Let's talk about metals. 

14kt Gold Filled: This is a high quality gold plating. a thick layer of 14kt gold is bonded to the metal below. It will keep its gold look for a very long time, especially if it's kept dry. Gold Filled plating can be done over sterling or brass. 

Vermeil: Another high quality gold plating. A thick layer of 14kt, 18kt or 24kt gold over sterling silver.

14kt Gold Plated: 7-10 mils of shiny 14kt gold plating over brass. 

24kt Gold plated: 7-10 mils of 24kt gold plating over brass. It is then oxidized to darken the color and give it an antique brass look.

Aged Brass: No plating involved. This is raw brass that has been oxidized to darken it. It is then polished up and lightly coated to help it hold its antiqued color.

Sterling Silver: No plating involved. This is the same metal all the way through. Sterling silver is an alloy of silver and copper. It contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. That is why sterling silver is stamped .925.

Silver plated: A layer of nickel, sterling or silver base metal over brass.

A word about plating:

When something is plated, it is simply a layer of one metal over another metal. Plating will wear away over time. The wearing away process is slower if the piece is kept dry and not polished too aggressively but it will happen nevertheless as it comes into contact with our skin, oils, sweat and clothing. That's why plated pieces are much more affordable than buying something that is a solid precious metal like gold or sterling silver. 

Find the specific metal type in the description for each individual piece and contact us with any questions.