You see it everywhere: jewelry brands selling 14k gold-filled jewelry left and right. But what is 14k gold-filled? What does 14k gold-filled mean? Is it actually good (or is it just a buzzword)?! We compiled a quick Q&A with all the info you need about 14k gold-filled jewelry—what it is, why we use it, why it’s durable, why it’s great for anyone with skin allergies and why it totally lives up to the hype (even at its affordable price).
✨What is 14K gold-filled?
Let’s start with the basics: what does 14k gold-filled mean? “Gold-filled” is a USA industry standard that legally requires a jewelry piece to be 1/20th (or 5%) pure gold by weight! To create gold-filled jewelry, you pressure-bond multiple layers of 14k solid gold to a jeweler’s brass core using extreme heat. It’s a strictly regulated process that creates a durable, high-quality piece made with real gold…without the solid gold price tag.
Is "gold-filled" the same as "gold fill"?
You probably see these terms used interchangeably—that’s because “gold fill” and “gold-filled” mean the same thing! If there’s no indication of how many karats the gold is (i.e., 14k gold-filled or 10k gold-filled), you can probably assume "gold-filled" or “gold fill” in the United States refers to 14k gold-filled. It’s the most common karat of gold used in gold-filled pieces—as much as 95% of pieces use 14k gold! You might also see a jewelry piece marked with 14k gf or 14kgf, meaning the piece is gold-filled!
Is gold-fill actually "filled with gold"?
On the contrary: the gold in gold fill jewelry is actually on the outside of the piece. I’m not sure why the industry decided on “gold-filled” to identify this kind of jewelry—it’s confusing, since it really has nothing to do with being filled with gold! The only thing you need to know is that the terms “gold fill” and “gold-filled” refer to a thick outer layer of durable, pressure-bonded solid gold. So, if you’re wondering if gold filled is real gold…it is! Just on the outside of the piece, not the inside.
Is gold-filled jewelry real gold?
And if not, what does gold filled mean? To start, the gold used in 14k gold-filled jewelry is 100% real. There’s a thick layer of real, solid 14k gold on the outside of a brass core, though, instead of the inside, making the term “gold filled” or “gold fill” sound a little misleading. The 14k gold on the outside of gold-filled is the same gold you’d get from a 14k solid gold piece. So, if you’re wondering the difference between gold-filled vs. solid gold jewelry, the main thing to note is this: gold-filled jewelry has a layer of solid gold bonded to a brass core, while solid gold is solid gold all the way through.
How much real gold is in gold fill?
And what does gold-filled mean? By legal definition, gold-filled jewelry is required to include a minimum of 1/20th (5%) solid gold by weight. The 5% gold in gold-filled jewelry may not sound like a lot, but it's plenty to keep your jewelry looking great for many years (and if treated with care, a lifetime!).
What are the advantages of 14K gold-filled jewelry?
Gold filled jewelry offers the advantages of solid gold at a more affordable price. With its thick layer of gold bonded to the base metal core, it is durable, resistant to tarnish, and maintains its shine over time making it a great choice for everyday wear! Here are the pros of gold filled jewelry:
- The gold won't rub off
- It's waterproof and tarnish resistant
- It's safe for sensitive skin
- It's durable
- It's cheaper than solid gold
- It's easy to care for
- It resembles solid gold
Is "rose gold-filled" different?
If you see "rose gold-filled," you can assume we mean "14k rose gold-filled", rather than yellow gold. The piece is still 14k gold filled, meaning it’s made of high-quality solid gold over a brass core! This difference refers to the actual color of the gold, not the quality or durability. Both 14k yellow gold and 14k rose gold alloys contain the same amount of 14-karat solid gold. It’s the combination of metals added to the pure 24k gold that changes the color—the amount of pure gold is constant.
How are gold-filled items marked?
Sometimes you’ll find a “14/20 GF” or “14k GF” mark on gold-filled pieces. Often, handmade gold-filled pieces (like ours!) from smaller companies won't be marked, though. For example, we don’t mark our rings and many other pieces, but we do have a mark on our chains (at the clasp). To determine what pieces are gold-filled, look at the item’s description or tag—that’s typically your best bet.
Can you be allergic to gold-filled jewelry?
If you’re allergic to solid gold jewelry, you’d most likely be allergic to gold-filled jewelry too—since it’s covered with a thick layer of solid gold. If you’re not allergic to solid gold, however, wearing gold-filled jewelry is completely safe (since the base metal inside the piece, typically brass, is coated in gold)!
Why do colors vary between gold-filled jewelry pieces?
Gold-filled jewelry has taken off in the past few years—meaning tons of jewelers using tons of different processes are creating gold-filled pieces, and there’s bound to be some subtle variance. Some jewelers will opt for gold-filled jewelry that’s more yellow, brassy, tawny or dark than the industry standard, depending on their customer’s preferences. Many jewelers will add an extra gold plating to their gold-filled pieces for a high-polish finish.
