What does gold-filled mean?
Gold-filled describes when a layer of 10kt or better gold is mechanically bonded with heat and pressure to one or more surfaces of the supporting base metal, then rolled or drawn to a given thickness. In the jewelry industry the quantity of gold must be at least 1/20th by weight of the total product. Under FTC regulations, a product may be marked as 14, 12 or 10kt gold-filled. This is superior to gold plated jewelry, since the layer of gold is thicker and will wear better. We choose not to use Gold Plate in any of our items as the plate wears off. Gold Fill is a more cost-efficient way of using long-lasting gold in jewelry. Gold Fill does not wear off.
I regularly use 14K gold-filled beads, spacers, clasps, wire, and other components. Gold filled is very different than gold plated. Gold-filled materials are made from 100 times more gold than gold plate. Gold filled involves bonding a sheet of 14K gold to a core of semi-precious metal, usually brass. Gold-filled components are much more affordable than 14K gold, and lasts a lifetime; examples from the earaly 1900s still appear brand new. By contrast, gold plating is a thin sheet of gold, generally adhered to a base metal. Depending on the thickness of the plating, it can be scraped or worn off within weeks or months.
