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 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.
What Is 14k Gold Worth
Lets talk about value, an important factor when investing into fine jewelry. Is 14K gold valuable? In order to assess worth, we have to revisit the quantity of pure gold in 14K gold. As previously stated, 14K gold contains approximately 58% pure gold. To measure the value of 58% pure gold, youll have to research the present market price for gold. This doesnt mean youll be able to sell 14K gold at that price, rather it is what the actual gold is worth.
Think of it this way:
The higher the karatage, the higher pure gold used, the higher the value.
What Is 14k Gold
Gold-filled is a USA industry standard that legally requires 1/20th, or 5% pure gold by weight. Its a strictly regulated process that involves pressure bonding multiple layers of solid 14k gold with extreme heat over a core of high quality jewelers brass resulting in a durable, quality real gold product.
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Is There A Difference Between Gold Plated And Gold Filled Jewelry
The short answer is yes, but we don’t expect you to take our word for it so we thought we’d draft up a blog post that explains what the differences are exactly. At AHA we exclusively use 14K gold filled for all of our yellow and/or rose gold earring hooks, chains and clasps. After reading this blog post we’re pretty sure you’ll understand why. Plus its great to be educated so you know what to shop for.
Whenever we do jewelry shows or markets we are able to explain in person the types of metals we use in our earring designs. Online, however, its a lot harder to highlight the importance of buying gold filled over gold plated in our short product descriptions.
So here’s the deal. Have you ever purchased a “gold” piece of jewelry just to have it turn color, chip or peel on you? You might have even purchased this item at a retail establishment that you wouldn’t expect that from. Personally in the past I’ve picked up jewelry from places like Anthropologie, Jcrew, even Nordstron that this happened to. Most likely this jewelry was gold plated. Frankly most gold tone jewelry sold is plated, because its cheaper to manufacture.
There is a big difference between “gold filled” and gold plated”. Its really good to know the difference so that you know what to shop for and what you are getting for your buck. Bottom line your going to pay a little bit more for gold filled jewelry, but it will stand the test of time, and in our opinion its well worth it. Heres why:
What Is Gold Tone
A piece of jewelry or an accessory that is described as gold tone has no real gold in it. It is the color of gold, but that is the extent of its similarity to real gold. Anything that looks like gold, for ex. a crayon, or a paperclip, or a shiny piece of gold-colored metal can be described as gold tone.
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What Is 14k Gold Fill
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. We get a lot of questions about gold-filled and what it actually is. So we’ve compiled a list of Q& A below on some topics that we hope you find helpful!
Guide To Stamps And Inscriptions On Gold Jewelry
Most authentic gold jewelry is stamped or etched with some sort of indicator. These jewelry inscriptions can be very hard for the lay person to decipher. In fact, many professionals are not sure what some of them mean because these marks are not as standardized as they should be. However, there are some common ones which make up the vast majority of the gold stamps.
Authentic gold jewelry should have a stamp to indicate the purity of the gold in the piece. This mark can be in several different formats. For example: 585, 14kt and 14K all mean 14 karat gold. All of these formats are easy to understand, except possibly the 3 digit number format.
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Gold Filled Or Solid Gold: Look At The Gold Markings
Solid gold pieces are usually stamped with their karat number only. For example, an 18-karat item should have a stamp such as 18K, 18kt, or 18KP.
In Europe, you may see karats expressed as a decimal, percentage, or parts per thousand: Thus, an 18K piece may be stamped with a marking such as 0.75 or 750 since 18 karats imply 75% gold content .
Gold-filled jewelry should also have markings indicating its karat number. However, such pieces usually have additional letters and numbers stamped that indicate that they are not solid gold.
The most common identifier of gold-filled items is the sign GF after the karat number.
See:
As an example, 1/10 22K GF is a marking which tells you that the item is gold filled and its gold layer is made of 22-karat gold the fraction 1/10 before the karat number means that one tenth of the items weight is gold.
Sometimes, instead of the stamp GF you may see the letters RGP, standing for rolled gold plate. This type of jewelry is made in the same way as gold-filled pieces, but its gold layer is much thinner.
Note: Although a simple karat number stamp such as 14K, without any additional letters, should mean that the piece is solid gold, there may be some vendors that could sell gold-filled jewelry that is not identified as such by the letters GF.
Related:Check out this selection of gold-plated jewelry.
What Is Rose Gold Filled
When it comes to gold-filled, rose gold follows the same specifications as yellow gold. Youre getting that thick layer of 14-karat gold over a jewelers brass core. The only difference is the color of the goldone is 14k rose, the other 14k yellow. Both 14k yellow gold and 14k rose gold alloys contain the same amount of 14-karat solid gold. Its the combination of metals that are added to the pure, 24k gold that changes the colorthe pure gold part is that constant 58% of the alloy.
