Gold-filled and 14k gf®: Officially Recognized Gold Composite Materials

According to USA law, gold-filled jewelry must contain at least 5% (or 1/20) of 9K gold. Any item with less gold cannot legally be called gold-filled.

14k gf® is a jewelry industry certification mark that ensures products meet specific quality standards. 14k gf® jewelry must also contain at least 5% (or 1/20) of gold, but with a minimum fineness of 14K. Additionally, the composite material can only contain gold, silver, and copper. Items that don’t meet these criteria cannot be legally marked with the 14k gf® trademark.

Is gold-filled or 14k gf® jewelry real gold?

The gold in both gold-filled and 14k gf® jewelry is definitely real. Both types contain at least 5% real gold. However, they are technically considered „gold composite materials” because they contain other metals. According to most international standards, jewelry with less than 41.7% (or 8 carats) of gold is not considered „real gold.”

About Gold Karats and Purity:

Most gold used in jewelry is actually an alloy, or a mixture of metals. The purity of gold in the jewelry is indicated by its karat number. 24 karat (24K) gold, also called „fine gold,” is the purest form, containing over 99.7% pure gold.

Gold filled is a metallic-layered composite consisting of two layers:

Core: Made of a base metal, such as copper or brass.
Layer: Made of gold of a specified thickness.
According to US law, to be labeled as “gold filled”, the composite must meet the following requirements: Layer Thickness: The gold layer must constitute at least 1/20 of the total weight of the item.
Bonding Method: The gold layer must be permanently bonded to the core using soldering, welding, or another process that ensures a durable bond.
Markings: Objects made from the “gold filled” composite must be marked with a clear and permanent quality mark, such as “1/20 14K GF”.
Gold filled is a versatile material used to produce a variety of products, including: Jewelry (bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings, etc.)
Jewelry components and semi-finished products
Sheets metal
Wires
Other decorative or functional items
It offers a more affordable alternative to solid gold while providing greater durability and resistance to wear compared to gold plating.


14k gf® gold composite consisting of gold, silver, and copper only.

14k gf®: A registered trademark and certification mark within the jewelry industry specifically for gold-filled items. Unlike other gold composites, 14k gf® products must adhere to stricter quality standards and regulations established by the trademark owner. These regulations ensure:

Minimum gold content of 5%: Guaranteed to contain at least 5% (1/20) of 14 karat gold by weight, which corresponds to 58.3% pure gold.
Specific metal composition: Only permitted to use gold, silver, and copper in its composition. This ensures durability and minimizes allergy risks.
Manufacturing processes: Adheres to specific bonding techniques and thickness requirements for the gold layer.
Therefore, while 14k gf® falls under the umbrella of „gold composites,” it distinguishes itself by its stricter regulations and focus on certified gold-filled products.