Gold-filled vs. Gold-plated

What's the difference between gold-filled and gold-plated? Gold-filled jewelry is made by wrapping layers of solid karat gold (in this case, 14K gold) around a base metal. Compared to the tiny layer of gold used in gold-plating that eventually wears off, gold-filled pieces contain up to 100 times more gold, meaning it shouldn't tarnish, peel or discolor over time. It's perfect for sensitive ears because only a thick layer of gold is in contact with the ear, not the base metal core.