Is gold filled jewelry worth anything? It is considerably less expensive than its gold counterpart in terms of price, but you’re not sure if you should buy it.
Gold-filled is the perfect alternative for those who want traditional golden jewelry at a reasonable price. Although gold filled jewelry doesn’t have the same value as pure gold, it’s still sought-after for its affordability and similarity to solid gold.
The significance of gold-filled jewelry will be examined in this article, along with its value and suitability for purchase. Let’s dive in.
What is Gold Filled?
Gold filling is a technique discovered by John Turner in 1817 and became particularly famous during the Victorian Era. Gold filling was a practice that dates back to the 1800s, but it wasn’t until after World War One that it started to be regulated and subject to inspection.
In order to create this type of gold, a solid layer of gold is fused to a base metal, usually brass or another inexpensive metal. The purity of the gold varies, but is typically over 12K. Legally, gold-filled jewelry must weigh at least 5% more than the total weight of the piece.
The amount of gold in the jewelry as well as the base metal used determine its quality. The cost varies, depending on whether the base metal is copper, brass, nickel or silver.
Is Gold Filled Jewelry Worth Anything?
The worth of the gold-filled jewelry is based on the karat gold used on top of the base metal. Using the U.S. The G.F. will be the Federal Trade Commission. stamp on it, along with the karat gold.
It is necessary for the gold to weigh 1/20 of the item’s total weight. Therefore, to know that a ring is authentically gold filled with 12k gold, look for the “1/20 12kt G.F.” stamp. There are some with 14k gold filling, but 10kt is the most typical.
Pro tip: When you see the stamp “R.G.P,” that’s an indication that the item has less gold in terms of thickness, and it is a gold overlay and thus not gold filled jewelry.
However, the gold isn’t worth much if you intend to sell it again. You’re perhaps better off saving up more and purchasing gold jewelry.
If it has sentimental value, refilling it in the event that it does fade would be a better way to keep it with you.
You might only receive the value of the base metal, which is virtually nothing, at the pawnshop.
Alternately, you could discard the object and replace it in the hopes that one day you’ll be able to buy an actual piece of gold.
Pros and Cons of Gold-filled Jewelry
In this section, we’ll examine the pros and cons of gold-filled jewelry.
Pros
- It is more affordable as compared to gold
- People can’t tell if the jewelry is gold-filled only by looking at it, mainly if it’s in good condition
- It lasts longer when compared to gold plated or gold overlay pieces
Cons
- The gold surface will eventually tarnish, leaving the base metal exposed
Does Gold Filled Jewelry Tarnish?
There is less chance of them peeling, tarnishing, or discoloring because gold-filled jewelry is resistant to nicks and scratches. This is due to the fact that the gold sheets attached to the base metal are thicker than those used in gold-plated jewelry.
However, wearing gold-filled jewelry frequently can cause it to tarnish and lose some of its color. However, gold filled jewelry with the right cleaning and maintenance, it’s very uncommon for gold-filled ornaments to tarnish.
Related Post: Does Gold-filled Jewelry Turn Green?
Is Gold Filled Jewelry Worth Buying?
Gold-filled jewelry is worth purchasing if you’re looking to have an item that’s as close as it can get to real gold. A sterling silver ring that has been gold-filled will do if you don’t have enough money to buy 14k, 18k, or even 24k gold jewelry.
You can then be happy with something that contains a significant amount of gold. Additionally, it costs less than gold of the same karat.
Gold-filled jewelry has another useful quality in that it lasts for a very long time even with a minimum of 5% gold in its composition.
When maintained, it can last between 10 and 30 years before you need to go get it refilled. So keep in mind to make sure the item is gold filled and not gold plated.
It lasts five to ten times longer when filled than when it’s plated. You will be dissatisfied if you receive something with an overlay. Gold-filled jewelry lasts 15 to 25 times longer in that regard.
With that, gold-filled jewelry is worth purchasing. Even with these optimistic predictions, the duration before the base metal is visible varies depending on the item.
For example, a gold ring worn daily with no precautions to standard care might last for three years before it fades, depending on the karat gold used.
However, a necklace that’s not worn daily might last almost a decade before it requires a trip to the jewelry.
Conclusion: is Gold Filled Jewelry Worth Anything
Gold filled jewelry is an excellent alternative to gold jewelry, offering good value and high quality.
Knowing what gold-filled jewelry is to help to determine its worth to you.
A value is assigned to things by people. Gold-filled items may seem like a good deal to some people, who may decide to purchase them, while real gold may be more important to them.
Make a choice based on what’s practical in your context and what will make you happy.
Read More:
- Gold Vermeil Vs Gold-filled
- Gold-filled Vs Gold-plated
- How to Care for Gold-filled Jewelry?
- How Long Does Gold Filled Jewelry Last?
FAQs
Is Gold Filled Jewelry Good?
Gold-filled jewelry is typically less expensive than solid gold jewelry, it is actually more durable, looking shiny and new even with decades of wear.
Is It Worth Buying Gold Filled Jewelry?
Gold-filled jewelry is a great option for those who want the look of gold without the high price tag.
Is Gold-filled Worth More Than Gold Plated?
Gold-filled jewelry is generally more valuable than gold-plated, largely because it contains a higher concentration of high-quality gold.
