Gold-filled is the closest alternative to solid gold jewelry. An economical substitute, gold-filled jewelry is tarnish-resistant, hypoallergenic, and long-lasting, just like solid gold. Gold-filled jewelry has a thick layer of solid gold bonded onto the base layer, usually brass or sterling silver.
Unlike gold plated, which is made by using an electroplating process that quickly dips your jewelry in gold and results in a thin coating, gold-filled is much more durable and long-lasting. Gold-filled jewelry contains 5% gold by weight and is made by bonding a thick layer of gold to a core metal under heat and pressure, resulting in a much more secure and durable ‘coating’.
Gold-plated jewelry contains 0.03-0.05% solid gold, while U.S. standards require gold-filled jewelry to contain 5% solid gold - this means that gold-filled jewelry contains 100x more gold than gold-plated jewelry!
While gold-filled jewelry is tarnish-resistant, it can still tarnish under special circumstances, like excessive and rough use, or exposure to corrosive agents. Proper care can go a long way in helping your jewelry last longer and keep its luster. Avoid exposing your jewelry to chemicals such as fragrances, lotions, creams, harsh soaps and shampoos, sunscreen, chlorine, or any items containing sulfur. Natural body oils and residue can be cleaned using warm water and mild soap. After cleaning please pat dry your jewelry - do not rub as this may result in scratches. Safely store your pieces in the microfiber pouch they came in or in a jewelry box, away from any sources of humidity.
All chains, findings, and other jewelry components used in LK jewelry are gold-filled unless specified otherwise. Some designs and pieces are impossible to create in gold-filled jewelry, in those cases we use well-crafted gold-plated or gold-vermeil components, still using gold-filled materials wherever possible in the rest of the piece.
Gold-filled jewelry is:
- Tarnish-resistant
- Hypoallergenic
- Long-lasting
- and cheaper than solid gold jewelry!