Hollow Gold Jewelry

There is a type of gold and silver jewelry that is named for the innovative process by which it is made. It is called Electroform jewelry, and it is quite common.

Electroform gold jewelry is not plated. It is different from plated jewelry in that, rather than having a base metal (non-precious metal) center, it is hollow. It is important to know the difference between gold electroplate and gold filled or gold plated jewelry since these terms are sometimes confused.

Without getting too technical, the electroforming process consists of using a chemical-electric process called electrolysis to transfer gold or silver ions from a bar form (source) onto an electrode (receiver) that is in the shape of what the finished jewelry product will be.

When the desired thickness of the gold or silver “shell” is achieved, it is removed from the electrode, and after some finishing work, it is a hollow version of the jewelry product.

This method is used to produce both gold and silver jewelry, and the products are made in a range of purities according to the specifications of the producer.

Electroform jewelry will be hallmarked in the same manner as solid jewelry of the same purity, since they contain only the karat or percentage specified.

As you search through jewelry, do not dismiss an item that otherwise has the qualities of gold or silver, but seems way too light in weight to be the real McCoy.

This very lightness of weight is a primary clue that you should examine it more closely for a hallmark, or that you should test it. You might have treasure in your hand.