Gold and all its variations for findings
 

OK, I've read the discussions on the links from Sooz's pages, and I've
looked till my eyes are sore, so I guess I can now ask here.

I've read definitions of gold filled, gold plated and vermeil, but what I
can't figure out is which would be the best to use for making jewelry. I'm
a silver sort of person myself, but on occasion if someone wants something
with gold in it, I want to be sure that I'm using the right thing. So bear
with me he

Vermeil is silver plated with gold. First choice for materials?
Gold filled is a sheet of gold bonded to another metal, no telling what the
metal is sometimes. Second best?
Gold plate is gold over brass usually, so least desireable of the three.

I would normally use only beads and crimps and possibly clasps. I have
found some nice Bali vermeil which looks like the best thing for making good
jewelry, but what is acceptable/desireable for things such as crimps? Is a
gold filled crimp sturdy enough to use, the gold is bonded securely and will
still look like gold when I'm done?

Thanks for any thoughts. I know, I'm a pest but at least I'm your pest. I
really want to just be sure when we start doing things that require AD in
the heading to putting the right stuff together.

-Su

Vermeil is silver plated with gold. First choice for materials?
Gold filled is a sheet of gold bonded to another metal, no telling what the
metal is sometimes. Second best?
Gold plate is gold over brass usually, so least desireable of the three.

Gold filled doesn't wear through to the base material as fast as the others.
They do wear off. So gold filled is the best, IMO. However, it's hard to find
it in pretty pieces, as it's machine-made.
~~
Sooz
To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. ~~Joseph Chilton
Pearce

In article , Su/Cutworks
writes
OK, I've read the discussions on the links from Sooz's pages, and I've
looked till my eyes are sore, so I guess I can now ask here.

I've read definitions of gold filled, gold plated and vermeil, but what I
can't figure out is which would be the best to use for making jewelry. I'm
a silver sort of person myself, but on occasion if someone wants something
with gold in it, I want to be sure that I'm using the right thing. So bear
with me he

Vermeil is silver plated with gold. First choice for materials?
Gold filled is a sheet of gold bonded to another metal, no telling what the
metal is sometimes. Second best?
Gold plate is gold over brass usually, so least desireable of the three.

I would normally use only beads and crimps and possibly clasps. I have
found some nice Bali vermeil which looks like the best thing for making good
jewelry, but what is acceptable/desireable for things such as crimps? Is a
gold filled crimp sturdy enough to use, the gold is bonded securely and will
still look like gold when I'm done?

Thanks for any thoughts. I know, I'm a pest but at least I'm your pest. I
really want to just be sure when we start doing things that require AD in
the heading to putting the right stuff together.

-Su


Personally I go for Gold filled cos as far as I know the plating is
thicker and so doesnt wear off so quickly and the choice of beads and
clasps made in it are greater. I never use gold plated.

I do have some vermeil beads though just cos they were nice and I liked
them.
:-)

--
ally
website: www.alcom.demon.co.uk

Kathy N-V wrote:

Second: Gold Filled. It's gold mechanically bonded to a base metal
and is hundreds or thousands of times thicker than the gold in "gold
plated" stuff. The gold will not wear off in the normal course of
things, and should last a lifetime. Because the gold is mechanically
layered onto the base metal, it cannot be cast, so it comes in a
lousy variety as well.

Third: Vermeil. It's the same as gold plated stuff, but it's silver
instead of base metal underneath. The gold will wear off, and
relatively quickly. Comes in a wide variety of styles, though, and
if it's used in a place where it isn't rubbed, like spacers between
larger beads, it'll be all right.

Thanks. I was not sure about these two, so was wavering between which to
use on a regular basis. Your explanation was not only useful but succinct,
and exactly what I needed. As always this group is the place where I feel I
can get help if needed.

So, now I'm off to order gold filled findings for something special I am
working on.

Did I mention you're a star? It's true.

-Su

Sooz wrote:

Gold filled doesn't wear through to the base material as fast as the
others.
They do wear off. So gold filled is the best, IMO. However, it's hard to
find
it in pretty pieces, as it's machine-made.

Thanks for the info. I really only want it for things like findings as I
plan to do the beady bits myself. I have these really nice beads that won't
go with silver, you see, and so I now have to educate myself about gold and
its joys. I figure I owe it to the beads as well as the person wearing them
to use the best stuff I can find.

-Su

In article , "Su/Cutworks"
writes:

Vermeil is silver plated with gold. First choice for materials?
Gold filled is a sheet of gold bonded to another metal, no telling what the
metal is sometimes. Second best?
Gold plate is gold over brass usually, so least desireable of the three.

Actually, "first choice" would be solid gold/gold alloy... IF you can justify
the expense.

If economy is necessary: Vermeil is "first choice" if you need "all precious
metal", but the gold layer is usually thinner than gold-filled. If that
bead/finding is going to get a lot of wear, you will probably end up with a
silver bead with gold accents. However, I've used vermeil earwires that have
lasted the recipients several years, and are "still gold". If the bead/spacer
is protected-- say by a larger bead to each side-- there shouldn't be a
problem. The "Bali vermeil", and other Hong kong processed vermeil tends to be
a brighter, more yellow gold than the US made-- maybe too bright for some
things. The "Bali vermeil" dealer I've bought most of mine from has 22K,
"double dipped" plating on hers.

