a gold ring on blue and green fabric — What do the abbreviations on gold colored jewelry mean?

Letters On Gold-Tone Jewelry: What Do The Abbreviations Mean?

The next time you’re cleaning out your jewelry box, looking to cash in on the price of gold, you may come across a piece of gold-tone jewelry that’s stamped with a curious abbreviation, such as “RG” or “GF.” Oftentimes, customers will ask us about gold jewelry they’ve seen advertised online with confusing descriptions, like “solid 18k HGE gold ring.” What do those letters mean?

The letters on gold-colored, or gold-tone jewelry are used to describe jewelry that is gold plated or colored in such a way as to have the appearance of gold. It’s important to note that jewelry bearing these stamps or descriptions are not gold jewelry. Being able to differentiate a gold-tone or gold-plated piece from actual gold can save you money, time and hassle.

Here’s a list of types of gold-tone or gold plated jewelry

RG – Rolled Gold describes a thin coating of 12k or 14k gold applied to a base metal. The gold color is more durable and longer lasting than other processes of creating gold-colored jewelry.
GF – Gold Filled is another name for Rolled Gold.
Gold Overlay – This is also another name for Rolled Gold or Gold Filled, describe a process of applying gold to a base metal.
GP – Gold Plating uses a technique of spraying a coating of gold onto the base metal. Gold plated jewelry loses its gold color over time.
HGE – Heavy Gold Electroplating uses a chemical process to apply a heavy gold layer to a base metal surface.
HGP – Heavier Gold Plating uses the same means as electroplating to apply an even thicker layer to a base metal.
Layered Gold – This also describes gold plating.
Gold Bonded – This term can describe gold plating or rolled gold, but indicates that the piece is not solid gold.
Vermeil – Vermeil is gilded silver or bronze, meaning that gold is applied to either of these metals to enhance or change the final color.

As always, if you’re having difficulties identifying or authenticating your gold jewelry items, the staff at Best Collateral is always on hand and eager to lend their expertise for you. The process only takes a few minutes!