How gold-filled value is calculated
Gold-filled is not solid gold — it's a thick layer of karat gold mechanically bonded to a base-metal core. The marking tells you both the ratio and the karat:
- 1/20 14K GF — the gold layer is 1/20 (5%) of total weight, at 14K purity.
- 1/20 12K GF — 5% by weight, 12K layer.
- 1/10 10K GF — 10% by weight, 10K layer.
The formula is: total weight × gold-filled ratio × karat purity × spot price × payout %. Set the ratio above, then the karat selector handles purity.
Gold-filled vs. plated vs. solid
| Type | Gold content | Resale value |
|---|---|---|
| Solid gold | Whole item is karat gold | High |
| Gold-filled | ~5–10% by weight, bonded layer | Low but real |
| Gold-plated | Microns of gold | Negligible |
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
Is gold-filled jewelry worth money?
It has a low but real metal value. The gold layer is typically only 5% to 10% of total weight, so recovery is small — but it is far more than gold-plated items.
What does 1/20 14K GF mean?
The gold layer is 1/20 (5%) of the item's total weight, at 14K purity. Set the ratio to 1/20 and the karat to 14K in the calculator.
What's the difference between gold-filled and gold-plated?
Gold-filled has a thick, mechanically bonded karat-gold layer (5–10% by weight). Gold-plated has only microns of gold and negligible resale value.