Daily Wire Tip: What Does 14/20 Gold Filled Mean?
Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
Question:
Hi Dale- I have a question about 14/20 gold filled wire. I know the 14 is 14 karat, but what does the 20 stand for? Thank you.
-Deborah in Wenden, Arizona
Answer:
Great question Deborah, thanks! By law (FTC Link), when a product is marked with the fraction 14/20, it means that the item must contain 1/20 of 14 karat gold with relation to the brass fill/core (5%). With relation, if a product is named or stamped 12/20, it is made of 1/20 of 12 karat gold. The purity of gold karat is determined by the amount of pure gold in a product, as described in detail in the article Carat (Purity).
Although a lower quality of gold filled may be less expensive, the color is why I personally make my choice. 14/20 has a more rich, gold color, while a lower value such as 12/20 is more yellow or brassy. Customers seem to like the fact that 14/20 gold-filled jewelry "matches" and wears like their 14k pieces, and love that it is more affordable!
As far as silver wire, our sterling silver filled wire is labeled as 1/10. That means it has a layer of .925 sterling silver wire around its brass core, and the sterling silver makes up 10% of the total wire. (Some companies only carry 1/20 (5%) sterling silver filled wire – we’re proud to bring you the most sterling silver for your wire jewelry!)
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
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14kt gold, 14ktgf, gf, gold fill, gold filled, gold filled wire
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Fantastic question! It helps to be educated when selling jewelry. On a side note, when someone asks what 14 Gold fill means, what is the very best way to answer this question?
Hi Cathy, to read the simple comparison that I personally use when describing ‘gold-filled’ to a customer (or my students) please see the discussion ‘What’s Gold Filled Wire?’
i find that when i begin explaining ‘gold filled’ some people will cut me off and say “oh, it’s plated”. i am quick to let them know that my gold filled jewellery is a lifetime piece and will not lose the gold like a plated item will. i will make an analogy along the lines of gold filled wire being like a ‘twizzler’ candy. The licorice is the 14k gold, and the hollow centre is another jeweller’s metal. This is a great contrast to plating which is the equivalent of a layer of paint on a pencil. If people have a comparison like this, it helps them visualize the value of gold filled over gold plating.
My best overall advice would be to always be honest with your customers, and try to explain it in terms they will understand if they are not familiar with the jeweller’s world. They will appreciate it very much, and you’ll find they keep coming back
Mmm, I love Twizzlers – great simile Jake, thanks!