What is Gold Filled?
What is Gold Filled?
It’s believed that in the early 1800’s Thomas Bolsover a craftsman working in his Yorkshire workshop accidently fused a copper coin to a silver knife. Being a true craftsman Bolsover questioned and experimented with this accidental process of fusing metals and soon realised that he had discovered the process of mechanical bonding. Later in 1817, John Turner an English craftsman discovered that Bolsover’s mechanical bonding process could permanently fuse gold to copper, and soon the method of mechanical bonding became known as the “Old Sheffield” process. Today the basic principle discovered by Thomas Bolsover remains the same and is a big part of the modern manufacturing of gold filled metal sheet and wire.
Today gold filled jewellery remains an affordable alternative to solid gold. It has the depth of colour of pure gold with the recognisable warm tones giving the appearance of the luxury of pure gold but without the price tag.
But what is it really?
Gold filled is a thick layer of 12ct or 14ct gold mechanically bonded to a base metal core, typically brass. By legal standard, a gold filled item must contain at least 5% (or 1/20) gold by total weight. The key words here are ‘mechanically bonded’ when compared to gold plated where a thin layer of gold is electroplated onto a base metal. As the gold layer of gold filled is pressure bonded using heat, it is more durable than gold plated which is dipped, and therefore the gold layer is thin by comparison. With care your gold filled jewellery will last anywhere from 10 to 30 years dependant on the type of jewellery, for example, rings worn every day may last 5-10 years while a necklace may last 10-30 years.
How do you care for your gold filled jewellery?
Caring for your gold filled jewellery is simple. Always avoid exposure to harsh chemicals, for example household cleaning agents, chlorine from swimming pools and cosmetics such as perfumes and hair products which can cause any gold, silver or gold filled to tarnish. And of course it is best to remove your jewellery before swimming etc.
When storing your jewellery keep it away from direct sunlight and excessive heat or damp conditions.
Cleaning is straight forward, you can wash your gold filled jewellery in warm water and using a gentle detergent and a very soft brush, after washing rinse it with cold water and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
Should gold filled be hallmarked?
Under the 1973 Hallmarking Act, any item described as gold must have a legal hallmark, but this only applies to pure gold, not gold-filled items .Find out more about hallmarking
But is gold filled for you?
So, you can see the benefits of gold filled over pure gold, essentially the appearance of pure gold but at a more affordable price. But what are the disadvantages?
With care gold filled will stand up to everyday wear, however, it may be tough, but it is not indestructible. Remember that gold filled will not tolerate exposure to chemicals or sea water to the extent that gold will.
Gold filled should be removed before swimming or physical activity; not difficult I know but something you still need to be mindful of. Remember what we said before, it is tough but not indestructible. After many years of daily wear especially if not cared for correctly, the gold layer can eventually start to show signs of wear.
Overall, if you want jewellery that you don’t have to think about and that will one day become an heirloom then solid gold is the metal for you; but if you want everyday jewellery that looks great and will last for years but not forever then gold filled is the answer.
You can find gold filled jewellery at Ted & Tallulah