Filled vs. Plated
What's the difference between gold-filled and gold plated?
There’s a lot less gold in gold-plated jewelry compared to gold-filled jewelry, meaning gold-filled jewelry is higher quality. The gold in gold-filled pieces is also pressure-bonded to the brass core to be way more durable! The standards for 14k gold-fill are also strictly regulated, while the standards for "gold plated" encompass a broad range of thicknesses, so you can't be sure how much gold is in the plated layer.
Is gold-filled better than plated?
Yes—and that’s just a fact!
Main Difference #1: Gold-Filled has More Real Gold
The main difference in gold-plated vs. gold-filled jewelry? The amount of gold. The outer layer of gold in gold-filled jewelry is much thicker than on gold plated pieces—like, we’re talking easily 100 times thicker compared to the common quick flash plating. Plus, the process of creating gold-filled jewelry makes it much more durable and long-lasting than gold-plated jewelry.
How Gold-Plated Jewelry is Made
What is gold-plated? What does it mean? At its core, to gold plate something means dipping it in a solution that contains gold (or a gold-colored alloy), then zapping it with an electric current. An electrochemical reaction occurs that deposits a thin layer of gold onto the base metal.
How Gold-Filled Jewelry is Made
What does gold-filled mean? With gold-filled jewelry, the process involves mechanically bonding the gold to the core through extreme pressure and heat. It results in a more resilient exterior that’s not prone to flaking or cracking.
Main Difference #2: Trust The Gold
Industry standards mean you can trust the quality of the gold-filled jewelry you’re getting. A 5% minimum of gold (by weight) is required for a piece to be called “gold-filled.” Gold-plated jewelry, on the other hand, has extremely vague legal requirements—it can be as thin as half a micron or thicker, and you have no real way of knowing what thickness you’re getting. In fact, sometimes jewelers will call their pieces “gold-plated” when they actually just have a gold-colored coating and no real gold at all!
Also, the core of 14k gold-filled jewelry is quality brass—a lovely, long-lasting metal. Gold-plated products, on the other hand, could have brass or steel at the core, but they could also have a variety of other lower-quality base metals (and this info usually isn’t disclosed). So, when it comes to gold-filled vs. gold-plated jewelry, gold-filled jewelry is typically made with higher-quality core metals that won’t tarnish or turn your skin green.
Is gold filled and gold vermeil the same?
No, they’re not! Gold vermeil is very similar to gold-plated jewelry, in that it contains much less gold than gold-filled jewelry. Gold vermeil is used to describe a more premium version of gold plating in which more gold is used, but it still isn’t pressure-bonded to the brass core like in gold-filled jewelry. This pressure-bonding makes a huge difference in the jewelry’s ability to resist wear and tear, which is why we’ll always recommend gold-filled jewelry over gold vermeil jewelry for everyday pieces.
Quality of 14k Gold-Fill
Is 14k gold-filled good quality?
14k gold-filled is absolutely your best option after solid gold in terms of quality and durability. 14k gf won’t flake off or turn your skin green, and it’s a great option for people with sensitive skin. We only use the best USA made gold-filled components and stand behind our product’s quality. Gold-filled jewelry can stay beautiful for a lifetime, especially with a little care.
Is gold-filled jewelry durable? How long does it last?
After solid options, gold-filled jewelry is certainly your best quality for gold pieces. In theory, gold fill items can last a lifetime! Get this: some gold-fill jewelry still exists from the Victorian era (over 100 years old!). In practice, actual longevity will depend on how you care for it and a variety of other factors.
Does gold-filled tarnish?
14k gf jewelry should not tarnish for a long time—decades if treated properly. It's possible for gold fill to tarnish under certain conditions or when interacting with certain chemicals (like chlorine, for example), but it should not tarnish easily. To learn how to prevent tarnish, check out this handy post here.
Does it contain nickel?
No, none of our jewelry contains nickel!
Is gold-filled jewelry okay for people with sensitive skin?
Yes! 99.9% of people find they have no sensitivity to gold-filled jewelry. Because the outside of the piece is solid 14k gold, it interacts with your skin in the same way solid 14k gold would. If you don’t have any sensitivities to solid gold, gold-filled jewelry is A-OK.
Will it turn my skin green?
Nope! There have been very rare instances where certain people's body chemistry reacts with 14k gold (and creates a green residue on their skin) but this happens in approximately 0.001% of people—so it shouldn’t be a concern. Body chemistry is a fascinating thing, and it’s often medication to thank for rare instances like this!
Will it flake off?
Again, nope! With gold-filled jewelry, the outer layer of solid gold is mechanically bonded to the brass core through extreme pressure and heat. This creates a resilient exterior that’s not prone to flaking or cracking. Flaking is more common with certain types of gold plating and uncommon with gold filled!Does it Rust?
Nope. Rust isn't possible with the metals present in gold-filled material. Bless. 🙏
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