Why is it called "Gold Filled"? The product is not filled with gold; quite the contrary, gold is applied to the outside surface. The name may have originated from early applications in which a sheet of karat gold was wrapped around a base metal rod, fused to it and then drawn into wire. Thus, the wire was produced from "gold, filled with supporting metal".

The terminology used to describe karat gold jewelry is well known throughout the world. There is no ambiguity although there are some differences among countries regarding the tolerance limits for gold content. Unfortunately, the words used to describe gold filled jewelry or costume jewelry are not well understood. What are gold filled, rolled gold plate, gold overlay, gold electroplate?

Author: Aldo M. Reti