Updated November 9, 2026

What does GP mean on jewelry?

GP means gold plated: a thin layer of gold over another metal such as brass, copper or steel. Under the US FTC Jewelry Guides, electroplated gold plate must be at least 10K and 0.175 microns thick. It is not solid gold.

Stamps that mean the same thing

GP, G.P., 18K GP, 14K GP, 24K gold plated, GEP (gold electroplate)

Where you will see it

Fashion and costume jewelry, often as 18K GP, 14K GP or 24K gold plated.

Real or plated?

GP 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 plate?

Gold = surface area × plating thickness × 19.32 grams per cubic centimeter

At the 0.175 micron minimum (0.0000175 cm), a plain ring with about 4 square centimeters of surface holds 4 × 0.0000175 × 19.32 = 0.0014 grams of gold, worth about $0.18.

Thinner coatings, sold as gold wash or gold flash, hold even less. A solid 14K ring of 5 grams holds about $381.39 of gold.

Source: FTC Jewelry Guides, 16 CFR 23.3.

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What does 18K GP mean?

18K GP means plated with 18K gold. Under the FTC guides, electroplated gold plate must be at least 10K and 0.175 microns thick. The item is not solid 18K gold.

Is gold plated jewelry worth anything?

Very little as metal: a plain plated ring holds well under a dollar of gold. Designer, signed or vintage costume jewelry can still sell well for its design.

How can I tell gold plated from solid gold?

Read the letters after the karat number, look for a different color on worn edges, and try a magnet on the body. A jeweler can confirm it with an acid test or an XRF analyzer.