*As the Abril Heirlooms business continues to grow, our goal is to sell solid gold and fine silver jewelry but, as of now we are a small business just getting started so most of our jewelry is gold plated/filled, stainless steel, and 92.5% sterling silver. THERE IS NO ZINC OR NICKEL IN OUR PRODUCTS.*
Gold-Plating Process
To gold plate something, it’s dipped into a solution that contains gold (or a gold-colored alloy) and is zapped with electric current. An electrochemical reaction occurs that deposits a thin layer of gold onto the base metal.
Gold Filling Process
With gold-filled jewelry, the process involves mechanically bonding the gold to the core through extreme pressure and heat. It results in a more resilient exterior that’s not prone to flaking or cracking.
How Sterling Silver Is Made
It is a mixture of 92.5% silver and 7.5% another metal - typically copper. The addition of copper hardens soft silver so it can be both thin and durable.