Gold jewelry comes in many forms—gold plated, gold vermeil, gold-filled, and solid gold. Our personal favorite? Gold filled jewelry. It’s durable, beautiful, and affordable. But what exactly is gold filled jewelry? Understanding the differences in composition and characteristics can help you make an informed decision when buying jewelry, ensuring you get the quality and value you deserve.
Read on to learn more about gold filled jewelry and why we love using it for our pieces. If you’re curious about the other types of gold jewelry, be sure to check out our blog on Types of Gold Jewelry.
What Does Gold-Filled Mean?
Gold-filled jewelry is made by bonding a solid layer of gold to a base metal, typically jeweler’s brass, using heat and pressure. The gold layer in gold filled pieces must be at least 5% or 1/20th of the total weight of the item.
Unlike gold plating, which simply coats a metal surface, gold filled jewelry is mechanically bonded. This means the gold won’t fade or rub off easily, and it’s resistant to tarnishing. These qualities make gold filled jewelry an excellent and affordable alternative to solid gold.
What is Gold Filled Jewelry?
Gold-filled jewelry refers to items made with a thick layer of gold bonded to a base metal. Since gold-filled jewelry contains at least 5% gold by weight, the size and weight of the piece influence the amount of gold it contains—and, of course, its price. Therefore, the larger or heavier a gold-filled item is, the more expensive it will be.
The gold used in these pieces is typically 14k gold, which is made of 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals such as silver, copper, and zinc. You’ll often see gold-filled pieces marked with “GF” and a karat number, such as 1/20GF, 14/20GF, or 12/20GF. These markings indicate that the piece is gold filled and show the percentage and karat of gold used.
We love using gold filled whenever possible in our collections. Some of our favorites include the Seren Starburst Necklace, Mei Hoop Earrings, Lori Freshwater Pearl Necklace and Rope Gold-Filled Stacking Necklace.
Does Gold Filled Jewelry Tarnish?
Gold filled jewelry is resistant to tarnishing thanks to its solid gold layer. However, like all jewelry, it can tarnish over time if exposed to moisture, chemicals, sweat, or pollutants.
To help maintain its beauty, we recommend storing your gold-filled jewelry in an airtight bag when not in use for extended periods. If tarnishing occurs, simply clean it with mild soap and water or use a polishing cloth. For extra shine, our Polishing Cloth works wonders!
Advantages of Gold-Filled Jewelry
Gold filled jewelry offers many of the same benefits as solid gold at a fraction of the cost. Here's a breakdown of why we love gold filled:
The Gold Won’t Rub Off: The thick layer of gold is bonded to the base metal using heat and pressure, so it won’t wear off like gold plating.
Waterproof and Tarnish Resistant: Just like solid gold, gold filled jewelry resists tarnishing and can withstand everyday wear, including exposure to water.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: The gold forms a barrier between your skin and the base metal, minimizing the risk of allergic reactions, especially for those sensitive to nickel.
Durable: Unlike pure 24k gold, which is soft and can easily scratch, gold filled jewelry is stronger and more resistant to wear and tear.
More Affordable than Solid Gold: Gold filled jewelry has a core of base metal with a thick gold layer, making it more affordable than solid gold pieces.
Easy to Care For: Gold filled jewelry is naturally tarnish resistant and easy to clean. A simple wash with mild soap and water will keep it shining.
Versatile: Since gold filled jewelry has the appearance of solid gold, it pairs effortlessly with your existing gold jewelry, expanding your collection without the steep price tag.
Disadvantages of Gold-Filled Jewelry
While gold filled jewelry offers many benefits, there are a few limitations due to the way it’s made:
Limited Design Options: Gold filled jewelry is only available in wire or sheet form, which means it can't be poured into molds like other types of jewelry. This restricts design possibilities.
Visible Solder Marks: When gold filled wire is soldered, it uses silver solder, which can leave visible marks on joints, especially in rings and links. While some pieces are flash gold-plated to cover these marks, they may become visible over time.
Not as Valuable as Solid Gold: Gold filled jewelry is not as valuable as solid gold, as it contains less gold overall. Solid gold pieces are generally more expensive and hold higher value over time.
Brazilian Gold-Filled vs. US Gold-Filled
Brazilian gold filled is a popular option that contains 1/30th (3%) of 18k gold over a base metal. This has about 40% less gold than US gold filled but still lasts well with proper care. We carry a few pieces made from Brazilian gold filled, including the Herringbone Necklace and Chunky Rope Bracelet, to offer more affordable options.
Gold Plated vs. Gold-Filled: Which is Better?
Gold plated jewelry features a thin layer of gold deposited onto the base metal using an electrical process. In contrast, gold filled jewelry has a thicker layer of gold that is pressure bonded to the base metal, making it much more durable and long-lasting.
Gold filled jewelry is a superior option for quality and longevity, while gold plated jewelry is more affordable but tends to wear out quickly and can tarnish. Gold plated items are generally not waterproof and may cause skin irritation.
Gold Vermeil vs. Gold-Filled: Which is Better?
Gold vermeil is a thicker layer of gold plated onto sterling silver, which ensures a longer-lasting piece than standard gold plating. However, over time, the gold may wear off in high-contact areas. Gold filled jewelry, on the other hand, features a thick gold layer bonded to a base metal, ensuring that it won’t rub off and is more durable overall.
Gold filled and gold vermeil each have their place in jewelry design. For pieces like North Star Necklace and Fiona Herringbone Necklace, we may opt for gold vermeil, as it allows us to achieve specific design elements that aren’t possible with gold filled.
Where to Buy Gold-Filled Jewelry
When shopping for gold filled jewelry, it’s important to buy from reputable sellers to ensure the authenticity and quality of the pieces. Some sellers may falsely claim items as “gold filled,” so be cautious. Support small businesses, like ours, that prioritize genuine gold filled jewelry and sustainable practices.
By choosing quality gold-filled jewelry, you’re investing in pieces that are beautiful, durable, and affordable allowing you to enjoy the elegance of solid gold without the hefty price tag.
Why Support Our Small Business?
As a minority woman-owned business, we’re committed to providing sustainable, high-quality jewelry at accessible prices. By shopping with us, you get:
We hope you’ll fall in love with gold-filled jewelry just like we have. Whether you're looking for a statement piece or a subtle accent, our collection is designed to last and shine, day after day.
Check out our bestsellers and see for yourself!
Comments