18k Gold Filled Care
Gold filled is built to be worn every day. Here is what it actually is, and the four minutes of care that keep it looking new for years.
What gold filled really is
A thick sheet of solid 18k gold is bonded to a jeweller’s brass core under heat and pressure. In the United States, a piece can only be called gold filled if that gold layer is at least 5% of the total weight.
That sounds small until you compare it. Gold plating is a microscopic coating, often measured in fractions of a micron, applied electrically. Gold filled is roughly 100 times thicker, and it is bonded rather than deposited, so it cannot flake or peel.
| Gold plated | Gold filled | Solid gold | |
| Gold layer | Microscopic | At least 5% of weight | All the way through |
| How it is applied | Electroplated | Bonded under pressure | Not applicable |
| Typical life | Months | Years | A lifetime |
| Safe with water | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sensitive skin | Often not | Yes | Yes |
What you can do with it
- Shower with it. Water does nothing to gold filled.
- Wash your hands, wash dishes, sweat. All fine.
- Work out in it. Sweat is not a problem.
- Sleep in it, if the piece is comfortable. It will not damage the gold.
What shortens its life
- Chlorine and salt water. A quick dip is fine. Hours in a pool or the sea, repeated, will dull the shine.
- Perfume, hairspray and lotion applied on top. Put your jewelry on last, once everything else has dried.
- Household cleaners and bleach. Take it off before cleaning.
- Abrasive polishing cloths. The ones made for silver are too harsh. They rub the gold layer thinner.
How to clean it
- Warm water with a drop of mild dish soap.
- Wipe gently with your fingers or a soft cloth. No scrubbing, no brushes.
- Rinse in clean water.
- Dry it completely with a soft cloth before putting it away. This is the step that matters most.
How to store it
Dry, and away from other pieces so chains do not scratch each other. The pouch your order comes in is made for exactly this. A humid bathroom is the worst place to keep jewelry of any kind.
How long will it last?
With everyday wear and the care above, our pieces keep their color for years. Gold filled does not turn your skin green and does not fade the way plating does.
What we will not tell you is that it is forever. It is not solid gold. After many years of constant wear, a piece can eventually show wear at the points of most friction. That is normal, and it is still far beyond what plated jewelry will ever give you.
Questions
Email acuarelajewelry20@gmail.com or call +1 347-438-9253, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET.