Gold Fill Jewellery Care and Info

WHAT IS GOLD FILL?

Gold Filled is a jewellery material in which a layer of real gold has been pressure bonded onto a base metal. Unlike other non-solid gold options there’s regulations around gold fill which specify that at least 5% of the item must be solid gold.

Quite simply, Gold Fill is the best alternative to pure gold as the finished product won’t chip or discolour and if properly cared for, should last many years.

WHY WE LOVE GOLD FILL HERE AT KBN

Gorgeous like solid gold, but much more affordable
Hypoallergenic (no nickel, sensitive-skin friendly)
Can wear 24/7—even in the shower!
Easy to look after

Limitations to Know

Tiny soldered bits like clasps or ring joins may show the base metal—just a reality of craft, but totally fine in look and strength.

Everyday Benefits

You can wear it in the shower, at the gym, even while sleeping.
Stays bright and golden with simple care.
Perfect balance of beauty + practicality.

HOW IS GOLD FILL MADE?

Gold Fill jewellery is created through a special process called mechanical bonding. Here’s how it works:

We start with the Base Metal (Core)

A strong core metal (usually jeweller’s brass) is used as the foundation.
This gives the piece strength and structure while keeping it lightweight and affordable.

Apply a Thick Gold Layer

A sheet of solid gold is layered over the brass.
By law, Gold Fill must contain at least 5% pure gold by weight – this is what makes it so much thicker and more durable than gold plating.

Bonded with Heat + Pressure

The gold and brass are bonded together using intense heat and pressure.
This isn’t just a surface dip like plating – the gold is literally fused to the base metal, which is why it doesn’t chip or flake off.
Once bonded, the gold-filled material is rolled out into sheets or wires.

Crafting the Jewellery

Jewellers (like us!) then cut, shape, and solder it into dainty designs.
Because the gold is thick and fused, the surface you see and wear is real gold, giving you the look and feel of solid gold without the price tag.

GOLD FILL VS GOLD PLATING VS GOLD VERMEIL

Gold Fill, Gold Vermeil & Gold Plated Jewellery are all created by adding a layer of gold onto a base metal.

But how are they different?

Gold Fill: thick, durable - about 100× more gold than standard plating.

Gold Vermeil: thin coating of gold over silver; thinner, more prone to wear.

Gold Plated: very fine layer over brass or copper; much less durable than Gold Fill.

So why is Gold Fill better (than. Plating & Vermeil)

WANT MORE DETAILED INFO?

Gold Fill

Gold Fill is made by bonding a thick layer of solid gold to a core metal (usually jeweller’s brass) using heat and pressure. Legally, that gold layer must make up at least 5% of the item’s total weight, which is around 100 times thicker than standard gold plating. Because of this, the gold you see and feel on the surface is real gold, it doesn’t just sit on top like paint, it’s securely fused to the base.

This makes Gold Fill incredibly durable. Unlike Vermeil or Plated jewellery, it can withstand daily wear, showers, exercise, and even sleep without losing its shine. It doesn’t chip, peel, or flake, and the thick gold layer means it won’t simply “rub off” the way plating does.

Another benefit? Gold Fill is hypoallergenic – no nickel, no nasties – so it’s perfect for sensitive skin. It has the look and feel of solid gold jewellery but at a much more accessible price point. With a little bit of simple care (like wiping away oils and dirt with a polish cloth), Gold Fill can last for many, many years.

In short:

Compared to Gold Vermeil: it’s far more durable, less prone to fading, and not dependent on delicate silver that can tarnish.
Compared to Gold Plated: it’s regulated, thicker, stronger, and built to last – you don’t need to worry about the gold disappearing after a few wears.

Gold Fill is the sweet spot – all the beauty and shine of solid gold, without the huge price tag, and with way more strength and longevity than Vermeil or Plated jewellery.

Gold Vermeil

Gold Vermeil is jewellery made from a base of sterling silver that’s coated with a layer of gold. At first glance, it can look similar to Gold Fill, but the difference lies in the thickness of that gold layer. Vermeil has a much thinner layer of gold, which makes it more prone to fading and wearing down over time – especially if you wear it every day, or in water.

Because the base metal is silver, it’s usually considered higher quality than standard plating. However, silver itself can tarnish, so once that thin layer of gold begins to wear away, you’ll start to see the silver peeking through. With careful, occasional wear, Vermeil can stay pretty for a while – but it’s not designed for the same kind of long-term, daily wear that Gold Fill can handle.

Gold Plated

Gold Plated jewellery uses a very fine layer of gold applied over a base metal like brass or copper. Unlike Gold Fill, there’s no minimum requirement for how thick the gold needs to be – and in most cases, it’s extremely thin (sometimes less than 0.05%).

That’s why plating is the least durable option. The gold layer can fade, chip, or peel quite quickly – especially if exposed to water, sweat, perfumes, or even just the friction of everyday wear. Once the thin gold layer wears off, the base metal underneath becomes visible, which can change the colour of your piece and may irritate sensitive skin.

Plated jewellery can be fun for trendy, short-term wear, but it’s not designed to last. In comparison, Gold Fill offers a much thicker, regulated layer of gold that’s bonded for durability – making it the far better option if you’re looking for jewellery to wear and treasure every day.

How to Care for Your Gold Fill Jewellery

Do’s:

Wear it daily! Even in the shower, the gold stays put.
Regularly wipe with our white polish pad - it brightens your piece beautifully.
Pay extra attention to pendant edges - they can get dull and pick up dirt and moisture quickly (sometimes even after a few wears).
Store in an airtight box when not in use to avoid moisture build-up.

No polish pad? No worries! We sell them in packs here.

Otherwise wash gently with mild dish soap and warm water, gently scrub with a very soft toothbrush. Pat dry completely with a soft towel or cloth and you’re good to go.

CAN I WEAR GOLD FILL IN THE SHOWER

Yes! You sure can. We all do, we wear our rings, necklaces, everything in the shower. The gold will not fade or rub off.

As with anything if you want to keep your piece looking its absolute best you can remove before showering, but as for the gold- it’s not going anywhere!

DOES GOLD FILL TARNISH?

Short answer – NO!

One of the best things about Gold Fill is that it doesn’t tarnish like sterling silver or plated jewellery can. The thick layer of real gold that’s pressure-bonded to the base metal means the surface you see and wear is real gold, and real gold doesn’t rust, tarnish, or peel away. That’s why Gold Fill stays golden for years, even with everyday wear.

What you might notice over time, though, is that your jewellery doesn’t look as bright or shiny as the day you first put it on. This isn’t the gold fading, it’s simply life building up on the surface. Everyday things like natural skin oils, moisturisers, sunscreen, and even a bit of sweat can leave a light film that makes your piece look duller. Sometimes tiny bits of dirt can settle in the little creases or edges too.

The good news? This is totally temporary and super easy to fix. A quick wipe with a polish pad will wipe away that film and bring your piece right back to its original golden shine. If you don’t have a polish pad handy, even a gentle wash with mild soap and warm water will refresh it beautifully! Just be sure to dry it completely afterwards.

So while Gold Fill doesn’t tarnish in the way silver does, it still appreciates a little self-care now and then. Think of it like your favourite pair of shoes, they don’t fall apart, but giving them a quick polish keeps them looking their best.

CURIOUS ABOUT CARE HACKS OR HAVE A QUESTIONS ?

We’re always here to help - just drop us a message 🙂