WHAT DO THE TERMS GOLD FILLED, GOLD OVERLAY AND GOLD ELECTROPLATE MEAN?
Gold filled is an overlay of 10K gold or better, bonded by means of heat and pressure to a base metal (usually brass). By Federal standards, the weight of the gold must be at least 1/20th of the total weight of the metal. If referred to as gold filled , the jewelry must be stamped with the weight and fineness of the gold. For example: 1/20 14K; or 14KGF. (If GF is used the weight is not required). Gold overlay is manufactured by the same method as gold filled, however, the weight of the gold can be less than 1/20th the weight of the metal. It can also be called gold plate, rolled gold plate and rolled gold. It must carry a quality stamp as required for gold filled; for example: 1/40 12K. Gold electroplate is gold that has been electrolytically deposited on a base metal. By Federal standards, in order to be called gold electroplate (or G.E.), the gold must be at least 7 mils (millionths of an inch) of an inch thick and of a fineness of 10K or better. The words goldtone and gold wash are
