Because of their endurance, gold filled jewelry is popular. Jewelers have discovered that adding this layer of gold is one technique to build objects that will not tarnish easily over time.
Despite the fact that the jewelry is not totally composed of gold, the thickness of precious metal added can last for years with careful care. That is conceivable because gold lasts a lifetime. That sort of thinking is what makes many people willing to spend money on gold-filled jewelry.
A gold-filled item is created by pressure attaching a coating of gold to a base metal.
This is done at incredibly high temperatures to ensure that the gold and metal beneath are completely and permanently bonded.
In addition, there is a significantly thicker layer of gold compared to, say, coating and cold plating. As a result, it will take much longer for the base metal to become apparent.
The base metal is commonly manufactured from a mixture of 90 percent copper and 10 percent brass.
The gold-filled construction also contributes to an item’s durability. There are single clad, double clad, and wire clad options.
For the first, it simply implies that the top portion of the jewelry is gold-filled but the bottom (or inner portion) is not.
The term “double-clad” refers to the base metal having a gold layer on both sides. Finally, wire clad refers to a wire that is gold-filled all around.
Given that the object is not entirely constructed of gold, it is less expensive than the precious metal itself.
Only the price indicates what metals were used and how the jewelry was manufactured; otherwise, no one can determine from a glance what metals were used or how the jewelry was manufactured.
As a result, if you don’t have the money to spend on gold, this is a more cost-effective option for you.
Also Read:-How to Wear Rings: Learn the Best Way
Difference Between Gold Plated and Gold Filled jewelry
Gold-filled jewelry has a significantly thicker outer layer of gold than gold-plated jewelry. Easily 100 times thicker than standard fast flash plating. Furthermore, the technique through which gold is actually attached to the outside of the object is significantly more durable for gold-filled than for gold plating.
The Gold-Plated Jewelry
To gold plate something, it is dipped into a gold-containing solution (or a gold-colored alloy) and then zapped with an electric current. A thin layer of gold is deposited onto the base metal as a result of an electrochemical process.
The process of applying a layer of gold onto a surface is referred to as gold plating. The thickness of gold varies widely across manufacturers. The Federal Trade Commission defines “gold plate” as.5 microns and “heavy gold plate” as 2.5 microns. Thinner coatings are also frequently mislabeled as “gold plated” whereas, according to FTC guidelines, they are “gold electroplate” at.175 microns or “gold flashed” or “gold washed” if the coating is less than that. It’s a little perplexing because all of the coatings listed above are electroplated, but that’s how the FTC classifies them.
The pieces we plate ourselves have a thickness of 4 microns for increased durability, however the great majority of gold-plated items have a thickness of less than 1 micron. Once you’ve surpassed that. There is no regulation governing the amount of gold used in the plating procedure, so it can be impossible to determine if you will receive a flash-plated piece or something with a bit more gold.
Gold Filled Jewelry
Gold-filled jewelry is created by mechanically adhering the gold to the core using severe pressure and heat. It produces a more durable exterior that is less prone to flaking or cracking.
Industry standards imply that you have faith in the product’s quality. A minimum of 5% gold by weight is necessary for an item to be labeled “gold-filled.” Well, the legal criteria for plating are highly ambiguous. It can be as thin as half a micron or as thick as a micron, and there is no way of knowing what thickness you are getting. In reality, something is frequently referred to be “gold plated” when it only has a gold-colored coating and no actual gold.
Furthermore, the core of 14k gold-filled is high-quality brass, which is a wonderful metal. Gold-plated items, on the other hand, may have a core of brass or steel, but they may also contain a number of other base metals that are not always revealed.
How to Care for Gold Filled Jewelry
Everyone wants their jewelry to last as long as possible. Owning something for more than ten years is a major deal since it speaks volumes about the quality and timeless nature of the item.
Let’s have a look at how to care for your gold-filled jewelry now. These suggestions can also be used to your other compositions.
- Wearing jewelry to swimming pools or the ocean is not recommended because the chlorine and seawater will corrode it.
- Avoid wearing your jewelry when cleaning since detergents and other cleaning chemicals are harsh on gold.
Wear jewelry last when working with cosmetics and skin care products, and remove it while using a cosmetic remover. - To clean your jewelry, combine warm water and mild detergent in a basin. Put the pieces in and soak them for five minutes before removing them.
- To remove any dirt and debris that may be present, remove the jewelry from the soaking bowl and, using a very delicate brush, dig into every nook and cranny to ensure everything is removed (use this step sparingly as excessive scrubbing can cause the gold to tarnish faster)
- After that, rinse your jewelry under warm running water.
- After that, pat it dry with a soft cloth. Avoid rubbing as this can result in discolouration.
- Use a jewelry towel to clean your pieces on a regular basis to maintain them gleaming and to eliminate any coating of grime.
- Because humidity damages the metal, keep your jewelry in a cool environment. This entails relocating your jewelry box in your room away from direct sunshine.
- When storing your jewelry, keep each piece in its own sealed bag because rubbing against one another causes it to lose its luster.
- No matter how lovely the jewelry is, avoid touching it even when it is on the body since it will discolor.
