What is Gold Filled Jewellery

Gold filled jewellery consists of a thick layer of solid gold that is mechanically bonded to a base metal (usually brass or copper). Unlike gold plating, which has a very thin layer of gold, gold filled jewellery contains at least 5% solid gold by weight, making it much more durable and resistant to tarnishing.

It offers the look and feel of solid gold at a lower price while being more long lasting than gold plated pieces. With proper care, gold filled jewellery can last for many years without fading or peeling.

What Are the benefits of buying gold filled jewellery vs solid gold?

Gold filled jewellery is a great alternative to solid gold and gold-plated jewelry. Here are some key benefits:

1. More Affordable Than Solid Gold

Gold-filled jewelry has a thick layer of gold bonded to a base metal (usually brass), making it much more affordable than solid gold while still looking luxurious.

2. Long-Lasting & Durable

The gold layer of gold filled jewellery is quite thick, making it more resistant to tarnishing, chipping, and fading. With proper care, it can last years or even decades.

3. Hypoallergenic

Since gold-filled jewellery contains a substantial amount of gold, it is less likely to cause allergic reactions compared to cheap gold-plated or base metal jewelry.

4. Low Maintenance

Unlike pure gold, which can scratch easily, gold-filled jewellery is more resistant to wear and requires minimal upkeep to maintain its shine.

5. Doesn’t Tarnish Easily

Because of its thick gold layer, gold-filled jewelry doesn’t tarnish or discolor as quickly as gold-plated pieces.

6. Better Investment Than Gold-Plated Jewellery

While not as valuable as solid gold, gold-filled jewelry retains more value than gold-plated pieces because of the higher gold content and longevity. So I’d say it is a very good investment anyhow.

7. Looks Like Solid Gold but more affordable

To the naked eye, gold-filled jewellery looks just like solid gold, making it a great choice for those who want the appearance of high-end jewellery without the hefty price tag.

Does Gold filled Jewellery tarnish more than gold plated?

Gold-filled jewellery is much more resistant to tarnishing than gold-plated jewellery, but it can still tarnish under certain conditions. Since gold-filled pieces have a thick layer of solid gold (usually 5% by weight) bonded to a base metal, they are much more durable. However, exposure to moisture, sweat, chemicals (like perfumes, lotions, and cleaning agents), can cause tarnishing over time. Proper care, such as keeping it dry and clean, can help maintain its shine for many years.

Gold-filled jewellery is much more resistant to tarnishing than gold-plated jewellery because it has a much thicker layer of gold bonded to a base metal (usually brass). However, it can still tarnish over time, especially if exposed to harsh chemicals, sweat, or excessive moisture.

Factors that can cause tarnishing include:

• Exposure to sulfur or chlorine (e.g., in pools or hot tubs)
• Skin oils and sweat (especially with high acidity)
• Harsh cleaning products or perfumes

With proper care keeping it dry, avoiding chemicals, and cleaning it gently, gold-filled jewellery can last for many years without significant tarnishing.

How long can gold filled jewellery last and what to do about it?

Gold-filled jewellery can last 10 to 30 years or even longer with proper care. Unlike gold-plated jewellery, which has a thin layer of gold that wears off quickly, gold-filled jewellery has a much thicker layer (at least 5% gold by weight), making it more durable and resistant to tarnishing.

To extend its lifespan:

• Keep it dry and avoid exposure to water, sweat, and chemicals (perfume, lotion, chlorine).
• Store it in a dry, soft pouch when not in use.
• Clean it gently with a soft cloth or mild soap and water.

If well-maintained, it can look like solid gold for decades for a very affordable price.

Caring for gold filled jewellery 

Caring for 14k gold-filled jewelry is relatively simple, but it does require some attention to keep it looking its best. Here are some tips to ensure its longevity:

1. Avoid moisture: Try to keep your jewellery dry. Water, sweat, and other liquids can cause the gold-filled layer to tarnish over time. Remove your jewelry before swimming, showering, or exercising.
2. Store properly: When not in use, store your gold-filled jewellery in a jewellery box or pouch to prevent scratches and damage. You can also wrap it in a soft cloth to keep it safe from tarnish-causing air exposure.
3. Clean regularly: To maintain its shine, clean your jewellery with a soft, lint-free cloth. If needed, you can use a mild dish soap solution (diluted in water) to clean it. Gently rub it with a soft brush, like a toothbrush, to remove any dirt or oils, and then rinse with warm water and pat dry.
4. Avoid chemicals: Keep gold-filled jewellery away from harsh chemicals like perfume, hairspray, and cleaning products, as these can cause the gold to tarnish.
5. Be mindful of storage: Store gold-filled pieces separately to avoid scratching or rubbing against other jewellery, especially harder metals like sterling silver or platinum.

