What to expect from your Rays & Riches jewelry: An in-depth guide

We want you to feel informed and confident when purchasing gold-filled jewelry from us and that you know what to expect.

Scroll down for a quick summary.

Gold-filled jewelry is a great alternative to solid gold because it has the look and feel of real gold but at a much more affordable price.

It is designed to last longer than gold-plated jewelry, but it’s important to remember that it is not solid gold. It won’t last forever, but it can last many years, even decades, with proper care. That said, gold-filled pieces are not immune to wear and tear.

What is Gold-Filled Jewelry?

Gold-filled jewelry has a thick layer of real gold, which is always at least 5% of the total weight of the piece. This layer is bonded to a base metal, usually brass, using heat and pressure. Think of it like a zipper— the gold molecules bond tightly to the base metal. This is different from gold-plated jewelry, where the gold is simply applied to the surface with chemicals, making it more like a thin layer of glue that can wear off much faster.

The layer of gold in gold-filled jewelry is much thicker than in gold-plated pieces, so you can expect your jewelry to last much longer and hold up better over time.

You can read more about gold filled here.

 

Durability Depends On Thickness

How thick the layer of gold is depends on the total weight of the component used.

This means that thicker components of the jewelry, like larger beads or thicker wire, contain more gold. This makes these pieces more durable over time.

That’s also why bold designs like our bold spiral rings or our chunky ear cuffs tend to cost more—they contain more gold and are built to last longer.

On the other hand, more delicate parts—like thin chains, small beads, or fine wire—have a thinner layer of gold because their total weight is lighter and the gold layer is always 5% of the total weight.

This means delicate pieces have less gold to protect them, so they may require extra care and may not last as long as thicker, more solid pieces.

 

Still have questions? Keep reading for more details.

 

Scratches

Scratches are inevitable, especially for rings and bracelets that come into frequent contact with surfaces.

Fine scratches can dull the shine, but sometimes dullness is just due to oils or dirt building up. The good news is that regular cleaning and polishing can keep it shiny.

Even though gold-filled jewelry has a thick layer of gold, deeper scratches can reach the base metal (which is brass). Over time, the brass may darken and dirt can settle into these scratches, making them more noticeable.

 

Will the Gold Flake Off?

One of the great things about gold-filled jewelry is that the gold won’t flake off. It will not flake off from exposure to water or from daily wear.

This is because the gold is bonded to the base metal using heat and pressure, making the two layers fuse together like a zipper.

In contrast, gold-plated jewelry is prone to flaking because the gold is merely adhered to the surface using chemicals.

However, if you wear a very delicate piece for many years and it’s exposed to a lot of wear (rings that get a lot of contact), the gold could eventually wear down in certain areas. This typically happens slowly and is much less likely than with gold-plated jewelry because of the thickness and bonding process of gold-filled materials.

 

Is Gold-Filled Jewelry Waterproof?

Gold-filled jewelry is indeed waterproof, meaning the gold layer will not peel or flake off when it gets wet. However, while the gold itself is protected, water and moisture can cause the jewelry to look darker over time due to tarnishing. This happens even with solid gold pieces exposed to moisture for long periods.

To minimize tarnishing and extend the lifespan of your gold-filled jewelry, it's important to avoid wearing it in pools, the ocean, or while exercising, as sweat, salt, and chemicals can contribute to tarnishing. Additionally, be cautious with lotions, perfumes, and oils, as they can dull the gold over time.

Keep your jewelry dry and clean by regularly wiping it down with a soft cloth to remove oils, dirt, and moisture. While gold-filled jewelry, like solid gold, may darken slightly over time, it typically does not turn black like gold-plated jewelry. The darkening is similar to how solid 14k gold slightly darkens, developing a slight warm tone rather than a drastic color change.

If your jewelry does darken, you can polish it to restore its shine. The layer of gold in gold-filled pieces is usually thick enough to handle polishing without wearing away too quickly. However, handle delicate pieces with care to avoid over-polishing. Regular maintenance will help keep your gold-filled jewelry looking its best.

 

If your gold-filled jewelry ever exhibits unexpected behavior, such as sudden discoloration, tarnishing, or unusual wear, please don't hesitate to contact us. Even though we use the highest quality materials from the best suppliers, manufacturing issues can occasionally arise. We're here to help you resolve any problems and ensure your satisfaction with your purchase.

 

So How Long Will Gold-Filled Jewelry Last?

 

While I’m still relatively new to working with gold-filled materials and can’t make any guarantees about how long each piece will last, I can share from my own experience that gold-filled jewelry can hold up beautifully with the right care. I invite you to check out some of my content on social media, where I compare rings I've worn for over a year with how they looked when new. You’ll see that even with regular wear, gold-filled pieces can maintain their shine and appearance for quite a long time.

Because gold-filled jewelry has a much thicker layer of gold than gold-plated jewelry, it can last a long time—potentially years, even decades.

That said, remember that how long your jewelry lasts will also depend on how you take care of it. 

 

Summary:

• Gold-filled jewelry looks and feels like solid gold, but it is not solid gold.
• The gold layer is 5% of the total weight, so thicker parts of the jewelry have more gold and tend to be more durable than delicate pieces.
• Scratches can happen and may expose the base layer over time, especially with rings or delicate pieces. However, the gold won’t flake off due to the bonding process, unlike gold-plated jewelry.
• Tarnishing can occur with exposure to moisture, but with regular care and cleaning, you can minimize this and maintain your jewelry’s shine.
• Gold-filled jewelry can last for years, potentially decades, depending on how you wear and care for it.

By understanding these factors, you’ll know exactly what to expect from your gold-filled jewelry and be able to make a purchase that you’ll feel confident and happy with for years to come!