Gold vs. Gold-Plated vs. Stainless Steel Jewellery: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever shopped for jewellery, you’ve likely seen terms like gold, gold-plated, and stainless steel. But what do they actually mean - and which should you choose?

Gold Jewellery

• Made entirely of real gold (commonly 14k or 18k).

• Luxurious and valuable, but expensive.

• Still soft and can scratch or bend easily.

Gold-Plated Jewellery

• A base metal (like brass or copper) coated with a thin layer of gold.

• Affordable but prone to tarnishing and fading over time.

• Requires lots of care to maintain.

Stainless Steel Jewellery

• Made from durable stainless steel, often plated with 18k gold for a luxe look.

• Hypoallergenic, waterproof, and tarnish-proof.

• Perfect for everyday wear without the luxury price tag.

💎 At Auria, we use 18k gold-plated stainless steel, so you get the beauty of gold with the strength and durability of steel - jewellery that truly lasts.