Gold-Filled Chains?

[lala646]

Does anyone here have any gold-filled chains, or other GF pieces? I see them constantly on my eBay searches, both chains and beautiful lockets. I'm often tempted, but have never pulled the trigger. If you have any, please share photos and details.

 

[stracci2000]

Does anyone here have any gold-filled chains, or other GF pieces? I see them constantly on my eBay searches, both chains and beautiful lockets. I'm often tempted, but have never pulled the trigger. If you have any, please share photos and details.

I don't like gold filled or plated.
Especially a chain. The links rubbing together over time will cause the base metal to show through. Usually the base is white metal, and therefore the gold color starts to change, and look less yellow.

Rolled gold is a thicker layer of gold, and this will hold up better. Sometimes rolled gold will even pass the acid test because the layer of gold is thick.
That's why some people testing gold will file a "V" into the piece....which I hate!

 

[Mreader]

I have two things but I don’t reach for them.


They don’t have the luster of real gold.

 

[lala646]

I don't like gold filled or plated.
Especially a chain. The links rubbing together over time will cause the base metal to show through. Usually the base is white metal, and therefore the gold color starts to change, and look less yellow.

Rolled gold is a thicker layer of gold, and this will hold up better. Sometimes rolled gold will even pass the acid test because the layer of gold is thick.
That's why some people testing gold will file a "V" into the piece....which I hate!

That's really good to know!

 

[lala646]

I have two things but I don’t reach for them.


They don’t have the luster of real gold.

That's my fear. Sort of a mind-clean issue, right? But I see so many gorgeous lockets, then my spirits are dashed when I rad gold-filled. :/

 

[Mreader]

That's my fear. Sort of a mind-clean issue, right? But I see so many gorgeous lockets, then my spirits are dashed when I rad gold-filled. :/

Yes, the mind clean is definitely part of it. If you find something that’s really budget friendly then I say, go forward and see how you feel. Some people are trying to sell goldfilled things for very high prices though!

 

[pearlsngems]

I use either sterling silver, gold filled or vermeil findings for bead jewelry I make for myself. This includes head pins, leverback earring findings and clasps, and wire.
I find it wears well for my purposes, and it saves me money.

Gold filled is another term for rolled gold, per my research.
I don't buy gold plate findings for my crafts. Too thin, doesn't wear well.

Gold filled, rolled gold, gold plated, vermeil and gilt

Sometimes, an antique piece of jewellery will be made of a metal that looks like gold, tests as if it is gold but which is a another metal with a gold coating. The amount of gold coating can vary …

navettejewellery.org

Almost all my chains are 14k gold, purchased years ago when gold was much more affordable. But a couple of years ago, I bought a couple of pearl pendants that I wanted to wear on a 24" chain, and I didn't want to always be switching them back and forth from my one 24" gold chain, lest I drop them! So I bought a GF box chain for that purpose. It looks great and I expect to get many years of use from it.

Gold filled chains are lighter than gold, though; a slender, lightweight GF chain might not hang straight on one's neck. A longer one with a heavier pendant hangs fine.

 

[pammbw]

I have several new chains, and antique chains and lockets in gold filled. I love them! They wear well for me, as I don’t wear them 24/7. I take my jewelry off at night and when showering. My theory is- if a person wants to wear a piece of jewelry 24/7, or for high touch items such as rings, solid gold is best. I find that for items I wear occasionally, gold filled chains suit me perfectly and save me money to put towards the focal gemstone.

I figure If there are still so many 100 year old gold filled items on the antique jewelry market it must be good stuff!