Understanding Jewelry Metals: Why I Choose Gold Fill + The Story Behind Solid Gold

Understanding Jewelry Metals: Why I Choose Gold Fill + The Story Behind Solid Gold

If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between sterling silver, gold plating, gold fill, and solid gold-you’re not alone.

Jewelry can look very similar on the surface, but the metal underneath makes a big difference in how a piece wears, ages, and lasts.

At Derive, I intentionally work with a few different metals so there’s something for every style, investment range, and way of wearing your jewelry.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, with the remaining portion made up of other metals that give it the strength needed for everyday jewelry.

It’s a beautiful, durable choice and a great metal to work with. Sterling silver naturally develops a patina over time, but it can easily be polished back to its original shine. We sell little polishing cloths that work great on silver pieces here. 

Pieces like my tidepool ring, stargazer herkimer diamond hoops in sterling silver, or everyday stacking ring in sterling silver are great examples of my sterling silver work.

Gold Plating vs. Gold Fill

These two are often confused, but they’re quite different.

Gold plated jewelry has a very thin layer of gold applied over another metal. Because that gold layer is so thin, it can eventually wear away with regular use, especially in pieces that experience lots of friction or contact with skin, water, lotions, and oils. For this reason, I made the choice when I started my jewelry company not to make gold plated jewelry. 

14k gold fill, on the other hand, has a much thicker layer of solid 14k gold (100x more) mechanically bonded to a base metal. The gold layer is substantially more durable than traditional plating due to the different fabrication process and amount of gold, and is designed for everyday wear.

That’s why 14k gold fill is the metal I choose for much of my everyday collection. 

It gives you the warm, beautiful look of 14k gold without the price of a solid gold piece, while still offering excellent durability for daily wear.

For example, my Gold Fill Moonstone Origin Fringe Earrings and mini teardrop Gold Fill Earrings are designed to be pieces you can reach for again and again.

So Why Solid Gold?

For years, I’ve loved the accessibility and durability of gold fill. But I also heard from customers who wanted something a little more permanent-something they could wear for decades, pass down, or simply invest in as a special piece.

That’s where Solstice was born.

The Elevated Solstice Collection is my collection of solid 14k gold pieces, created for those who want the real thing: a precious-metal piece designed to become part of your story for years to come.

These are heirloom-quality pieces with the same earth, ocean, and sky-inspired spirit of Derive, just elevated into solid gold. Many of the pieces I have released so far have been on my sketch pad for some time... now brought to life. 

And because jewelry is personal, many Solstice pieces can also be custom ordered in rose gold or white gold, and customized with a variety of diamonds and gemstones. To request a quote for a Derive design in a different metal- fill out this form.

Which Metal Is Right for You?

There isn’t one “best” metal-it depends on how you want to wear your jewelry and what you’re looking for.

Sterling silver: Beautiful, classic, and accessible.

14k gold fill: A durable, more affordable option for everyday gold jewelry.

Solid 14k gold: A precious-metal investment designed to last for generations.

Whichever you choose, my goal is the same: to create jewelry that feels meaningful, wearable, and connected to the journey that brought you to it.

Born from the earth, inspired by the journey.