We Love Gold Fill Jewelry—Here's What You Need to Know

Jun 05, 2023

Disclaimer: We LOVE gold fill jewelry around here.

We make all of our jewelry in gold fill and sterling silver!

Want to know what we don't love? Gold jewelry that turns your skin green. That's why we make all our gold pieces with gold fill. Let's dive into what this special metal is and why we love it!

Gold fill jewelry has a core of high-quality jewelers brass and a thick coating of gold on the outside. Unlike gold plated, which has a thiner layer of gold, the gold coating does not rub off as quickly so it won't turn a different color nor turn your skin green!

14-karat magic

Our gold fill jewelry is coated in a thick layer of 14-karat gold. Not sure what that means? Gold is graded by karats, a measure of the gold's weight. The higher the karat, the more gold present in the metal and the more yellow the metal appears.

14k gold is mid-weight, making it more yellow than 10k gold but less yellow than 24k gold. We like to describe it as a neutral yellow—not too orangey-yellow and not too rosy-yellow.

PSA: Don't let the sticker shock scare you

Unlike gold plated or gold vermeil jewelry—both which have a thin layer of gold around a mixed metal or silver center, respectively—gold fill has a thick coating of gold around a brass core. Often, the gold coating up to 100 times thicker than the coating on gold plated or gold vermeil.

This means two things: You're getting a piece that is extremely durable and tarnish-resistant! However, gold fill is often pricier than other gold jewelry alternatives because it uses more gold. For context, one ounce of pure gold ranges from $1,800 to $2,000 depending on the market!

Mixed metal core

Gold fill jewelry has a brass core that is covered by the 14k gold coating. The core is made from high-quality jeweler's brass, making it durable. Plus, it is nickel-free (this common metal often inflames jewelry sensitivities).

Waterproof and hypoallergenic

Because gold fill has a thick coating of pure gold, your gold fill jewelry is 100% waterproof and hypoallergenic. In fact, wearing your gold fill in the shower is one of the best ways to keep your jewelry clean and shiny.

Know that time may dull the luster

You may notice that your gold-fill jewelry (or any jewelry for that matter) dulls over time. The dullness is simply caused by little scratches and dirt building up on the metal. This wear and tear will gradually dull the gold's luster. You can shine it up a bit by cleaning away any dirt and grime (more on that later)!

Caring for gold fill jewelry

Care for your gold fill jewelry with these easy care tips:

As the metal dulls with time, you can bring it back to its shine by washing it with a soft bristle toothbrush, warm water, and soap. We use good 'ole blue Dawn
Gold fill is 100% waterproof. It's safe to get wet and won't turn your skin green. In fact, we encourage you to take it in the shower so it gets a nice bath
If you go into the ocean or pool, give it a good wash with soapy water afterward to clean off any lingering residue

As always, we're here to answer any questions you have. Let us know by messaging us on Instagram or leaving a comment on this post!

xo, Annette

P.S. If you're more of a silver person, check out our sterling silver care guide here.