What is gold-filled jewellery?
Gold jewellery has been treasured for centuries, exuding elegance and luxury. While solid gold jewellery is undeniably stunning, it can be expensive. That's where gold-filled jewellery comes into play. Here we explain what it is, its advantages, and why we chose it to finish our genuine gemstone necklaces.
What is Gold-Filled Jewellery?
Gold-filled jewellery is a type of jewellery made by bonding a layer of gold alloy (typically 14k or 18k) to a base metal core. This process involves mechanically bonding the two layers, creating a durable and long-lasting piece. Gold-filled jewellery is not the same as gold-plated jewellery, where a thin layer of gold is electroplated onto a base metal. Unlike gold plating, gold-filled jewellery is much more resistant to wear and tear.
Advantages of Gold-Filled Jewellery:
Affordability: One of the primary advantages of gold-filled jewellery is its cost-effectiveness. It provides the look and feel of solid gold jewellery without the hefty price tag. And look closely at the colour — it’s a much more buttery, natural shade of gold.
Durability: Gold-filled jewellery is known for its longevity. With proper care, it can last a lifetime, making it an excellent investment.
Hypoallergenic: Many people with sensitive skin find gold-filled jewellery to be a suitable alternative to solid gold. It is less likely to cause skin irritation compared to some base metals used in costume jewellery.
Tarnish Resistance: Gold-filled jewellry is resistant to tarnishing, unlike some other metals. This means your pieces will maintain their luster over time.
Versatility: Gold-filled jewellry comes in a wide range of styles and designs, from classic to contemporary. You can find necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more to suit your personal style.
Why does Cunningfolk use gold filled fastings?
Fastings are the ‘gold’ parts of your jewellery — the clasps, chains and other metal pieces that make jewellery ‘work’.
Many jewellery brands use gold plated fastings. But here at Cunningfolk? We’ve opted for gold filled.
We made this decision because gold filled fastings are less expensive than solid 9 or 14 carat gold, which meant we could make our handmade gem jewellery more affordable for the people that needed it.
Many jewellers would choose to use gold-plated fastings, because they’re much cheaper than gold filled — which means bigger profits for the jewellery designer. But Cunningfolk gemstone jewellery is intended to wear everyday — after all, they’re spells that you can wear. Gold filled fastings are much more durable than gold plating, and are unlikely to tarnish or chip even with constant wear. In the shower, in the sea, at the gym. It’s not ‘recommended’ to wear your gemstone jewellery in these places, but we understand what life is like. So we made our jewellery robust enough to survive it.
Caring for Gold-Filled Jewellery:
We choose to use gold filled fastings because of their durability. But taking proper care of your gold-filled jewellrey ensures its longevity:
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Remove your gold-filled jewellrey when using household cleaning agents or swimming in chlorinated water to prevent damage.
Gentle Cleaning: Clean your jewellery with mild soap, warm water, and a soft brush. Dry it thoroughly before storing.
Storage: Store your gold-filled jewellery in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight. Consider using jewellry pouches or boxes to prevent scratches.