We Buy Gold Filled
JEWELERS, DEALERS AND PUBLIC WELCOME
Where to Sell Gold Filled?
We are buyers of all gold filled jewelry as well as gold plated jewelry (costume jewelry).
Not sure of the difference between gold filled and gold plated? We can help!
Maybe you've already done some research but have come across confusing, conflicting, or downright false facts about gold filled versus gold plated pieces. We can help and keep in mind we are buyers of both!
Is Gold-Filled the same as Gold-Plated?
No, they are very different materials. Not only are their manufacturing processes different, but the amount of gold alloy used in gold-filled pieces is different than gold-plated often times making it more valuable.
As a general rule of comparison:
Gold filled generally means a gold area about 5% of the thickness of the piece spread across the surface of, generally brass. Versus Gold Plated which also has a gold coating however the thickness is a few to a single micron or 0.05% of the surface. Meaning the layer of gold alloy on gold-plated jewelry is so minuscule it is barely noticeable if you cut a cross section of a gold plated piece. By comparison Gold-filled jewelry has 100 times more gold alloy than gold plated and because that layer of gold is so much thicker, it means gold-filled jewelry lasts longer and stands up to wear and tear better than gold plated (generally). All it would take is one small scratch on a gold-plated piece to expose the jeweler's brass underneath.
Here is a more simple explanation chart:
Solid Gold: refers to an item that is gold all the way through, the item could be an alloy of gold such as 14 karat however through the entire piece is solid 14 karat. A solid gold piece is the most valuable generally of these types of pieces
Gold Filled: 5% of the surface is gold generally bonded sheets gold gold over copper. More valuable than gold plated but less valuable than vermeil or solid gold generally speaking.
Gold Plated: 0.05% of the surface has gold on the outside. The least valuable generally
Vermeil: refers to an item that is plated in gold but the base is made out of sterling silver making it more valuable than just gold plated copper; Generally more valuable than gold filled or gold plated
To make gold-filled pieces, the core metal is sandwiched between two layers of gold alloy which is then heated and passed through a roller several times - a process that both bonds the metals together and thins the sheet out. By contrast gold-plated pieces are made using an electric current that is negatively charged to the base metal and positively charged in a solution containing gold ions (literally like liquid gold that you can see through). The positive gold ions are attracted to the negative charge of the core metal, slowly forming a layer of gold on top of the core. Thicker amounts of gold alloy can be added during both processes but typically the amounts discussed previously are averages.
What does this mean if I want to sell gold filled or gold plated pieces?
It means gold filled pieces will generally have more value than gold plated. We will buy both costume jewelry and gold plated and generally we purchase them in large quantities.
How does Gold Filled compare to Gold Plated durability wise?
Gold-filled pieces are generally more durable than gold-plated due to the thicker layer of gold alloy. The longevity of either type is dependent on the wear, environment, and quality of the piece. As long as a piece is well cared for, gold-filled jewelry can last quite a while. Gold plated jewelry is not as durable and can't stand up to much heat, water, or wear. Both gold plated and Gold-filled pieces can still tarnish, but it takes special circumstances for that to happen particularly for gold filled pieces. Pure gold doesn't tarnish, so even though it's an alloy (1/20th 14kt as an example-14kt being the alloy), the thick layer on gold-filled pieces prevents tarnishing. Due to the thin layer of gold which can easily wear off, gold plated pieces can tarnish once the core metal is exposed. To clean gold-filled jewelry without scratching it (which would lead to tarnishing) use an untreated cloth or mild soapy water. Do not scrub the piece. As for gold-plated, clean only if you absolutely must. We suggest using a cotton ball and as with gold-filled do not scrub.
Have items you want to sell? We are always buyers! Contact us to find out more.
We are buyers of all gold filled jewelry as well as gold plated jewelry (costume jewelry).
Not sure of the difference between gold filled and gold plated? We can help!
Maybe you've already done some research but have come across confusing, conflicting, or downright false facts about gold filled versus gold plated pieces. We can help and keep in mind we are buyers of both!
Is Gold-Filled the same as Gold-Plated?
No, they are very different materials. Not only are their manufacturing processes different, but the amount of gold alloy used in gold-filled pieces is different than gold-plated often times making it more valuable.
As a general rule of comparison:
Gold filled generally means a gold area about 5% of the thickness of the piece spread across the surface of, generally brass. Versus Gold Plated which also has a gold coating however the thickness is a few to a single micron or 0.05% of the surface. Meaning the layer of gold alloy on gold-plated jewelry is so minuscule it is barely noticeable if you cut a cross section of a gold plated piece. By comparison Gold-filled jewelry has 100 times more gold alloy than gold plated and because that layer of gold is so much thicker, it means gold-filled jewelry lasts longer and stands up to wear and tear better than gold plated (generally). All it would take is one small scratch on a gold-plated piece to expose the jeweler's brass underneath.
Here is a more simple explanation chart:
Solid Gold: refers to an item that is gold all the way through, the item could be an alloy of gold such as 14 karat however through the entire piece is solid 14 karat. A solid gold piece is the most valuable generally of these types of pieces
Gold Filled: 5% of the surface is gold generally bonded sheets gold gold over copper. More valuable than gold plated but less valuable than vermeil or solid gold generally speaking.
Gold Plated: 0.05% of the surface has gold on the outside. The least valuable generally
Vermeil: refers to an item that is plated in gold but the base is made out of sterling silver making it more valuable than just gold plated copper; Generally more valuable than gold filled or gold plated
To make gold-filled pieces, the core metal is sandwiched between two layers of gold alloy which is then heated and passed through a roller several times - a process that both bonds the metals together and thins the sheet out. By contrast gold-plated pieces are made using an electric current that is negatively charged to the base metal and positively charged in a solution containing gold ions (literally like liquid gold that you can see through). The positive gold ions are attracted to the negative charge of the core metal, slowly forming a layer of gold on top of the core. Thicker amounts of gold alloy can be added during both processes but typically the amounts discussed previously are averages.
What does this mean if I want to sell gold filled or gold plated pieces?
It means gold filled pieces will generally have more value than gold plated. We will buy both costume jewelry and gold plated and generally we purchase them in large quantities.
How does Gold Filled compare to Gold Plated durability wise?
Gold-filled pieces are generally more durable than gold-plated due to the thicker layer of gold alloy. The longevity of either type is dependent on the wear, environment, and quality of the piece. As long as a piece is well cared for, gold-filled jewelry can last quite a while. Gold plated jewelry is not as durable and can't stand up to much heat, water, or wear. Both gold plated and Gold-filled pieces can still tarnish, but it takes special circumstances for that to happen particularly for gold filled pieces. Pure gold doesn't tarnish, so even though it's an alloy (1/20th 14kt as an example-14kt being the alloy), the thick layer on gold-filled pieces prevents tarnishing. Due to the thin layer of gold which can easily wear off, gold plated pieces can tarnish once the core metal is exposed. To clean gold-filled jewelry without scratching it (which would lead to tarnishing) use an untreated cloth or mild soapy water. Do not scrub the piece. As for gold-plated, clean only if you absolutely must. We suggest using a cotton ball and as with gold-filled do not scrub.
Have items you want to sell? We are always buyers! Contact us to find out more.
