Gold Filled vs. Gold Plated

14k Gold Filled

We have been working with 14k gold filled since 2009 and we choose to work with 14k gold-filled because it allows us to offer top-of-the-line quality at an affordable price. The thick outer layer of gold makes it highly durable and safe for people with allergies or sensitive skin.

14K Gold filled means that the item has a core metal with a thick layer of 14K gold bonded over it with heat and pressure. The base or core metal for our 14K Gold filled items is jeweller’s brass (90% copper and 10% zinc). A 14K gold alloy is bonded to this with heat and pressure. There is no nickel in Yellow or Rose Gold filled. The 14k bonded gold is an alloy as it is less than 24K solid Gold. Gold filled is 5% gold by weight and covers all around the wire in a solid layer. With a little care gold filled jewelry can give you a lifetime of wear

Gold filled provides a reasonably priced, quality alternative to solid gold.

 

Gold Plating

We also use gold plating with some of our nameplates (please make sure to pay attention when ordering those - nameplates are the only items we use gold plate material with)

Gold plating is a method of depositing a thin layer of gold onto the surface of another metal, most often copper or silver, by chemical or electrochemical plating.  

Gold plated jewelry is a good substitute for solid gold jewelry because it is difficult to tell the difference between the two and gold plated jewelry is nowhere near as expensive! 

You should be able to maintain high-quality gold-plated jewelry for up to five years with proper care. “It's really a matter of keeping it away from the elements—salt, water, sweat, and high humidity—and chemicals from cleaners or perfumes”.