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Question
Hello,
I purchased a lot of earrings at auction and they are listed as 14k E/R gold. Can you tell me what the E/R means?
Thank you
Regards
Hello Debra,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
The "E/R" stands for electroplated/rolled gold. That differs from gold filled in that plating is actually a micro-thin layer deposited on a base metal ( usually brass). Not many use the E/R designation though- generally it is expressed 14 kt.E, or no designation as the layer is 1/1000th of an inch thick and will rub off with exposure to household chemicals and daily wear.I think that designation is intended to make one think it is gold filled, when in fact it is plated.
Gold Filled products are expressed as 14/20 GF, or 12/20 GF indicating the gold is 20 % pure gold bonded to a base metal and referred to as filled gold. Gold d'ore is another term used to indicate the metal has a bonded layer of solid gold. In the case of 14 kt. plated gold the gold is bonded by electrolysis to the under layer of , in general , silver.Gold vermeil is 24kt, or as low as 22 kt over a fine silver base.It is much thicker that electroplated gold, but not as thick as gold filled jewelry.
I hope this answers it for you.
Best Regards, Ari
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Answers by Expert:
Dr. Ari Roark
Expertise
Metalsmithing, Goldsmithing,Jewelry Making, Gemology,Metallurgy,Art Jewelry,Jewelry Appraising,Metal Mill Work,Jewelry Education,Group Projects Adaptable to Special Populations as well as ordinary groups,Ethnobotany,Metal Clays, International Jewellery Law,Trade Law,Rock hounding,Industrial Health and Safety Assessment and Education as it pertains to Jewelry Studios (of all sizes and manufacturing concerns relative to the Trade, Jewellery Trade Organisations,Objective US Jewelry School critical Analysis,Applied Anthropology,goldssmithing,lapidary,metals,refining
Experience
More than 35 years experience in the Jewelry Industry, Juris doctorates, PhD's in Anthropology, Cultural History, Cultural Geography, Mining Locations Assessments, Industrial Health and Safety Inspector to the Jewelry Industry, Montessori Educator, Occupational Therapy, Natural Historian, Scholar of Jewelry Evolution, PhD in Creativity ( the analysis of the divergent genres of thought on the process and impetus of the essence of creativity as a state of being expressed tangibly),Extensive Fieldwork with populations of Traditional craftsmen worldwide, former Peace Corps volunteer, Former VISTA volunteer, Etc.
Organizations
too numerous to list
Publications
prefer not to answer for reasons related to plagiarism
Education/Credentials
PhD Anthropology( Applied(1), Cultural(2)Ethnobotany(1),PhD -Physics (Metallurgy 1)( Wave and Particle Dynamics 1),,JD,MD,MFA-Metals/Jewelry,,MFA-Printmaking, MFA-Sculpture, Extensive undergraduate degrees, extensive post doctoral work, Montessori Educator Certification (Primary and Secondary)..many, many Degrees, Grants, and Awards in my past as an Academic turned Jeweler, OSHA Certifications
Awards and Honors
too numerous to list including 3 Honorary Doctorates, Two Humanitarian Related Awards, and Service on Many Boards of Directors
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