About Gold-filled

All our gold jewelry is made with a layer of gold that is 100x thicker than the gold layer of gold-plated jewelry.

This material is also known as 14k gold filled.

All our gold filled metal comes from suppliers who are members of the Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC). It is the world’s leading sustainability standard setting organisation for the jewellery industry.

Why Gold filled is better for you.

Gold-filled jewelry is still relatively unknown in Europe. Yet it is the perfect alternative to unattainable solid gold and low-quality, environmentally hazardous gold-plated jewelry.

If you're looking for long-lasting, beautiful pieces that don't turn your skin green or flake off, gold-filled is the way to go.

The layer of 14-karat gold used in gold-filled jewelry is 100 times thicker than that of gold-plated pieces, giving it the same radiant glow as solid gold. This means you can enjoy the elegance of solid gold jewelry at a much more accessible price point.

Plus, if you have sensitive skin or ears, you’ll love gold-filled jewelry! Its thick layer of gold is hypoallergenic, making it safe and comfortable to wear without irritation. No need to worry about allergies or reactions—the thick layer of gold ensures it is gentle on even the most sensitive skin.

With gold-filled, you're getting luxury and durability, all at an affordable price.

For tips on maintaining your gold-filled jewelry and what you can expect from your Rays & Riches jewelry, be sure to read our in depth-guide. 

Why Gold Filled Jewelry is Better for the Planet

Gold-filled jewelry is not just good for you; it's also better for the planet.

The process of creating gold-filled pieces is much more sustainable compared to gold-plating.

Instead of using harmful chemicals, gold-filled jewelry is made using a mechanical process that bonds the gold to the base metal (brass) using heat and pressure.

This method eliminates the need for toxic chemicals that are used in gold plating, making gold-filled jewelry a greener, more eco-friendly choice.

By choosing gold-filled jewelry, you’re breaking free from the wasteful cycle of fast fashion and supporting a more sustainable future. Investing in Rays & Riches jewelry means reducing waste and lessening the environmental impact that comes with disposable trends, all while contributing to a circular economy.

You can feel good knowing your purchase supports fair and ethically sourced gold, and is crafted with care for both people and the planet.

Gold Filled Jewelry Explained

Gold-filled jewelry is unique, and it's important to understand how it differs from other types of gold jewelry like gold-plated or vermeil.

By law, the gold must make up at least 5% of the total weight of the piece. 

In contrast, gold-plated jewelry typically has a very thin layer of gold—sometimes as thin as 0.25 microns—applied to the surface. Imagine splitting one millimeter into thousand slices, that is how thin one micron is (split that again into 4 parts and you get 0.25microns). This thin layer often fades or chips away quickly, revealing the base metal beneath. 

With gold-filled jewelry, you get over 100 times more gold than gold-plated pieces, which means it lasts much longer. It is made by bonding a thick layer of 14-karat gold to a brass core through intense heat and pressure -not chemicals. This process ensures that the gold is securely fused to the base metal, so it won’t peel, flake, or wear off easily.

The thicker gold layer also ensures that the color of the base metal won’t shine through, giving you a rich, consistent gold glow.

Gold-filled jewelry is a great choice for those who want the beauty of gold without the high cost or the environmental harm of less durable options.

Whether for everyday wear or special occasions, gold-filled pieces are built to last and made with both you and the planet in mind.

Learn about how to take care of your jewelry here.  

Designed & Handmade in Italy

 We make our jewelry for modern women like you, who live consciously and seek jewelry that reflects their unique style.

Designed and made in Italy, each piece draws inspiration from the beauty of nature and the power of love.

Our designs celebrate the interconnectedness of life, the sacredness of nature and the beauty of being human.

Our values guide every step of our process, because we understand that true beauty can never be created at the expense of people or the environment.

Handmade with devotion, our jewelry may bear imperfections, but it's these very imperfections that breathe life and character into each piece, making it as unique and exceptional as the women who wear it.

Sustainable Metals, Gemstones & Pearls

At Rays & Riches, we're on a mission to create stunning and profoundly sustainable jewelry, rooted in our respect for all life and a profound understanding of its interconnectedness.

Our gemstones, sourced ethically from repurposed jewelry, embody this commitment. By reusing existing gems, we contribute to a circular economy, reducing carbon emissions and sidestepping the negative impacts of conventional gemstone mining.

Emphasizing our commitment, even our pearls are repurposed, as conventionally farmed pearls significantly fall short of being truly sustainable.

Our dedication extends to the precious metals. We use ethically sourced gold-filled metals, which are made without the use of chemicals, last much longer than gold plated metals and can be recycled infinitely, moving away from fast fashion and contributing to a circular economy instead.

With every piece we create, we aim to showcase the beauty of sustainable jewelry, a reflection of our love for the Earth and our belief in the importance of ethical, responsible practices.

A Short Overview

•  Because gold-filled jewelry has a much thicker layer of gold than gold-plated jewelry, it can last for years, potentially decades, depending on how you wear and care for it.

• 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.

• Like on any other material, scratches will show. Fine scratches make surfaces look dull. Deep scratches may reach the base layer and darken, especially with rings or delicate pieces. However, due to the bonding process, the gold won’t flake off like it does with gold-plated jewelry.

• Gold filled jewelry is waterproof and the gold won't flake off when exposed to water.

• Tarnishing can occur with continued exposure to moisture, but with regular care and cleaning, you can minimize this and maintain your jewelry’s shine.

While I 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.

For a more in-depth explanation about what to expect from gold filled jewelry, you can continue reading here.

14k Gold-fill - Waterproof And Safe For Sensitive Skin

Care for your Rays & Riches jewelry

Best practices to keep your jewelry looking new for longer.

-Your new jewelry should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place.

-Always make sure your jewelry is clean and dry before putting it away.

-Store your silver and gold-filled jewelry separate from each other and away from jewelry made from cheaper metals, to avoid the metals reacting with each other.

-Regularly use a soft cloth to wipe away dirt, sweat, chemicals etc.

- Avoid exposing your jewelry to skin care products, soaps, detergents and perfumes.  

- Remove your jewelry before doing high impact physical exercise and before entering salt or chlorinated water.

-To deep-clean your jewelry let it soak in a bowl with warm water and a few drops of mild dish-soap. Check wether eventual gemstones are waterproof and make sure to rinse it off afterwards and dry it thoroughly . 

Gold fill is highly resistant to tarnish but still benefits from regular cleaning and polishing.

Removing tarnish is quick and easy with the anti-tarnish-polishing cloth that comes with every order over 50€ or you can get it here.

What is tarnishing? Read more about it here  

A note on gemstones.

Most gemstones in our collection are waterproof and safe to clean with diluted, mild dishwashing soap, although plain water is usually sufficient. An exception are porous or soft gemstones like coral, turquoise and amber.
We recommend to regularly wipe your gemstones clean with a soft cloth and only use water&soap when absolutely necessary and never with soft & porous gemstones. 

Pearls and Coral should only be wiped with a moist soft cloth.

Find your ring size here.