Updated November 9, 2026

What does GF mean on jewelry?

GF means gold filled: a layer of karat gold bonded to a base metal such as brass. Under the US FTC Jewelry Guides the layer must be at least 10K and at least 1/20 of the total weight of the metal. It is not solid gold.

Stamps that mean the same thing

GF, G.F., Gold Filled, 1/20 14K GF, 1/20 12K GF, 14K GF, 12K GF, 1/10 10K GF

Where you will see it

Vintage chains, lockets, bracelets and watch cases, and much handmade jewelry made today.

Real or plated?

GF means a layer of gold over another metal, even when a karat number such as 14K sits beside it. Here is how it compares with solid gold and the other layers, shown for 14K:

Stamp	What it means	Gold, 5 g ring
`14K`	Solid 14K gold all the way through	2.92 g $381.39
`1/20 14K GF`	Gold filled: a bonded layer of at least 10K gold, at least 1/20 of the total weight	0.15 g $19.07
`1/40 14K RGP`	Rolled gold plate: a bonded layer, at least 1/40 of the total weight	0.07 g $9.53
`14K HGE`	Heavy gold electroplate: at least 2.5 microns of gold	about $2.52
`14K GEP` `14K GP`	Gold electroplate or gold plate: at least 0.175 microns of gold	about $0.18

Pure gold content at today's $130.39 a gram. Plated rows assume a plain ring with about 4 square centimeters of surface at the FTC minimum thickness (16 CFR 23.3).

Read every letter after the karat number: GF, GP, GEP, HGE and RGP all mean a layer.
Look at edges and the underside of rings, where wear shows a different color through the gold.
Try a strong magnet on the body. Many plated items have a steel or nickel base. Brass and copper are not magnetic, so a magnet that does not pull proves nothing.

How much gold is in gold filled?

Gold = weight in grams × layer fraction × karat purity

10 grams marked 1/20 14K GF: 10 × 0.05 × 0.585 = 0.29 grams of pure gold, worth $38.14 at today's $130.39 a gram.

10 grams of solid 14K holds $762.78 of gold. Refiners and gold buyers pay only part of the gold filled figure, because separating the layer costs money.

Source: FTC Jewelry Guides, 16 CFR 23.3.

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Other jewelry stamps

Is gold filled real gold?

It has a real gold layer of at least 10K, making up at least 1/20 of the weight, over a base metal. It is not solid gold and is worth far less than solid gold of the same weight.

Is 1/20 14K GF worth anything?

As metal, 10 grams holds about 0.29 grams of pure gold, about $38.14 at spot before refining costs. Signed or vintage gold filled jewelry can sell for more for its design.

Does gold filled wear off?

The layer is much thicker than plating, so it usually lasts years of wear, but it can wear through where it rubs most.