Jewelry Care & Tips

What Is Gold Fill? Why It Lasts Longer (and Wears Better)

What Is Gold Fill? Why It Lasts Longer (and Wears Better)

You've probably seen jewelry labeled gold-plated, solid gold, vermeil, or gold-filled. At Favor Jewelry, we love using gold fill because it combines the beauty of solid gold without the fragility of plating. Unlike plated jewelry, it's not just a layer of gold sitting on top—it's literally fused to the metal underneath.

 


What Makes Gold Fill So Special

Gold-filled jewelry is made by pressure bonding a thick layer of 14k gold onto a base metal, usually brass. The gold isn’t just sitting on top—it’s fused under extreme heat and pressure so that it becomes one piece with the underlying metal. Essentially, you have a core of brass and a thick layer of gold, all fused together into a single, durable sheet. This process is repeated multiple times to ensure the gold is permanently bonded, making the jewelry long-lasting and resistant to wear.

Compare that to gold-plated jewelry, which is basically a coat of paint: a super-thin layer of gold that can wear off quickly. Even vermeil—usually a thicker coating of gold plated over sterling silver—is still just a coating. And when that coating wears off, the silver underneath often doesn’t match, leaving your piece looking patchy or faded.

Gold-filled jewelry is hypoallergenic, resistant to tarnish, and safe for sensitive skin. At Favor Jewelry, we choose gold fill for pieces like our stacking rings, tiny posts, and minimal necklaces because it’s long-lasting, beautiful, and sustainable.

 


Why Gold Fill Wears Better

  • Durable: Resists scratches, fading, and everyday wear.
  • Hypoallergenic: Nickel-free and safe for sensitive skin.
  • Everyday-ready: Pieces you can wear all the time without worrying.

Gold fill keeps your favorite pieces looking new for years. That’s why we use it for jewelry designed to be worn daily and loved over a lifetime.

 


Care Tips for Gold-Filled Jewelry

Even though gold-filled jewelry is durable, proper care extends its life even more:

  • Remove jewelry before swimming or showering.
  • Store pieces separately to prevent scratching.
  • Clean gently with mild soap, water, and a soft cloth.

With the right care, your gold-filled jewelry will keep its shine, letting you enjoy the simplicity and elegance of Favor designs for years to come.