When it comes to jewelry, there are a lot of different metals that can be used. Two of the most popular choices are gold filled and gold plated. In this blog post, I'm going to talk about why I choose to use 14k gold filled in my jewelry instead of gold plated.
What is Gold Filled?
Gold filled is a composite material made by heat and pressure bonding a layer of 14 karat gold to a base metal. The result is a thick layer of solid 14 karat gold bonded to the base metal. It contains 100 times more real gold than gold plated jewelry and will last decades without tarnishing.
What is Gold Plated?
Gold plated jewelry is made by depositing a thin layer of gold onto a base metal. The thickness of the gold layer is Measure in microns (1 micron = 1/1000mm). Most inexpensive costume jewelry found in stores is gold plated with a thickness ranging from 0.5 microns to 2.5 microns.
Why I Chose 14k Gold Filled
I initially worked with gold plated, but after spending hours making a piece, I found it disheartening when the piece would turn and begin discoloring my skin just weeks later. I researched and discovered 14k gold filled. I began working with it and was amazed how much longer it would last--the gold wouldn't turn at all, but I also realized it only came in chain and wire, which is due to the complexities of the production. That is really very creatively limiting, but I found myself to be a wizard with chain and wire, and just had to create a line of jewelry with this amazingly sustainable material. Did you know 14k gold filled is weight standardized, so you always know that it's at least 5% or more of gold? It's known to last decades or longer.
If you're looking for a piece of jewelry that will stand the test of time, then 14k gold filled is the way to go. It's more expensive than gold plated, but it's worth it because it won't tarnish and it will last for many years to come. Thanks for reading!