Unique Handcrafted Jewellery - Gold-Filled V Gold-Plated
Solid gold is often not an option as it is so expensive, but gold-filled or gold-plated findings and earwires, which are more economic, are widely used by artisan jewellers.
Gold-filled jewellery became popular in the early twentieth century, and its popularity increased again during the 1930s and 1940s as gold became scarce during the War.
Gold-fill is sometimes referred to as 'rolled gold' or 'gold-overlay.
' Gold-filled jewellery findings and earwires will stand up to a lot of wear and tear, whilst looking as good as solid gold.
The gold content is labelled as 10/20, 12/20, or 14/20 depending on the karat used, which in effect means that the outer 5% of the wire may be 10, 12, or 14 karat gold, which has been bonded to a base metal, such as brass, by heat and pressure.
This results in high quality jewellery pieces that are economical to buy compared with solid gold, and much more durable than gold-plate.
Gold-filled jewellery pieces require no special care apart from carefully washing them in warm water occasionally, and wiping them clean with a soft cloth.
Avoiding chlorine, salt water, and detergent liquids and soaps will also help to maintain the jewellery.
There are many different types of plated metal, and jewellery made with gold-plated findings and earwires is a popular and economic choice.
A thin layer of gold is added to the base metal, usually copper or silver, by an electrochemical process.
If nickel is also added to the base metal it produces a stronger item that is slower to tarnish.
However, many people are allergic to nickel and so care should be taken when buying a piece of gold-plated jewellery for a friend or family member.
As the layer of gold plate is thin, the finished piece will be less durable than the gold-filled option, and the jewellery will not stand up to as much wear and tear.
It is suitable for making earrings and necklaces, but maybe not so good for bracelets and rings.
There are also different shades of gold plate, some of which are very 'yellow' and shiny.
I use a lot of 'champagne' gold plate in my jewellery as this is a lovely soft shade of gold, halfway between gold and silver in colour.
It looks very subtle and allows the beads to become the focus of attention, whilst also being an economical option.
Gold-filled jewellery became popular in the early twentieth century, and its popularity increased again during the 1930s and 1940s as gold became scarce during the War.
Gold-fill is sometimes referred to as 'rolled gold' or 'gold-overlay.
' Gold-filled jewellery findings and earwires will stand up to a lot of wear and tear, whilst looking as good as solid gold.
The gold content is labelled as 10/20, 12/20, or 14/20 depending on the karat used, which in effect means that the outer 5% of the wire may be 10, 12, or 14 karat gold, which has been bonded to a base metal, such as brass, by heat and pressure.
This results in high quality jewellery pieces that are economical to buy compared with solid gold, and much more durable than gold-plate.
Gold-filled jewellery pieces require no special care apart from carefully washing them in warm water occasionally, and wiping them clean with a soft cloth.
Avoiding chlorine, salt water, and detergent liquids and soaps will also help to maintain the jewellery.
There are many different types of plated metal, and jewellery made with gold-plated findings and earwires is a popular and economic choice.
A thin layer of gold is added to the base metal, usually copper or silver, by an electrochemical process.
If nickel is also added to the base metal it produces a stronger item that is slower to tarnish.
However, many people are allergic to nickel and so care should be taken when buying a piece of gold-plated jewellery for a friend or family member.
As the layer of gold plate is thin, the finished piece will be less durable than the gold-filled option, and the jewellery will not stand up to as much wear and tear.
It is suitable for making earrings and necklaces, but maybe not so good for bracelets and rings.
There are also different shades of gold plate, some of which are very 'yellow' and shiny.
I use a lot of 'champagne' gold plate in my jewellery as this is a lovely soft shade of gold, halfway between gold and silver in colour.
It looks very subtle and allows the beads to become the focus of attention, whilst also being an economical option.
