Contrary to what the name implies, gold-filled is a layer of gold coating on the outside of a base metal. Gold Filled often starts as a brass sheet or wire then a thick layer {5% or more of total weight, while plated pieces are often less than 1%} of at least 10K gold is then bonded to the brass base with extreme heat and pressure. At MBM, we use 14K! This process doesn’t just create a layer that sits on top of the base, it fuses the two layers making it incredibly durable. This substantial layer of gold is what keeps your piece tarnish and chip resistant. With proper care, gold filled jewelry can last for years to come! This includes not wearing your piece while swimming, gentle cleanings, and storing the piece with care.
For more information on Gold Jewelry, see our blog post here!