Gold-Filled Overview

Golf-filled is a great metal to work with when you want to create high-end fashion jewelry without the cost of solid gold. Join Phillip Scott as he discusses gold-filled metal. He lists the types of gold-filled fabrication metal and findings available and offers a couple of suggestions to for when you’re working with this material.
Check out the products in this video:
• Gold-filled metals: tinyurl.com/2tv6rwr7
• Gold-filled findings: tinyurl.com/2p9p3rmv
Rio Grande stands for makers who create with their hands and their hearts and who are courageous enough to make jewelry their livelihood.
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[@hannahglover805]

I appreciate this. There are a lot of sellers claiming to sell "gold-filled" jewelry, but it's obviously gold plated castings. It's upsetting because it's cheapening the true meaning of gold-filled. I appreciate the detailed yet simple explanations provided.

[@RioGrande1944]

Thank you Hannah. We are glad you liked the video.

[@justadjustor8993]

I've been deep diving around the internet and this was the first source of information I've found that truly laid it all out bare; in an unbiased and comprehensive, easy-to-understand way. Thank you SO much.

[@ryanjones9305]

I see a few comments about soldering GF. It’s tricky. If you dwell on the joint you’ll draw the copper to the surface and you’ll see it in the solder joint. After many many many tries, we just weren’t happy with the results. We switched to laser welding and it has completely changed how our shop operates. That laser welder was the best investment we could’ve made. Not cheap, but if you’re serious about your business, it’s the way to go. Figure out a way to equip your shop with one and you won’t be sorry. We still do a lot of soldering, just not on GF. You can also get GF bezel cups and we’ve had great success welding those thin cups to ring shanks (mostly), but for earrings and pendants as well. It works well for welding the GF to silver too.

[@rippy4freedom]

Very interesting thank you

[@pameladudrow247]

Thanks. You offered a lot of info that was missed in the video. Can I assume same issues apply to silver filled metals (ie: soldering)? 3:56

[@ryanjones9305]

@@pameladudrow247 I have no experience with silver filled, but I would suspect that to also be the case. I would also expect there to be some discoloration with laser welding of silver filled if the base is brass or some other copper alloy. Is there any particular reason you want to use silver filled metal?

[@bambie7376]

I solder gold fill all the time, it takes a light hand and a small, acute flame, and a LOT of practice...but I see why you wouldn't want to bother with it. As a small Etsy seller / artist with not much money for investing in expensive equipment, I'm happy that I was able to get proficient in it bc for me GF sells better than silver. Maybe someday I will be able to try your method. Thanks for sharing 😊❤

[@juliegeorge8533]

Thanks from a new subscriber. I am curious about the finishing lacqeur that you mentioned and I would be so grateful if you could advise me on that please? Thanks in advance.

[@khessful]

Thank you! Great information

[@7777LORENZO]

That was what I was looking for and you did a great job . Thank you never understood it before . ❤

[@RioGrande1944]

Excellent! We are glad you found this video helpful.

[@KayceJones]

Always helpful ❤

[@freyjabrigid]

Thank you. Please share a video with tips on soldering GF. It’s been soooo tricky (I’m a silversmith).

[@RioGrande1944]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@barbaracovey]

I used the material that was meant for soldering on 14KGF, and it was awful and looked ugly. So currently when I solder gold filled I use silver solder. It looks great and seeing a little bit of silver on the gold isn’t really noticeable and it wears well. Doesn’t matter whether use hard silver solder medium silver solder or easy silver solder.

[@bambie7376]

Huh I've never had a problem, maybe it was just the particular brand you used. I use 14kg solder chips and yield a perfect match.

[@cdl6953]

Interesting… thank you for this video. Can please talk about working with gold filled next time and show examples of gold filled jewellery

[@RioGrande1944]

Thank you for the recommendation.

[@sandmaker]

Good onformation. Thanks!

[@Mason_Metal]

I was expecting tips on working with the product: soldering, pickling, fabrication, forging, USING it. Thank you for an intro.

[@markflores9055]

Thank you

[@shicadelic]

Ty

[@keepingupwiththetrustys5632]

Can I resize a gold fill ring from 8 to a 5????

[@barbaracovey]

I saw a KZbinr use 9 karat gold solder to solder her gold filled materials. Me I like to use sterling silver medium solder to solder my gold filled.

[@paullemay3218]

Can you roll through a mill or draw through a draw plate?🇨🇦❤️ .

