What is Gold-Fill Jewelry?

Gold-fill is a high-quality, more affordable alternative to solid gold. Gold-fill jewelry is made of a thick solid layer of gold that is bonded to a base of another metal such as brass, copper, or sterling silver. This thick layer of gold keeps gold-fill jewelry from losing its color and shine, allowing it to last for many years. 

Gold-fill jewelry is made by bonding a thick layer of gold to a base metal core, usually through a mechanical process such as heat and pressure. In the United States, the outer layer of gold must make up at least 5% of its weight to qualify as gold fill. This process creates jewelry that has the appearance and durability of solid gold at a more affordable price point.

No, gold-fill is not the same as gold plated. Gold-plated jewelry is made when a base metal, such as brass or copper is very thinly coated with a layer of gold. The process for plating gold is far less standardized so the amount of gold used can vary. Usually, gold-plated jewelry has less than .05% gold content. That means that with a required 5% gold weight, gold-fill has nearly 100 times the amount of gold as gold plated! 

Due to the solid shell of real gold, gold-fill jewelry is very durable. However, in some situations, it can tarnish, just like solid gold.  Tarnish is caused by exposure to air, skin, chemicals, and oils. Exposure to harsh chemicals from hairspray, perfume, and lotions may tarnish your gold-fill jewelry and should always be avoided. 

As long as gold-fill items are well cared for, they can last beautifully for many years. The expected lifetime of a piece of gold-fill jewelry is between 10 and 30 years. Gold-plated pieces may last a few months to a year, while solid gold lasts a lifetime or more. 

Whether or not you would have a reaction to gold-fill depends on your sensitivities. Jewelry made with gold-fill is less likely to cause reactions with sensitive skin because of the thick layer of real gold. It is nickel-free and a hypoallergenic metal (relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction).

There are three main things to consider when caring for your gold-fill jewelry: what touches it, what stays on it for long periods of time, and how you store it.

It is important to be aware of which chemicals can cause tarnish on your pieces. Sunscreen, perfumes, lotions, cleaning products with bleach, nail polish remover, and hairspray can all be harsh on gold-fill. If you choose to shower with your pieces on, be careful with shampoos and soaps. Make sure they are mild enough to not cause a reaction. Be sure to rinse your jewelry well so no residue remains on it.

For day-to-day maintenance, gently remove any makeup or oils that may have rubbed off from your skin onto your jewelry by wiping with a soft cloth. We include a soft polishing cloth with all orders over $20. If you have been extra sweaty or you used lotions, you may want to rinse the jewelry in lukewarm water and dry with a soft cloth. Taking your jewelry off when you sleep can also extend its life.

If you know your jewelry was exposed to a strong substance for a prolonged amount of time, you may want to consider deep cleaning it. To do so, get a bowl of warm water with a touch of gentle soap, such as Dawn dish detergent. Let the piece soak for about a minute. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, gently give it a scrub, making sure to focus on areas that might collect dirt and grime. Rinse in lukewarm water to remove all soap. Dry well afterward and store in an air-tight container, such as the small ziplock bags we ship our products in. Then store in a low-humidity environment.

Storing your clean jewelry in an airtight container or jewelry box is the best way to care for it and ensure a long life.