Gold Filled

When I use gold beads and findings, I use gold filled. It has the look of 14karat gold without all the expense. Gold filled is comparitive in price to sterling silver. It should last the wearers lifetime, so you can wear gold without going broke. Of course, I can always make any custom orders with 14karat gold. Here is an explanation of gold filled and the differences between it and regular plating.

"What is gold-filled made of?
Gold-filled items are made by combining a layer or layers of gold alloy to a base metal (usually brass), then rolling or drawing the metal to the desired thickness and shape. Gold-filled has a long life and can be worn by most people without reactions or difficulties. Gold-filled stock should be stored in a dry place. Gold-filled is also made by heating and pressure-bonding a thin layer of gold to a brass core. The 1/20 notation refers to the ratio of the 14 karat gold layer to the brass layer by weight, which is 5%. All gold-filled items we offer meet federal standards for quality and content.


How are gold-fill and gold-plate made?
There is a difference between gold-plate and gold-filled. Gold-fill is 50 to 100 times thicker than regular gold-plating, and about 17 to 25 times thicker than heavy gold electroplate. The base metal used is usually brass, copper, or steel. Gold-filled items are made by combining a layer or layers of gold alloy to a base metal (usually brass) then rolling or drawing the metal to the desired thickness and shape. Gold-plate is a very thin deposit of gold, electroplated or electrochemically applied to the piece. (The industry standard is .15 to .25 mils thickness of gold-plated to the surface of the base metal.) It is a very small fraction of an inch thick (1/1000 inch to 1/1,000,000 or so of an inch thick). Heavy gold electroplate might be .002 or .003 inches thick. Gilt is another term used, which means there is a very thin finish of gold color over the base metal (may or may not actually be gold)."