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    Gold-Filled Jewelry — What is it anyway?

    Gold-Filled Jewelry — What is it anyway?

    Before investing your time and money in a piece you’re hoping to wear, we know it’s important to make sure you’ve got all the facts.

    While we primarily offer solid cast jewelry in bronze, sterling silver and 14k gold, you’ll also find a handful of gold-filled jewelry on our website.

    You may be wondering - what exactly is gold-filled jewelry? 

    We’re taking the guesswork out of it and giving you the scoop on what gold-filled jewelry is and why it’s worth adding to your collection. 

     

    What is gold-filled jewelry?

    All of the jewelry we make in-house is cast using the lost-wax casting method. However, gold-filled jewelry isn't cast, so we source our gold-filled pieces from jewelry supply companies Rio Grande in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Halstead in Prescott, Arizona.


    So how exactly is gold-filled jewelry made?

    Each gold-filled piece is “made by heat- and pressure-bonding a layer of karat gold to a brass (or other base metal) core,” Rio Grande explains. So when it came down to choosing a type of secondary jewelry to offer for everyday wear, we went with gold-filled over gold-plated because “gold-filled has an actual layer of karat gold on the surface, not just a microscopic film,” says Rio Grande. To put it simply, gold-filled is in between solid gold and gold-plated.

    Within the world of gold-filled jewelry, there is also variation among the makeup of each piece. The pieces we offer are 14/20 Gold-Filled where the “first number is the karat purity of the gold used; the second number is the amount, by weight, of gold in relation to the base-metal core,” Rio Grande explains. 

    Please Note:

    Each gold-filled piece we offer is nickel free. 

    Each lapel/tie pin we offer is available in bronze, sterling silver or 14k gold, however, the tie tac clutch/pin backs are plated and do contain nickel.



    Why did we choose gold-filled jewelry to complement the bronze pieces we cast in house?

    There are a few reasons why gold-filled jewelry is our go-to!

    Its composition lends itself to comfortable, everyday wear

    It’s important to us that the jewelry we offer can be part of your everyday lifestyle.

    It’s the same principle we follow with the jewelry we cast in-house. 

    That’s why we chose gold-filled jewelry options to pair with your favorite MIMOSA or to wear all on their own. Gold-filled jewelry can handle hand washing and a bath or shower without fear of its color chipping away, which can happen with gold plating.

    However, removing your gold-filled jewelry beforehand is still the best way to promote its longevity and the quality of its appearance.

    It’s an affordable alternative to solid gold

    Gold-filled jewelry looks pretty much identical to solid gold jewelry.

    Adding a few gold-filled staples to your collection is a cost effective way to achieve the golden look you want without having the price tag of a solid gold piece.

    It’s what we wear

    Our jewelry box contains a mix of metals, but gold-filled pieces are certainly a staple of ours. We wear and enjoy all the gold-filled pieces we offer on our website. 


    Which pieces on the MIMOSA website are gold-filled? 

    There are various gold-filled options available on our website! We’ve gone ahead and listed them below for you. 

    *If you’ve opted to purchase one of our bronze necklaces with a chain, it will come on an Everyday Gold-Filled Chain. However, the pendant itself is solid cast bronze.

    MIMOSA Handcrafted Bronze Necklaces 

    Chains:
    Rings:
    Earrings: 

     

    Article Referenced in Post: Rio Grande, "Guide to Gold-Filled Fabrication Metals & Findings."

    Published 5/12/21; Last Updated 12/21/21