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What Is Gold Filled Jewelry
Gold filled jewelry consists of a base material coated in a layer of gold. In many ways, it’s quite similar to gold plated jewelry. However, gold filled jewelry has a much thicker gold coat than gold plated jewelry. Most gold filled jewelry contains nickel, copper, as the base metal. But more expensive gold filled jewelry can feature sterling silver as its base metel. If it has a sterling silver base then it’s hypoallergenic and unlikely to aggravate skin conditions. Another hypoallergenic gold alternative is gold vermeil.
Because of its higher gold content, gold filled jewelry is one of the most expensive alternatives to real gold jewelry. However, it’s also one of the most durable. High-karat gold filled jewelry can last up to 30 years, meaning it may be the best economical choice in the long run.
What Is 24k Gold
24K gold is 100% gold and is too soft for jewelry. It must be alloyed, or combined, with other metals to strengthen it. 24K is used in costume jewelry by electroplating a very thin layer of 24K gold over another metal like brass or silver, so the piece looks like gold, but is mostly made of other materials. Jewelry designers like Michal Golan use this process to create popular and beautiful pieces of jewelry.
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Whats The Difference Between 14kt Gold
Do you love the look of yellow gold jewelry? Who can blame you? This classic metal has been with us for centuries as a symbol of art, beauty and wealth. But the price of 14K gold is very expensive and most of our budgets simply cant afford to purchase such a valuable piece of jewelry. Don’t fret! Gold-filled jewelry is equally as beautiful and a fraction of the cost.
Using Aqua Regia For Gold Karatage Testing
For additional, higher gold karatage testing, professionals use a chemical called aqua regia. You can purchase this chemical separately. Follow all the safety procedures recommended for this material. Use aqua regia only on the 18K touchstone.
On the stone with the aqua regia, scratch or streak marks made by 10K gold will disappear. Those made by a 14K mark will turn dark. Those made by an 18K mark will remain unaffected.
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Faq About Gold Filled Vs Gold Plated
Does Gold Plated or Gold Plated Jewelry Tarnish?
Yes, gold plated jewelry will definitely tarnish over time. Its composition will eventually lead it to discolor and lose its luster. But there are helpful tips on how to keep them longer. Cleaning them and using them with care are only a few.
How Long Does Gold Plated Jewelry Last?
Your gold plated jewelry can last for up to 2 years. Possibly longer if regularly maintained. Handling with care will increase the wearable life of your jewelry piece.
What Is 14 Karat Gold Jewelry
14KT gold jewelry is beautiful and expensive but in its purest form , it is really soft too! That is why jewelers need to add other metals to pure gold so that they can shape it and make it strong.
How much gold is in 14KT gold? 24KT gold is 100% pure gold, 24 out of 24 parts are gold. If your pendant is 14kt gold, 14 parts of 24 are gold. A 14KT gold piece of jewelry is 58.3% pure gold.
Gold is often mixed with the other metals . The most common metals combined with gold are copper, silver, nickel, zinc, tin, palladium, and/or manganese. These metals create golds sheen, its different hues of gold, and increases its durability.
14KT gold will last forever, it doesnt tarnish or fade with time.
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The Landis Procedure For Determining Gold Karatage
So then, how do you know if that old ring with no markings is gold? And, if its gold, how do you know if its at least 10K, the minimum for calling the item gold? How can you tell if its 14K, 18K, or 24K? And is there any way to determine if that expensive-looking gold piece is gold filled, gold plated, or epoxied?
Yes.
Theres a refined laboratory technique using a series of chemicals. Theres also a much simpler, less expensive way that was developed and announced by Harry Landis, Inc., a New York refiner.
Lets consider the Landis procedure and the equipment youll need.
What Does Set In 10k Gold Mean
10-Karat Gold
10k gold is the lowest solid gold alloy used for jewelry. Its composed of 41.7% gold and 58.3% alloy. Appearance: 10k gold is pale yellow in color. Its the least yellow of all the karat types since it contains the least amount of gold. Advantages: The primary advantage of 10k gold is its durability.
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Rose Gold Vs Yellow Gold
Rose gold and yellow gold rings
Rose gold, red gold, and pink gold are made from a gold and copper alloy. Since copper has a bold pinkish-orange color, adding this alloy to gold gives the gold a beautiful pinkish gold color. 18K rose gold, 18K red gold, and 18K pink gold contain 75% gold. 14K rose gold, 14K red gold, and 14K pink gold contain 58% gold. The remaining percentage is made up of copper or copper and silver. The varying percentage of copper used determines the color of the gold. The more copper that is used, the stronger the rose color. Pink gold uses the least amount of copper, followed by rose gold, and red gold has the highest copper content.
