but without the cost. 

What Is Gold-Filled?

By contrast, gold-filled jewellery is where manufacturers take a cheap base metal and then wrap it in a solid gold layer. Like regular gold jewellery, gold-filled items come in various purities, including 10K, 14K, 18K and 24K. 

Gold-filled jewellery has a higher gold content by weight than gold-plated. Items usually contain 5 per cent (or more) gold, with the rest being a cheap base metal. 

The process of making gold-filled jewellery is different from gold-plating. Jewellers start with a base metal and then sandwich it between two layers of gold (or gold alloys). Applying heat and pressure to the metals creates a chemical bond, causing them to fuse, yielding a solid piece of jewellery. 

The Pros And Cons Of Gold-Plated Vs Gold-Filled Jewellery

Deciding whether to get gold-plated or gold-filled jewellery can be challenging. Here’s a rundown of the advantages and disadvantages of each across several dimensions: 

Cost

Gold-plated jewellery is significantly cheaper than gold-filled jewellery because it uses so little gold. However, gold-filled is still far less expensive than solid gold. 

The price of gold-filled depends on the carat. The purer the metal, the more you pay. 

Durability

Gold-filled jewellery is durable because it is made by sandwiching base metals between solid gold or gold alloy. Therefore, it takes on the longevity qualities of regular gold. 

By contrast, gold-plated jewellery is less durable. Because the gold layer is only a few microns thick, the risk of it rubbing off is higher.

Tarnishing

Lastly, neither gold-filled nor gold-plated jewellery should tarnish if cared for correctly. However, the thin layer of gold on gold-plated items can wear off quickly, exposing the corrosion-prone base metal. 

Selling Gold Jewellery? Read this First! 

You can make money fast by selling your old or unwanted pieces of gold jewellery. But there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to secure the best price. Read on for our top three tips. 

1. Understand the real worth of your jewellery  

Our first tip is to understand how you can realise the true worth of your gold jewellery. This involves looking at the item and its component parts separately.  

Scrap gold buyers are very specialised companies. At UK Scrap Gold, for example, we handle the full end-to-end process from buying scrap gold, to testing and validating its purity and finally smelting it down to be recycled into new gold products.

This means we have an efficient business, and we can give you some of the best prices on the market for your scrap gold. But it also means we’re not necessarily the best people to speak to when there’s another item involved, such as a substantial ruby or an emerald.  

So, we suggest you remove any significant precious stones before selling your gold. That way, you can keep them if they’re important to you, or sell them on to a specialist.  

Meanwhile, we’ll give you a price based purely on the weight of the gold in the item you sell to us with no hidden charges or processing fees. 

2. Sell to a business you trust   

Next step in securing the best price for your gold is to find a business you can trust. Unfortunately, not all online scrap gold buyers are who they say they are, so it’s essential to seek out businesses with a loyal customer base and many years of experience. 

At UK Scrap Gold, we take great pride in our reputation and the relationships and trust we have built with our customers. We’ve been operating for over 20 years with a team of experts who you can speak to about your scrap gold sale.  

Feel free to contact us by phone or email, or you can even come to visit us in person at our physical location in Wolverhampton. We operate through a system of appointments in order to keep you and your gold secure.  

3. Look for transparent gold prices 

Finally, take some time to look for a guide on how much you’ll receive for your gold. Familiarise yourself with the different prices that businesses offer you before you make a decision on who you want to sell to and prioritise those who are transparent with their pricing. 

At UK Scrap Gold you can use our calculator for a quick and easy way to find out the value of your gold should you sell to us. Our website also has a price comparison feature so you can look at our rates in comparison to some of our competitors. These are just some of the small steps we have taken to maintain transparency with our customers.  

Sell your gold jewellery today 

By recycling your gold to create new products, we provide your jewellery with a new life! It’s also an increasingly important way of reducing the negative impact that gold mining has on the planet, including the pollution of waterways and the destruction of protected natural reserves.  

Your contribution helps reduce the need to mine for new gold, a small but significant step towards protecting our planet. Fill out our form to find out how much you can get for your gold today! Any questions? Give us a call we’ll be happy to help. 

Sell Scrap Gold After Her Majesty The Queen’s Passing

Queen Elizabeth II’s death on September 8th brought her historic 70-year reign to an end. As Britain’s longest serving monarch her image featured on currency across the globe.  

Indeed, her portrait is marked on all the UK’s 29 billion coins and 4.7 billion banknotes in circulation today. She had worldwide influence as the sovereign head of state to 15 nations and head of the Commonwealth of more than 50 others, her image is prominent on more than 20 currencies.  

The remarkable longevity of her reign has meant she is one of the most recognisable people in modernity and coins minted at historic points in her reign will remain highly collectible – take for instance the 2012 Diamond Jubilee and 2022 Platinum Jubilee Gold Sovereign coins.  

Please note that whilst we do not buy general circulation coins, we are keen to purchase silver and gold commemorative and bullion coins and coin sets. 

In this article, we will outline why now could be a good time to sell scrap gold. 

When will King Charles III feature on currency? 

The biggest change to UK currency in seven decades is underway – since Queen Elizabeth II replaced her father George VI as monarch. Historically, when a new monarch is crowned the onerous process of minting new currency featuring their portrait begins. 

Therefore, notes and coins featuring the Queen’s image will slowly be replaced by King Charles III. This is likely to take many years and the Royal Mint and Bank of England have confirmed that all coins with Queen Elizabeth II’s profile image will remain legal tender until they are replaced. 

What does this mean for gold sellers? 

If you’re lucky enough to have a gold Sovereign or a gold Britannia at home, you will be aware of the number of coins featuring the image of Queen Elizabeth II. Even before the Queen’s death in September 2022 there had been a marked increase in demand for coins featuring the Queen’s image. This was prompted by the Platinum Jubilee in June which celebrated her 70-year reign. Demand for coins bearing Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait has further spiked since Her Majesty’s passing. This means now could be a good time to sell gold coins and scrap gold in general. 

The price of gold has climbed in the weeks after Her Majesty’s death – gold was priced at £47.81 per gram on September 8th – compared to the time of writing, October 6th, when one gram of gold is worth £49.20. 

Whether you have unwanted or broken jewellery at home or an investment coin you’d like to sell, now could be a good time to benefit from today’s high price and demand for gold.  

Sell your scrap gold in three easy steps 

Many people don’t realise that they have scrap gold items at home. We buy a wide range of common items including, jewellery, coins, gold bullion, watches, and dental gold. 

1. Get our best price – input your scrap metal’s characteristics using our scrap gold calculator – all you need to know is your item’s weight and purity.   

2. Send your items –  alongside a completed copy of our seller’s form, we recommend using a Royal Mail Special Delivery tamper-proof envelope for maximum security and choosing Royal Mail’s Special Delivery Guaranteed service. 

3. Payment within 2 hours – we send your payment via bank transfer on the same day we receive your parcel. 

Upcoming Royal Mail strikes – 13th, 20th and 25th October 
Industrial action continues within the postal service. We recommend using Royal Mail’s Special Delivery Guaranteed service for peace of mind in normal circumstances, but especially now as it is prioritised during industrial action. End-to-end tracking and signature on delivery means you’ll know where your package is at all points on its journey. 

As mentioned, we please complete our seller’s form when you’re happy with the price we have quoted and you’re ready to sell. At UK Scrap Gold, we’re a dedicated team of gold experts, so should you require any help don’t hesitate to call us 01902 828 400 or contact us today.