- Types of Gold Coatings
![Picture](/uploads/4/4/9/3/44937843/biz-sky-mint-types-of-gold-coatings_orig.png)
- Gold-Filled
Gold-filled metal has the thickest and best quality of all the different types of gold coatings, Since gold alloy must account for or fill at least 5% of the total metal weight, A piece of gold-filled jewellery can last for years or even decades, Common gold-filled stamp marks :
- GF ( Gold-Filled )
- 1/20 14K ( Meaning 1/20 parts or 5% 14k gold )
- Rolled Gold
Rolled gold is often used for making high-end costume jewellery, It is visually indistinguishable from solid gold and with proper care can last for many years, Common rolled gold stamp marks :
- RG ( Rolled Gold ) or RGP ( Rolled Gold Plate )
- 1/40 14K ( Meaning 1/40 parts or 2.5% 14k gold )
- Vermeil
Gold vermeil is usually made by suspending sterling silver jewellery in a liquid gold solution and subjecting it to an electric current which bonds the gold plating to the silver.
Though sterling silver is more valuable than the base metals used in gold-filled and rolled gold, Vermeil costs less due to its much lower gold content, Vermeil jewellery pieces will also eventually tarnish as the gold layer wears off, Common vermeil stamp marks :
- Vermeil
- .925 ( Meaning 925 sterling silver )
- Gold Plated
Gold plating is usually found on cheap costume jewellery that’s not designed to last long, It’s an ideal type of gold for trying out different trends or for items that you don’t intend to wear often, Common gold plated stamp marks :
- GP ( Gold Plated ) or GEP ( Gold Electroplated )
- HGP ( Heavy Gold Plate ) or HGE ( Heavy Gold Electroplate )