There is no such thing as pure rose gold, since rose gold is an alloy of gold and copper. Below are examples of the common alloys for 18K rose gold, 18K red gold, and 18K pink gold.
| 18K Red Gold |
|---|
| 5% silver |
Difference Between Solid Gold Gold Filled And Gold Plated
They say diamonds are a girls best friend but for ages gold has been the ultimate symbol of elegance and beauty for both men and women alike. It is therefore important to be aware when purchasing gold jewelry the various terminology that is commonly used. The most popular terms used are solid gold, gold filled, and gold plated when describing pieces of gold jewelry. Solid gold is the most expensive and the highest in quality and purity. Then is ranked gold filled as it allows for a cheaper but still valuable alternative to solid gold. Gold plated, however significantly cheaper than solid gold, allows for quality gold appearing jewelry to me more affordable and accessible to the greater public.
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Selling Gold Jewelry Getting A Fair Price For Gold
The price that you can get for your gold varies from one gold buyer to another. The weight of the gold and the number of karats in the gold determines its value. You can buy a jewelry scale to check the weight of the gold that you are selling. The price of gold varies from day to day. You can check the current price of gold at CNN Money. You can expect to be offered 60% to 80% of the value of the gold.
Keep in mind that jewelers sell jewelry at the retail price and not at a wholesale price that they buy the jewelry for to make a profit. Craftsmanship of a piece increases the price of a piece of jewelry, but when selling it, craftsmanship has no value at all, since the gold is melted down, so a beautiful handmade ring that you bought for $500 might only sell for $60.
What Is 12k Gold
12K gold is 50.0% gold. Although 12K is used in jewelry, it is not as popular or valued as greatly as 14K gold. It is still considered gold and is very durable due to the high content of other metals such as silver, copper, and zinc in the piece. The gold will not chip off or wear off because the 12K gold is a solid piece of jewelry and is not gold plated, which is a thin layer of gold over other metals.
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I Need The Gold Item Xyz
OK, this one isn’t a question but it raises an important issue. Some jewelry designers will refer to gold-filled items as just “gold.” It is not gold. It is illegal to call gold-filled items gold or to abbreviate the description to just 12kt or 14kt. This implies they are a solid alloy with higher pure gold content. Gold-filled is a unique material that must be clearly distinguished from solid gold by professionals in the industry. “Gold” is not an acceptable shorthand and it can get you in legal trouble for fraud. Don’t get into this bad habit.
Why Is There A Color Variance Between Gold
The gold-filled color will vary due to the different finishing processes used by manufacturers. Most items are near the industry standard “Hamilton” color however, some items will be more yellow, tawny, or darker in hue. Variance has increased because more manufacturers are now working with the material and consumer preferences are changing. Hamilton color was standard for many years but different markets now demand more yellow or brassy looking gold finishes. Some manufacturers will add a plating layer on top of the fused, layered gold-filled material to achieve a high-polish finish of a different color. In recent years, gold-filled has become very popular in Asian countries. Consumers there prefer a more yellow gold that mimics high karat alloys. As manufacturers shift production to serve a more global market, we see a wider color range in product offerings.
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Gold Filled Jewelry Versus Real Gold
Gold filled jewelry is a lot more than an affordable alternative to real gold jewelry. It boasts many of its own unique features and attributes. It’s much easier to care for than real gold. It’s also more widely available.
The downsides are that it’s not as valuable and it’s not as durable as real gold. Although the near 30-year lifespan of gold filled jewelry is impressive, it pales in comparison to that of pure gold. Pure gold jewelry can last indefinitely when properly cared for. This is why archaeologists continue to unearth intact gold artifacts from ancient societies.
The Difference Between Gold
Gold-filled and gold-plated accessories are the same in concept: both non-gold base metals like copper, nickel, or jewelers brass with a gold coat, which fools people into thinking they are more expensive than their price on the tag. However, they are products of two different manufacturing processes.
To make a gold-filled accessory, you need two gold sheets, a base metal core, and a generous amount of heat. Youll need to thin out the gold into a leaf-like thickness and then bond it to the jewelers brass with a blowtorch or a metal bender. Most metalsmiths accomplish this by heating the gold alloy and putting it through a metal roller a handful of times, which will both reduce its thickness and bond it together with the jewelers brass.
Gold-filled accessories tarnish much more slowly than gold-plated ones. Youll find them more durable and capable of standing up to harsher operating environments. If you wear them to the gym, they will resist your sweat more competently, or you can take them out to the beach or the pool and notice no discoloration for at least a few summers.
Gold-filled accessories also command a higher price tag because they feature a higher percentage of gold. Whereas gold-plated necklaces and earrings are only 0.05 percent gold or lower, gold-filled jewelry is around 5 percent. Thats over a hundred times more gold content, but the price tag only doubles or triples. Therefore, as a first-time gold buyer, you can breathe easy.
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