( 
)Money Saving options in Gold, Silver, and Satin
This guide will show reasons why Gold Filled is a good option for Karat gold. Vermeil is a better option that standard gold electroplate. Satin is a best option in cord necklaces.
Gold filled has more gold than electroplate, and can last up to 30 yrs without tarnish in normal everyday use. It is made by a completely different process from layered gold items. Gold filled is the specified Karat Gold (10K,14K 18k) bonded with heat and pressure onto another metal. To be legally stamped as gold filled the weight of the specified (10K, 12k, 14k 18K) gold must be 1/20th of the total weight of the gold filled item. Gold filled Gold is 50 to 100,000 times thicker than plated gold. Gold filled is a viable option to karat gold, and much better resistant to tarnish. A good example is Cross Pens. The Cross gold pens are a gold filled product.
Electroplating puts a thin layer of gold, or silver over a base metal (usually but not always brass). Direct electrical current (as used in autos) is used to cause the gold or silver to plate from chemical compounds onto item being plated. Thickness of electroplate can vary greatly.
The fact that gold filled is 50 to 100,000 thicker than electroplate shows how much the thickness can vary in electroplate. Gold filled is 50 times thicker than Heavy Gold electroplate, and 100,000 thicker than the electroplate normally used for gold plated jewelry items.. The higher cost heavy electroplate is used in items that imitate high quality jewelry. An example is designer copies of high end diamond rings with cubic Zirconia. Vermeil is heavy gold electroplate directly over sterling silver.
Thickness minimums in microns ( a very small unit of measure) required by FTC:
Gold Electroplate .50 microns; Heavy Gold plate 2.5 microns, Vermeil 2.5 microns.
Silver Electroplate
Silver electroplate is silver plated in a thin coating by a similar process as gold electroplate. Silver is usually plated over nickel or copper.
Satin Necklaces a Money Saving Option
Satin at one time meant silk in a special weave that shows shinny outside strands with a stronger inside cord. Now it normally means that same weave in rayon, or nylon. This is our favorite option for non metal necklaces. It is available in 30 or more colors. Satin has the luxury good looks, and hand feel of silk. Satin is perfect for the popular adjustable necklaces.
Leather cord: is another good option especially for long necklaces with heavy pendants. We recommend at least 2 mm diameter in leather. Smaller diameters are not strong enough!
Vote for our guide if you found it at least somewhat useful to you. As a gemologist GIA trained I enjoy sharing information. I answer emails with your questions.
This guide will show reasons why Gold Filled is a good option for Karat gold. Vermeil is a better option that standard gold electroplate. Satin is a best option in cord necklaces.
Gold filled has more gold than electroplate, and can last up to 30 yrs without tarnish in normal everyday use. It is made by a completely different process from layered gold items. Gold filled is the specified Karat Gold (10K,14K 18k) bonded with heat and pressure onto another metal. To be legally stamped as gold filled the weight of the specified (10K, 12k, 14k 18K) gold must be 1/20th of the total weight of the gold filled item. Gold filled Gold is 50 to 100,000 times thicker than plated gold. Gold filled is a viable option to karat gold, and much better resistant to tarnish. A good example is Cross Pens. The Cross gold pens are a gold filled product.
Electroplating puts a thin layer of gold, or silver over a base metal (usually but not always brass). Direct electrical current (as used in autos) is used to cause the gold or silver to plate from chemical compounds onto item being plated. Thickness of electroplate can vary greatly.
The fact that gold filled is 50 to 100,000 thicker than electroplate shows how much the thickness can vary in electroplate. Gold filled is 50 times thicker than Heavy Gold electroplate, and 100,000 thicker than the electroplate normally used for gold plated jewelry items.. The higher cost heavy electroplate is used in items that imitate high quality jewelry. An example is designer copies of high end diamond rings with cubic Zirconia. Vermeil is heavy gold electroplate directly over sterling silver.
Thickness minimums in microns ( a very small unit of measure) required by FTC:
Gold Electroplate .50 microns; Heavy Gold plate 2.5 microns, Vermeil 2.5 microns.
Silver Electroplate
Silver electroplate is silver plated in a thin coating by a similar process as gold electroplate. Silver is usually plated over nickel or copper.
Satin Necklaces a Money Saving Option
Satin at one time meant silk in a special weave that shows shinny outside strands with a stronger inside cord. Now it normally means that same weave in rayon, or nylon. This is our favorite option for non metal necklaces. It is available in 30 or more colors. Satin has the luxury good looks, and hand feel of silk. Satin is perfect for the popular adjustable necklaces.
Leather cord: is another good option especially for long necklaces with heavy pendants. We recommend at least 2 mm diameter in leather. Smaller diameters are not strong enough!
Vote for our guide if you found it at least somewhat useful to you. As a gemologist GIA trained I enjoy sharing information. I answer emails with your questions.
Guide created: 02/25/09 (updated 08/28/09)
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