By following these simple care guidelines, your 14k gold filled jewellery can maintain its beautiful appearance for a long time.

Caring for Gold Filled Jewellery With Birthstones 

Caring for gold-filled jewelry with birthstones requires a bit of attention to keep both the gold and the stones looking their best. Here are some tips:

1. Clean Regularly: Use a soft cloth to wipe your jewelry after each wear to remove oils, dirt, and dust. For a deeper clean, use warm water and mild soap with a soft brush. Avoid harsh chemicals, as they can damage the birthstones and gold layer.
2. Avoid Water: Gold filled jewellery is more durable than gold-plated, but it’s still best to avoid exposing it to water, especially in pools or hot tubs where chlorine can cause damage.
3. Store Properly: When you're not wearing your jewellery, store it in a soft pouch or jewellery box to avoid scratches. Keep it away from other jewellery pieces to prevent abrasion, especially gemstones that may be softer.
4. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Keep your jewellery away from perfumes, lotions, cleaning products, and hair products that can cause damage. Chemicals can also cause discoloration or dullness, especially on the gold layer.
5. Be Careful with Birthstones: Stones have varying hardness levels. Softer stones like pearls and turquoise can be scratched more easily. Always handle them gently to avoid damaging the stone.

By following these steps, you can ensure that both the gold and birthstones on your jewellery stay looking beautiful for years.

Caring for gold filled jewellery with pearls

Gold filled jewellery with pearls requires gentle care to maintain its beauty. Here are some tips for taking care of your gold-filled pieces with pearls:

1. Clean Regularly: Use a soft cloth to gently wipe the jewelry after wearing it to remove oils, dirt, and lotions. For more thorough cleaning, you can use a mild soap solution and a soft toothbrush, but be careful not to scrub the pearls.
2. Avoid Chemicals: Keep gold-filled jewellery away from harsh chemicals such as perfumes, hairsprays, and cleaning products, as they can damage both the gold and the pearls.
3. Store Properly: Store your jewellery in a soft pouch or a jewellery box to avoid scratches and damage. Avoid tossing it in a drawer where it can get tangled or scratched.
4. Avoid Moisture: Try not to wear gold-filled jewellery with pearls in water (e.g., swimming, bathing) as moisture can weaken the metal and affect the pearls.
5. Polish Carefully: If the gold begins to look dull, gently polish it with a jewellery cloth designed for gold. Avoid rubbing the pearls, as they are delicate.

My own personal experience with gold filled jewellery 

Love Gold filled jewellery, it is a solid choice for long-term wear since the thick layer of gold is much more durable than plating. It also looks and wears just like solid gold without the price tag. It makes sense that some pieces might lose a bit of their original sparkle over time, especially with daily wear.

To be honest, I’m not very good with keeping my jewellery pieces in a tight box and cleaning them from tarnishing on the regular basis and I don’t even taking them off to sleep particularly necklaces.  But I make sure to keep them away from perfumes, swimming pools, sunscreens, tanning products and hairsprays. I however hardly ever take my necklaces off in a shower as I want them to clean while I’m in there with my very mild coconut shower gel and shampoo.

Showering with them on can help keep them clean, but as a rule of thumb, it's important to be mindful of shampoos and soaps. Some ingredients, especially sulfates or harsh surfactants, can wear down the finish faster. So please read ingredients carefully. If you ever want to give your necklaces a little refresh, a gentle cleaning with warm water, mild soap, and a soft toothbrush or microfiber cloth which comes absolutely free with every purchase for all our customers can help bring back some shine. A polishing cloth made for gold can also work wonders!

Do you have any favourite gold filled pieces that you wear all the time?

We hope you found this information helpful! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. You might also find these related posts useful for more insights: Tips To Clean Silver Jewellery - A Complete How-To Guide