Buying Gold-filled Findings for Creative, Resilient Jewelry Pieces

Findings are required material for creating many types of jewelry pieces. In the past, many jewelers used solid gold findings, but since the price of gold has gotten much higher over the past few years, gold-filled findings have been a blessing to jewelry-makers. Gold-filled findings are inexpensive relative to solid gold findings, but have the same classic, elegant look as gold, so they have become increasingly popular among today’s jewelry designers.

Whether they are used for making fine jewelry and accessories or less-expensive beaded pieces, 14K gold filled findings are durable and attractive. Made from a thin outer layer of 14K gold pressure-bonded onto an alloy base (typically brass), gold-filled findings are tarnish resistant because the gold will not wear off over time. The jewelry industry requires that the quantity of gold must be at least 1/20th by weight of the total finding and that the karat measurement of the gold be marked on the piece. This means that gold-filled findings contain much more gold than gold-plated findings, so they are also far more valuable and can be used in keepsake and heirloom jewelry pieces. Gold-filled findings are not difficult to work with, so they can be used by beginning, intermediate, and advanced jewelry designers. In fact, gold-filled findings are usually easier for less-experienced jewelry designers to use, because they are not as soft as solid gold findings, which can be damaged by jewelry-making tools. 

Gold-filled jewelry findings are available in many varieties, allowing jewelry-makers to create unique pieces of jewelry; studying the wide range of findings can also inspire new designs. Types of gold-filled jewelry-making components include spring rings, split rings, jump rings, earring wire, cable thimbles, bead end-caps, bead tips, crimp beads, lobster clasps, bails, toggle, leverback, eye pins, and head pins.

Tips on purchasing gold-filled findings:

•Use a reputable jewelry supplier that has been in business for a number of years

•Buy from a wholesaler to earn a price cut; ask about other available discounts, such as a frequent-buyer discount

•Choose a supplier that offers a wide variety of findings and updates their product line regularly so you can take advantage of all discounts by being a loyal customer to one company

•Be sure the findings are designated “gold-filled,” not “gold-plated” and conforms to strict quality standards

•Make sure the supplier marks the karat measurement on their gold-filled findings