As a precious metal, Sterling Silver will last forever. Gold Filled — just like 14k Solid Gold — will not tarnish or chip, and is meant to last decades. (Frankly, we couldn't offer our lifetime guarantee if too many of our pieces were Gold Plated.) Attainable.
Here is your answer: Silver-FILLED or gold-FILLED jewelry offers a great alternative to pure sterling silver or carated gold because it keeps everyone's cost down while providing a quality material that will last for decades.
Gold filled items are perfect if you're looking for a material that is higher quality than gold plated, but an affordable alternative to solid gold. Unlike gold plated, gold filled can last a lifetime if taken care of properly, and isn't affected by water or hot weather. It is also tarnish-free under normal conditions.
Gold over silver is more valuable than gold filled or plated jewelry. Gold filled is a process by which a layer of at least 10kt gold has been mechanically or pressure bonded to a base metal. The percentage of gold in gold filled jewelry must be 1/20th by weight of the total product.
As long as gold filled pieces are well cared for, they can last a lifetime. Gold plated pieces, on the other hand, can last up to a year if kept away from water, wear, and heat.
Gold Filled: You are fine to shower in gold-filled jewelry, get it wet, wear it for life! We do recommend you remove it in salt water or chlorine.
Can you wear gold-filled jewelry everyday? The answer = a resounding yes. Made by mechanically bonding a thick layer of 14k gold to a base metal, 14k gold-filled jewelry looks and wears just like solid gold without the price tag.
You can guess why. It has less gold overall, so the materials cost is less. What does that mean for you? Well, you may be able to buy more gold-plated jewelry than gold-filled pieces because it's cheaper, but be prepared to replace those items frequently.
Base metal - Both gold filled and gold plated jewelry uses a base metal that is not sterling silver. This is usually a cheaper metal such as copper, brass, or similar. This can help to create more widely affordable pieces, because the materials are of less value.
Gold fill is your best alternative to solid gold because of its durability, quality - and let's face it; it makes beautiful jewelry. Gold fill will not turn your skin green and does not rust. With minimal care, gold fill metal will not tarnish.
The reason is because unlike plated, gold filled pieces have to be sandwiched between two layers of gold. The process is much harder and more expensive than plating jewelry. The down side of this is that it is less flexible in terms of what can be made. Custom shapes or designs for gold filled are harder to make.
Gold-filled items are produced by solidly bonding a layer of 18K gold to a base metal core, making them much more durable and longer lasting than just plated items. This type of jewelry is perfect for everyday wear without having the worry of sensitive skin reactions to cheaper metals.
Can gold-filled tarnish? Yes, it can, but it takes a rare set of circumstances. Gold-filled jewelry supplies are a lifetime product because the gold layer bonded to the brass core is quite thick. However, in rare instances of extreme sulfide exposure, it can blacken.
Gold filled is an alloy, so are sterling silver and 9k, 14k, 18k solid gold. As such it can tarnish only when the combination of the above factors are present. However, compared to lower quality alloys, these fine materials (gold filled, solid gold) can resist tarnish at a higher rate.
Sterling silver normally lasts 20 to 30 years if the owner cares well for it. However, your sterling silver can last forever if you care for it properly. Made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, sterling silver requires some special care. If you own any sterling silver jewelry, you should know how to care for it well.
For jewelry, gold matches the value of high value stones. It's also more durable than silver and can maintain the setting's shape and shine for a much longer time. So for those treasured gemstones and heritage diamonds, gold is a better investment that will outlast silver.
We Recommend Gold-Filled Jewelry
It is more durable, does not tarnish, and has a higher gold content than gold-plated jewelry.
The thickness of the gold layer in gold-filled jewelry makes it more resistant to fading, tarnishing, and wear. It can endure the rigors of everyday activities, such as regular handwashing or exposure to mild chemicals, without losing its luster.
Jewelers create gold filled jewelry by pressure bonding an actual layer of gold to another metal. Although a gold filled piece of jewelry is not sold gold, it has the same desirable properties and look of solid gold. It won't tarnish and will not rub off or turn colors.
The simple answer is that 24-karat gold is the only type of gold that doesn't tarnish. This is the most traditional form of gold, and it is what primarily comes to people's minds when they think of "gold." 24-karat gold is also the priciest type because it does not contain any other mixed metals.
Gold Filled pieces are also a more affordable alternative to Solid Gold, however over time they will also degrade, lose their colour and are difficult to restore. With more affordable alternatives in lower carat gold (e.g. 9k gold), Solid Gold pieces will: Always be valuable. Last longer and require less maintenance.
However, 14k gold-filled is not the same as 14k gold and does not contain 58.3% pure gold. 14kt gold-filled only contains a thick layer of pure gold bonded to the base layer (usually copper, brass, or silver) through intense heat & pressure. This intense manufacturing process is what makes the metal so durable.
Store gold-plated jewelry away from sunlight and heat.
While it might be fun to display those dazzling gold earrings, too much heat or sun exposure will tarnish the gold plating. Put your jewelry in a box and keep that box somewhere it won't come into contact with direct heat.
Avoid wearing your gold filled jewelry in the ocean or swimming pools, as the salt water and chlorine can cause damage. Keep your gold filled jewelry as dry as possible and away from pesky humidity!
Suggested Cleaning Methods
Mild soapy water and a toothbrush - a child's soft toothbrush and a mild detergent is the perfect combination for cleaning golf-filled jewelry. The detergent can remove residue or fingerprints from the item, and still leave it shiny and bright when it's done.