Gold-Filled vs. Gold-Plated Jewelry Explained

Comparing Gold-Filled with Gold-Plated Metals In contrast to gold plating, gold-filled jewelry is tarnish resistant and can last many years if properly maintained. The manufacturing process for gold-filled metal is more complex than electroplating. Unlike gold-plated materials, gold-filled jewelry retains the value of its gold content over time. To be marked with a "GF" stamp, the metal must have a layer of gold that is at least 10-karat and 1/20 (5%) of the item's total weight. All of Sea Star Trading’s gold-filled products have a 14- or 12-karat gold layer and meet the federal quality standards established by the Federal Trade Commission. How Gold-Filled Metal Is Made Gold-filled is made by adding a layer of 14- or 12-karat gold to a brass core, creating a tarnish-resistant surface where only gold is exposed. The metals are permanently bound together using heat and pressure, then are rolled, and drawn to exact specifications. The industry shorthand notation is "14/20" or "12/20." The first number refers to the karat of the gold and the second is the ratio of karat gold to brass core by weight, which is 5%. This metal cannot be cast. To ensure the quality of our gold-filled materials, Sea Star Trading sources its range of 14- and 12-karat gold-filled fabrication metals from leading industry manufacturers.