What is 14k Gold Filled Jewellery?
We love the quality of 14k gold fill, as it means we can create beautiful, durable pieces that have the look and feel of solid gold at an affordable price.
Gold-filled items are made with a very thick layer of 14k gold, which is bonded with heat and pressure to a core of high quality jeweller’s brass. This process doesn’t just apply a layer of gold that sits on top of the base (as with plated pieces), it fuses them together making it very strong. This makes 14k gold fill a great option for those with sensitive skin or allergies.
If cared for properly, your gold filled jewellery can offer many years of wear.
Have some questions about gold fill? We’ve compiled answers to FAQ’s below which we hope will be helpful.
What is the difference between gold plated and gold-filled jewellery?
Firstly, the amount of gold in gold fill pieces is much higher than in plated. Gold fill contains 100 times more gold, making gold stand up to wear and tear much better. The standards for 14k gold fill are regulated so you can be sure that 5% of the piece will be pure gold by weight, whereas there is no requirement for gold plated pieces and you can't be sure how much gold is in the plated layer.
The second main difference is how they are created
Gold fill: The core metal (jeweller’s brass) is sandwiched between two layers of real gold alloy which is bonded together with heat and pressure. This results in a thick layer of gold fused durably to the core, making up 1/20th (5%) of the weight.
Gold plated: An electric current is used to negatively charge the base metal, which is then dipped into a positively charged solution containing gold ions. The two metals are attracted to one another and a thin layer of gold forms on top of the core (often only 0.05% of the weight.)
So what does this mean?
Gold filled jewellery is a wonderful, high quality alternative to solid gold at a much more affordable price. Whereas you can expect the gold on plated pieces to wear off fairly quickly (exposing the base metal), the thickness and strength of gold filled results in a beautiful, long lasting piece.
Will gold fill tarnish?
14k gold fill is very tarnish resistant, and should not tarnish easily. There are a few very rare circumstances that can cause it to happen, but gold-filled usually just needs gentle cleaning with a jewellery cloth or mild soapy water.
What is rose gold filled?
14k rose gold filled has a beautiful rosy hue and is the same high quality as our (yellow) gold filled items. It contains the same amount of 14k gold, it just has a small amount of copper added to change the colour.
Will gold fill rust?
No, the metals used in gold fill are not able to rust.
Will gold fill flake off?
No, gold filled items are made by bonding a thick layer with heat and pressure to the brass core, so it is not prone to flaking off. Flaking is common with plated items, as the gold is an extremely thin layer applied in a different way.
Is gold filled jewellery hypoallergenic?
Most people find that they can wear gold filled jewellery with no irritation. If you are able to wear solid gold, then you should find that gold filled is also a suitable option.
Does gold fill contain nickel?
No, our gold filled jewellery doesn’t contain any nickel.
Can I wear gold fill jewellery in the shower?
Yes, you can go ahead and shower with gold filled jewellery as long as you make sure your hair and body products are gentle. It is fine for gold fill to get wet, but we would always recommend avoiding getting any harsh chemicals on it (particularly sunscreen!)
Can I swim in gold fill jewellery?
No, always keep your jewellery away from chlorine and remove your gold fill jewellery before going in a pool, hot tub or salt water.
Can I exercise in gold fill jewellery?
Always take your jewellery off before exercising to keep it bright and looking it’s best.
Can I wear my gold filled jewellery to sleep?
We would always recommend removing your jewellery before you go to bed, to avoid them getting damaged. Delicate chains could get caught on clothes or bedding and snag, so try and remember to remove them at the end of each day.
How do I care for gold filled jewellery?
We go over the best ways to care for your gold fill and sterling silver jewellery in a separate journal post here, but a few key tips are:
Remove your jewellery at the end of the day and give it a gentle wipe with a soft cloth to remove oils/moisture.
If it starts to look a little dull, gently clean with mild soapy water, and wipe with a soft cloth.
Store in an airtight bag or box.
Avoid getting chemicals on your jewellery, such as moisturiser, sunscreen and perfume. Always pop your jewellery on last, after everything has absorbed into the skin.
Remove jewellery before exercising, swimming and sleeping.
Is 14k gold fill hallmarked?
14k gold filled pieces may have a ‘14/20 GF’ mark on them to indicate the material, but this isn’t always the case, or a requirement. Some items may be too fine and delicate to feature a mark, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that is isn’t genuine 14k gold fill. The 14/20 GF stamp is not a hallmark, simply an identifier.