GOLD FILL BREAKDOWN
GOLD, GOLD FILLED, VERMEIL, AND GOLD PLATED
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SOLID GOLD: 100% GOLD (14K, 18k, 24k, etc.)
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GOLD FILLED: real gold permanently bonded to a base metal, usually brass or sterling silver. (5 microns of gold)
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VERMEIL: a layer of gold plating via a firing process over sterling silver. (2.5 microns of gold)
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GOLD PLATED: a thin layer of gold plate over a base metal, usually brass, copper, etc. (.5-1 microns of gold)