Gold fill is usually the thickest coating, usually on brass, and is rolled
(physically bonded) to the metal, not plated on electrically. Usually either
14K or 10K is used for the gold layer(s), so the "goldness" is softer than most
vermeil.

Gold plate is great for "costume jewelry"-- something for a one or two time use
for "fun" stuff, but otherwise, I'd say get gold-colored pewter or anodised
aluminum or niobium.
Kaytee
"Simplexities" on
www.eclecticbeadery.com

Have you got a place in UK for them Su.

I use International for mine and I do not have to have a big order
either.
Shirley





In message , Su/Cutworks
writes
Kathy N-V wrote:

Second: Gold Filled. It's gold mechanically bonded to a base metal
and is hundreds or thousands of times thicker than the gold in "gold
plated" stuff. The gold will not wear off in the normal course of
things, and should last a lifetime. Because the gold is mechanically
layered onto the base metal, it cannot be cast, so it comes in a
lousy variety as well.

Third: Vermeil. It's the same as gold plated stuff, but it's silver
instead of base metal underneath. The gold will wear off, and
relatively quickly. Comes in a wide variety of styles, though, and
if it's used in a place where it isn't rubbed, like spacers between
larger beads, it'll be all right.

Thanks. I was not sure about these two, so was wavering between which to
use on a regular basis. Your explanation was not only useful but succinct,
and exactly what I needed. As always this group is the place where I feel I
can get help if needed.

So, now I'm off to order gold filled findings for something special I am
working on.

Did I mention you're a star? It's true.

-Su



--
Shirley Shone

Thank you KATHY! Part of Bead Notes now. Will be updated very soon....it's in
my file, but will go to beadershaven, beadersheaven, and Kandice's website
asap.

First choice: Solid Gold. Very pricey, but lovely. Comes in a
lousy variety of styles.

Second: Gold Filled. It's gold mechanically bonded to a base metal
and is hundreds or thousands of times thicker than the gold in "gold
plated" stuff. The gold will not wear off in the normal course of
things, and should last a lifetime. Because the gold is mechanically
layered onto the base metal, it cannot be cast, so it comes in a
lousy variety as well.

Third: Vermeil. It's the same as gold plated stuff, but it's silver
instead of base metal underneath. The gold will wear off, and
relatively quickly. Comes in a wide variety of styles, though, and
if it's used in a place where it isn't rubbed, like spacers between
larger beads, it'll be all right.

Fourth: Gold Plated. Extremely thin layer of gold over base metal
findings. The gold will wear off, and the base metal will be smelly
or turn your skin green or both. Comes in a lot of styles, but wears
so quickly that it's not worth your time.

Last: Gold plated plastic. Doesn't wear quickly, considering.
Doesn't come in findings, only beads. Beads are often rather
detailed and come in ethnic or children's styles. Beads are very
lightweight for their size, and are usually pretty darned cheap. Okay
for kids crafts or when weight is a crucial issue.

Kathy N-V


~~
Sooz
To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. ~~Joseph Chilton
Pearce

a-hem..we have the bead notes in OB, too:)

"Dr. Sooz" wrote in message
...
Thank you KATHY! Part of Bead Notes now. Will be updated very
soon....it's in
my file, but will go to beadershaven, beadersheaven, and Kandice's website
asap.

First choice: Solid Gold. Very pricey, but lovely. Comes in a
lousy variety of styles.

Second: Gold Filled. It's gold mechanically bonded to a base metal
and is hundreds or thousands of times thicker than the gold in "gold
plated" stuff. The gold will not wear off in the normal course of
things, and should last a lifetime. Because the gold is mechanically
layered onto the base metal, it cannot be cast, so it comes in a
lousy variety as well.

Third: Vermeil. It's the same as gold plated stuff, but it's silver
instead of base metal underneath. The gold will wear off, and
relatively quickly. Comes in a wide variety of styles, though, and
if it's used in a place where it isn't rubbed, like spacers between
larger beads, it'll be all right.

Fourth: Gold Plated. Extremely thin layer of gold over base metal
findings. The gold will wear off, and the base metal will be smelly
or turn your skin green or both. Comes in a lot of styles, but wears
so quickly that it's not worth your time.

Last: Gold plated plastic. Doesn't wear quickly, considering.
Doesn't come in findings, only beads. Beads are often rather
detailed and come in ethnic or children's styles. Beads are very
lightweight for their size, and are usually pretty darned cheap. Okay
for kids crafts or when weight is a crucial issue.

Kathy N-V


~~
Sooz
To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. ~~Joseph
Chilton
Pearce

Shirley wrote:

Have you got a place in UK for them Su.

I use International for mine and I do not have to have a big order
either.

Not as yet, I'm still doing the research.

Bring your notebook on Saturday!

Oh, and any preferences/restrictions on things to go with tea?

-Su