Federal Trade Commission standards on 18k gold filled jewelry.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates the use of the term “gold-filled” to prevent deception in the jewelry industry. For a product to be labeled as “gold-filled” in the U.S., it must meet specific criteria, which include a minimum gold content and a mechanical bonding process. 

Gold-filled standards

While “14K gold-filled” is common, “18K gold-filled” is rarer and often a misleading label. The FTC guidelines define “gold-filled” as follows: 

• Minimum gold content: The item must contain a layer of gold alloy that constitutes at least 5% (or 1/20th) of the item’s total weight.
• Minimum karat fineness: The outer layer of gold must be at least ten karats pure.
• Mechanical application: The gold layer must be permanently bonded to the base metal using a mechanical process involving intense heat and pressure, not electroplating.
• Clear disclosure: The karat of the gold and the term “gold-filled” or its abbreviation, “GF,” must be clearly and conspicuously marked. For example, a common marking is “1/20 14K GF”. 

“18K gold-filled” is often misleading.

Products labeled as “18K gold-filled” should be viewed with caution because they often do not meet the U.S. regulatory standards for the term. Common misleading interpretations include: 

• 18K gold-plated: The item has an extremely thin layer of 18K gold that is electroplated, not mechanically bonded. This layer is much thinner than the FTC’s 5% gold-filled standard and will wear off more quickly.
• 14K gold-filled with an 18K flash plating: The jewelry is genuinely 14K gold-filled but has a microscopic flash plating of 18K gold on the surface to give it a warmer color. This flash plating does not alter the underlying durability or gold content of the product.
• Lower-quality imports: Some items marketed as “18K gold-filled,” such as “Brazilian gold-filled” are made using a similar mechanical process but contain a lower percentage of gold by weight (e.g., 1/30th or 3%).
• The FTC’s definition of “gold-filled” does not cover these products in the same way as traditional 14K gold-filled items. 

Distinguishing real from fake

To ensure you are buying genuine gold-filled jewelry that meets FTC standards, look for the following:

• Check the stamp: Legitimate gold-filled jewelry will be stamped with the fraction of gold content and the karat fineness, such as “1/20 14K GF”.
• Avoid unregulated terms: Be wary of jewelry that uses terms like “gold overlay” or “rolled gold plate” unless they also disclose the precise fraction of gold weight. These terms can sometimes be used for items with lower gold content than the “gold-filled” standard. 

To be marked with a “GF” stamp, the metal must have a layer of gold that is at least 10-karat and 1/20 (5%) of the item’s total weight. All of Dove N Sparrow’s gold-filled products have a 14- or 12-karat gold layer and meet the federal quality standards established by the Federal Trade Commission

How to Maintain Fine Jewelry

• Keep away from moisture.
• Remove when active.
• Remove while sleeping.
• Store in a closed bag or box.
• Avoid direct contact with perfume or beauty products.
• Clean and polish with a soft cloth.