MATERIALS
UNDERSTANDING OUR MATERIALS
At Golden Hour Co., we sell primarily 14K/18K gold-filled and sterling silver jewelry. We have expanded to select 14k solid gold jewelry. The durability of Golden Hour Co. jewelry is designed to be worn every day and withstand natural elements such as water, sweat, and wind. With proper care, Golden Hour Co. jewelry will last for years to come. We stand by the quality and value of the longevity of our jewelry. Investing in pieces that have a long life reduces the amount of consumption and limits the number of pieces that end up in landfills.
.925 STERLING SILVER
Sterling silver is made of a double alloy containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper) and is typically stamped “.925”. This material is hard enough to make jewelry out of, unlike soft 100% pure silver. Sterling Silver is prone to tarnishing (but not permanently) and can be polished with a polishing cloth to restore its silver shine. Golden Hour Co. sterling silver pieces are nickel-free, lead-free, and safe for all sensitive skin types.
GOLD PLATED JEWELRY (14K - 24K)
Gold plated jewelry consists of a very thin layer of gold applied on top of various metals (typically non-precious metals). This layer is so thin that it wears off with moisture, water, or everyday wear. Gold-plated jewelry tends to be very affordable, but it is not long-lasting and needs to be replaced quickly. The tarnishing that gold-plated jewelry creates is not reversible. The majority of gold-plated jewelry ends up discarded and in the earth’s landfills. Gold plated jewelry contains 0.5 to 2.5 microns of real gold.
GOLD VERMEIL (14K - 24K)
Gold Vermeil provides a thicker layer of gold applied over sterling silver. It is higher quality than gold-plated jewelry. It can and will tarnish, but the piece will last longer than those of gold-plated varieties. Gold vermeil contains at least 2.5 microns of real gold.
GOLD-FILLED (14k - 24k)
Gold-filled jewelry has a large, thick layer of gold applied over a sterling silver or brass core. This metal contains the highest percentage of real gold behind solid gold pieces. The process of adding gold to the piece involves using extreme heat and pressure. Our gold-filled jewelry is nickel and lead-free and is hypoallergenic. Gold-filled jewelry is highly resistant to tarnishing, chipping or wearing off and will last decades with proper care. Gold fill pieces range from 5-10 microns of real gold, providing longevity.
SOLID GOLD (9k - 24k)
The highest quality of jewelry is made of solid gold materials. There is little maintenance with solid gold jewelry and it is not capable of tarnishing. It is very long-lasting and extremely valuable. Solid gold material continues to rise each year and currently lies at $4900 - $5000 per ounce as of January 2026. Although this material is highly sought after, it is unattainable for the majority of the population.
