Most of our gold jewelry is 14K Gold Filled. 14K Gold Filled is much higher quality and longer lasting than 14K Gold Plating or other ordinary plating metals, and has the look, feel and durability of 14K Gold jewelry at a much more affordable price. (see below). 14K Gold Filled can be worn by most people without allergic reactions.
This type of metal is not commonly used and is not usually available in major retail stores. Most costume or fashion jewelry at major retailers use unsafe, cheap metals causing allergic skin reactions and are way overpriced. We are proud to offer this rare, high-quality, safe and affordable metal in our jewelry collection.
What is 14K Gold Filled?
14K Gold Filled jewelry is a long lasting, economical way to enjoy the luster of gold without the big price tag and is usually considered a lifetime piece of jewelry. It looks very much like 14K Gold jewelry but is a lot less expensive and is also durable in the sense that it will not flake, peel, or wear off with reasonable care. It should last as long as solid 14K Gold jewelry. Additionally, gold-filled jewelry has about 100 times more gold than gold-plated jewelry.
14K Gold Filled jewelry is made up of 14K Gold tubing, which is then filled with a base metal such as brass. The layer of gold bonds strongly to the brass so the gold surface so it will not wear off. The 14K Gold tubing makes up 5 percent (1/20) of the total metal weight.
- By Federal Law, 14K Gold Filled has far more gold than the few microns coating of gold in 14K Gold Plating – a hundred or more times the amount of gold, actually. Gold-filled items are 50 to 100,000 times thicker than regular gold plating, and 17 to 25,000 times thicker than heavy gold electroplate.
What is 14K Gold Plated?
14K Gold Plate is NOT the same thing as 14K Gold Fill. 14K Gold Plating contains very little gold compared with 14K Gold Fill. More importantly for the purposes of owning and wearing jewelry, 14K Gold Plate wears off very easily under certain circumstances, leaving behind a less-than-desirable look.
14K Gold Plate is made by exposing a metal (such as brass) to an electrical current while in a solution containing gold. A very thin layer of gold then adheres to the metal.
- Unless otherwise noted, 14K Gold Plated items consist of sterling silver with 14K Gold Plating. “Fashion jewelry” does NOT contain precious metal, except for the plating. Gold plated “fashion jewelry” consists of base metal plated with gold.
How To Take Care Of 14K Gold Filled Jewelry
Under normal wear with reasonable care that you would give any precious metal jewelry, 14K Gold Filled jewelry will not peel, flake, or wear off and can be treasured as heirloom pieces. It is tarnish-resistant like solid 14K Gold and is safe for most people with sensitive skin who can wear solid 14K Gold jewelry. Caring for 14K Gold Filled jewelry is as easy as caring for other precious metal jewelry, too.