KBH 7 Posted September 22, 2009 Gold-filled jewelry aka "Rolled Gold" or "Rolled Gold Plate" is composed of a solid layer of gold bonded with heat and pressure to a base metal such as brass. Some high quality gold-filled pieces have the look, luster, and beauty of 14 karat (58%) gold. In the USA the quality of gold filled is defined by the Federal Trade Commission. If the gold layer is 10Kt fineness the minimum layer of karat gold in an item stamped GF must equal at least 1/10 the weight of the total item. If the gold layer is 12k or higher the minimum layer of karat gold in an item stamped GF must equal at least 1/20 the weight of the total item. 1/20 12kt GF is the most common stamp you will find on gold-filled jewelry. 10kt and 14kt are also common karatages. Some products are made using sterling silver as the base, although this more expensive version is not common today. "Double clad" gold-filled sheet is produced with 1/2 the thickness of gold on each side. The Federal Trade Commission allows the use of Rolled Gold Plate or R.G.P. on items with lower thicknesses of gold than are required for Gold-filled. 1/60 12Kt RGP designates a 12Kt gold layer that is 1/60 the weight of the total item. This lower quality does not wear as well as Gold-filled items. Gold-filled items, even with daily wear, can last five to 30 years but will eventually wear through. The gold layer on gold-plated jewelry varies greatly depending on manufacturer, so there is no single, simple comparison. Gold-filled items are 50 to 100,000 times thicker than regular gold plating, and 17 to 25,000 times thicker than heavy gold electroplate (sometimes stamped HGE or HGP -- usually found on flashy cubic zirconia "cocktail rings"). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
houndoggie 58 Posted September 22, 2009 so is gold filled the same as gold wrapped? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KBH 7 Posted September 22, 2009 From looking on Google, "gold wrapped" seems to be a marketing tool, not an actual grade. Other than that, I have no idea, unless they are talking about "double clad" when they say double wrapped. "Double clad" gold-filled sheet is produced with 1/2 the thickness of gold on each side. Maybe someone else knows the answer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites