24 KT GOLD OVERLAY CHAIN OR JEWELRY

Our Gold-Overlay chain or jewelry is produced by applying an average of 40 mils (1 micron thick - 40/1,000,000 inch) of 24kt gold onto the surface of high quality brass based chains, charms or components utilizing an advanced acid gold Electro-Depositing process. Unlike basic decorative (cyanide) gold electroplated costume jewelry, Gold Overlay jewelry may be worn all the time. Gold-Overlay has wearing qualities that are far more durable and resistant to abrasion than basic decorative gold electroplated jewelry. It has on average 7-10 times the thickness of most costume jewelry. Our Gold-Overlay jewelry is manufactured to produce the finest alternative to solid 14kt jewelry.

People who have problems wearing electroplated jewelry can usually wear 40 mil gold overlay jewelry. It is rare that anyone who wears a 40 mil chain has the resulting skin irritations that one is allergic encounters with basic costume jewelry. This jewelry can be worn 24 hours a day, in the shower and while swimming, just like the fine 14kt jewelry.

GOLD-FILLED CHAINS, HOOKS, AND OTHER FINDINGS

Gold-Filled chains generally have a thin layer of gold (usually 5% by weight) bonded onto the outside of a brass based core using heat and pressure. These chains wear very well but do not have the look and feel of 14kt gold chains since they cannot be diamond cut or cast like 14kt gold jewelry. Diamond cutting would remove a part of the 14kt gold that is bonded onto the brass based alloy. Gold-Filled cannot be cast as the melting of the gold-filled material would mix the outside layer of gold with the alloy that it is bonded onto resulting in a very low gold content casting. Gold-Filled wire and findings are very durable.

GOLD-ELECTROPLATED CHAINS, HOOKS, AND OTHER FINDINGS

Most decorative gold-electroplated chains have a finish (application of gold) that is on average 7-10 mils or less in thickness. This type of finish is referred to as gold plated jewelry and normally has a reputation of not lasting long. Manufacturers of these types of chains often rely on putting a coating onto their chains to extend the wearing life of the product. People who are allergic to nickel are not able to wear these chains without a coating. When the coating wears off, the chain has limited wearing qualities.

VERMEIL

A product that is made from a base of sterling silver that is coated or plated on its surfaces with gold of at least 10k finess and at least 100 mils (2.5 microns thick - 100/1,000,000 inch). Our Vermeil is 24kt gold.