In my opinion, wearing fashion jewelry that is gold layered is a much better quality than your average plated jewelry which can be found at many department stores and retail mall stores(your average fashion jewelry). Gold Plated has lead base and is used in a factory that is based around melting faux metals which can harm the uv on the jewelry. a.k.a. that is why gold plated fashion jewelry tarnished and can break, it is weak lighting and that is why it is inexpensive. Now for Gold Layered Jewelry it is actually real speaks of gold that was layered or rubbed off gold pieces. They are then layered on top of the metal piece to give that effect of real gold. Honestly, I think Gold Layered has better quality and less harmful manufacturing components than your average gold plated jewelry.