Pure gold is 24kt, but is so soft that is it impossible to use in wire wrapped jewelry. 14/20 wire or 1/20 wire is created from a sheet of 14 kt Gold, bonding it through extreme heat and pressure to a core of semi-precious metal (usually brass). This is a very sophisticated process and only a few mills in the world manufacture it. PLEASE DO NOT mistake this process for GOLD PLATING. There is a very big difference. The end result is a 14kt tube which is strong, durable, and resistant to tarnish because of its 14 kt. gold covering. There are many collections of old gold-filled wire jewelry pieces dating from the 1800’s to the early 1900's that are still in existence and in excellent shape! This process was used much more in the 30's and 40's to make watch bands, cameo settings, and most everything else that was made of gold. Today, there are very few jewelry items made with this metal commercially due to it's labor intensive workmanship.
A 14/20 Gold Filled piece is generally considered a lifetime piece of jewelry.
Sterling Silver wire (.925) is the same as Sterling Silver item -- however, all Sterling Silver naturally tarnishes, but can be easily cleaned with any type of silver cleaning cloth or silver cleaner.
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