What is Gold Fill Jewelry?
LeMel was designed to be a jewelry brand with pieces for everyone at all different price points and there's nothing more important for us than being as transparent as possible about the quality of LeMel's jewelry.
At LeMel, you can buy 14K gold and gold fill jewelry, and knowing the difference between the tow can help you better understand the price and longevity of your beloved LeMel pieces.
Below are some helpful answers to FAQs about gold fill jewelry.
Q: What is gold fill jewelry?
Gold fill jewelry is made of a thick, solid layer of gold mechanically bonded to a different base metal. This base is often sterling silver, copper or brass. To legally qualify as gold fill in the United States, it must consist of 5% pure gold by weight.
Q: How much gold is in gold fill jewelry?
The United States industry standard for gold fill jewelry requires the piece to be 5% or 1/20th pure gold by weight. While that doesn’t sound like a lot, the gold coating is what keeps gold fill jewelry from losing its color and allows the jewelry to last for years to come. Plus, gold fill jewelry is far more affordable than solid gold jewelry and the gold coating makes gold fill pieces incredibly durable when handled properly.
Q: Does gold fill jewelry get easily damaged or cause reactions for those with sensitive skin?
Due to the solid shell of real gold on the pieces, gold fill jewelry is very durable. While it can tarnish, from exposure to air and skin oils, when it's properly taken care of and cleaned, it can last a long time.
All of LeMel's gold fill jewelry, like the Everyday Stretch Bracelets, can be worn everyday and can withstand sweating and swimming. For most people, gold fill jewelry reacts with skin the same as solid gold jewelry.
Q: Is gold fill the same as gold-plated?
No. Gold-plated jewelry is the least expensive of the bunch and is made by applying a much thinner layer of gold to another base metal. The process for creating gold-plated jewelry is far less standardized and the amount of gold used can vary. We only work with 14K/18K solid gold and gold fill jewelry to provide the highest quality pieces to our clients, while offering different price points.
Q: How do I care for my gold fill jewelry?
To properly care for your jewelry, we recommend cleaning it every so often, as it will tarnish naturally from skin oils and air. If you jump in the water with your gold fill jewelry, simply clean it when you are done to remove harsh chemicals.
To clean it, use warm water and a mild soap (like our favorite Branch Basics) and soak it for 5 minutes. You can also use a polishing cloth to brighten it up. When you're not using your pieces, we recommend storing it in a ziplock bag or another air-tight container.
Q: Can I mix and match gold and gold fill jewelry?
ABSOLUTELY! All LeMel pieces are made to be mixed and matched. If you're looking for suggestions, grab the bestseller Everyday Stretch Bracelets with a Paperclip "M" Bracelet 14k to create the perfect wrist stack.
And as always, we are happy to answer any other questions or inquiries via email at hello@shoplemel.com.