[@kc7136]

This is really good stuff. thank you Phillip. I have one question though. The casing of an Eglin pocket watch has a hallmark 14K Gold-Filled but does not show the total weight of the base metal. Should I assume that the karat purity of white gold is 5%? thanks

[@RioGrande1944]

The "14/20" or "12/20" notation refers to the industry shorthand describing the resulting material. The first number is the karat purity of the gold used; the second number is the amount, by weight, of gold to the substrate material. "14/20" gold-filled material is made with 14-karat gold, and the gold represents 1/20th (or 5%) of the total weight of the material. You may occasionally see other notations, too; each will inform you about the material's make-up. This is from our article “Guide to Working with Gold-Filled Metals & Findings”.

[@rippy4freedom]

Can you go over special considerations for soldering techniques and products required for GF wire and sheet, thank u in advance.

[@RioGrande1944]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@kathysteffler4505]

no answer???

[@lauraporcher3313]

Thank you for the video! Which finishing lacquer are you using here to protect the exposed ends from oxidising please? Thank you :)

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Laura, thank you for the question. Here is an answer from John in our tech team: the best thing to do would be to plate the ends, you can use a pen plater for that www.riogrande.com/product/midas-two-pen-pen-plating-system/335137GP/?code=335137, I would recommend a nickel preplate www.riogrande.com/product/midas-nickel-pre-plating-solution-acid-based/335169GP/?code=335169 followed by gold www.riogrande.com/product/midas-14k-yellow-gold-gold-pen-plating-solution-cyanide-based/335321GP/?code=335321. This would provide the longest lasting protection, although platin will wear off quicker than the gold filled layer will. A cheaper option would be a lacquer but it will not last very long at all with wear.

[@lauraporcher3313]

@@RioGrande1944 thank you for your answer!

[@DanielaCho-bf8sy]

Hi, do you have any videos for soldering gf materials? I find that the copper always comes to surface

[@bambie7376]

Use a torch where the flame can be adjusted to be VERY acute and light. Do not over heat, you need to be very light handed and pay close attention. Dont solder it like it's silver, as in don't heat the whole piece only focus on the solder joint. It takes practice but as a small Etsy seller being able to make 14kgf jewelry helps a lot it's my main money maker

[@danieldambrosio50]

I have a necklace marked 1/20 12k goldfilled but it's slightly magnetic and has white metal underneath. Is it still considered goldfilled? Thanks!

[@RioGrande1944]

Thank you for the question: According to the FTC, in order to refer to a metal as gold filled it must have a layer of karat gold bonded to a core metal, and the karat gold must be at least 1/20th the total weight of the metal. Different metals can be used as the core metal and still be called gold filled if the other requirements are met. Here’s more information from the FTC regarding gold filled: www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/trade-regulations-rules-and-industry-guides/guides-jewelry-precious-metals-and

[@danieldambrosio50]

@@RioGrande1944 tysm! I really appreciate your quick and informative response. I'm definitely subbing. I look forward to watching more of your vids!

[@robertryanmason1209]

Can you have gold plated jewelry gold filled ?

[@duocmat5192]

👍👍👍♥️

[@yeghoblacksmith2504]

i still prefer gold plating even though it does not stay on any silver material etc but cheaper

[@lindabanning140]

Yes, but gold plate will wear off very quickly - on a ring, it will be only a matter of weeks. Gold fill will wear almost like solid gold with a bit of care. I have been working with it for 5 years and I have happy customers. My own GF (old) jewelry still looks great.

[@zoltantamasveress9911]

soo a ring cannot be gold filled?

[@Heterandria4mosa]

Almost nothing was covered here. What about soldering? Are there limitations when it comes to forming? What temperature should you anneal at? In the words of Tim McCreight, do better next time.

[@johnsmith-ti9yz]

Literally shut up

[@citylife2038]

Y’all don’t sell to regular people tho!!!!! That’s an actual issue. Some of us want to test products or see if ya a hobby or not

[@RioGrande1944]

Hello. Thank you for reaching out. We support customers in the jewelry trade. Here is more info on setting up an account: www.riogrande.com/qualify-for-wholesale/

[@citylife2038]

@@RioGrande1944 I’ve already talked to you guys about it. I just need one test gold sheet . I just want to see if I want to actually set up a business before putting so much money into it

[@flyingcheff]

Yes, indeed, next to (as in right next to...) nothing was covered here. Who are you gaslighting (answer: beginner makers)? And why are you holding out on a comprehensive informational video on one of your MOST misunderstood, sold, and used products? Gold-filled metals should come with a warning about the actual truths and the myths ( myth: Gold-filled is a good alternative to karat gold). C'mon Rio, don't make me be the whistle blower!!!