Gold vs. Solid Gold

[Judybug]

I understand that - when a pen is described as having a gold plated nib - the nib has a layer of gold over some other metal. But I've noticed on various websites that some pens are said to have a "gold" nib and others are described as "solid gold." For example, one particular website describes the Waterman Charleston as having an "18K gold nib," while the Waterman Edson is described as having an "18K solid gold nib." Does this mean the Charleston nib is gold plated and not solid?

 

Judybug

[BobR]

I think the "solid" is somewhat redundant. If it's not specified as "plated" or "filled", it's presumably solid gold, or in this case, solid 18K gold.

[*david*]

People who say "solid" are emphasizing that it isn't plated, that's all. As long as everybody is telling the truth, then gold and solid gold are the same thing.

[kissing]

I understand the disparity between Gold nibs and Gold-plated nibs....but the term "Gold-filled" nibs confuse me.

 

Can someone explain it for me?

Thanks

[*david*]

Gold-filled means there is a layer of gold on top of another metal - but it is done by a different process than plating is. It is (I hear) frequently better and more durable than gold plate, but not necessarily.

[born t]

I admit that I have never seen a gold-filled nib before, only gold-filled trims.

 

Do gold-filled nibs exist? I would expect this technique to be unsuitable for nibs due to its possible lack of integrity.

[marklavar]

I admit that I have never seen a gold-filled nib before, only gold-filled trims. 

 

Do gold-filled nibs exist?  I would expect this technique to be unsuitable for nibs due to its possible lack of integrity.

Oh dear - this is getting to be a rather ridiculous thread! <_<

 

Gold filled is just gold plating done by another process - instead of electrolysis, which is the most common modern way of plating, an actual thin layer of pure gold is physically bonded to the base metal. This makes the gold more durable and less prone to scratching. I don't think there are any gold filled nibs, simply because it's not worth the trouble, you may as well go for a solid gold nib. But some pens, like the Cross Townsend 18k gold, have gold filled caps and barrels.

Edited December 14, 2006 by marklavar

[Richard]

Gold filled is just gold plating done by another process - instead of electrolysis, which is the most common modern way of plating, an actual thin layer of pure gold is physically bonded to the base metal.

I'm sorry, but this is not right. Here is my glossary's entry for "gold filled":

gold filled -- (abbreviated GF; also rolled gold) Made of a metal "sandwich" consisting of a layer of gold alloy pressure-welded over a thicker layer of base metal (usually brass). Gold-filled objects are sometimes marked to indicate their gold content. A marking of 1/10 14K on an object indicates that the layer of 14K gold contributes 1/10 of the weight of the object; thus, since 14K gold is 585/1000 gold by weight, the actual amount of gold in the object is 5.85% of the object’s weight. High-quality vintage pens frequently have gold-filled clips, bands, and other trim parts; today, virtually all parts consisting of gold over a base metal are electroplated. See also plated, vermeil.

I know of no gold-filled nibs, but also germane to this question is the term WARRANTED:

WARRANTED -- A mark included in the imprint on nibs made by anonymous makers; indicates that the nib’s gold content is warranted to be as described, usually 14K. Used to combat fraudulent marking of plated steel or brass nibs in such a fashion that the term 14KT or 14KT GOLD was visible while the word PLATED or PLATE was concealed within the section See also 14K, karat, nib.

Edited December 14, 2006 by Richard

[RLTodd]

FWIW, I can recall when Cross advertisements showed a drawing illustrating the layering of the gold on the base metal of their gold filled Classic line of ball point pens.

[marklavar]

Gold filled is just gold plating done by another process - instead of electrolysis, which is the most common modern way of plating, an actual thin layer of pure gold is physically bonded to the base metal.

I'm sorry, but this is not right. Here is my glossary's entry for "gold filled":

gold filled -- (abbreviated GF; also rolled gold) Made of a metal "sandwich" consisting of a layer of gold alloy pressure-welded over a thicker layer of base metal (usually brass). Gold-filled objects are sometimes marked to indicate their gold content. A marking of <span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>1/10 14K

on an object indicates that the layer of 14K gold contributes 1/10 of the weight of the object; thus, since 14K gold is 585/1000 gold by weight, the actual amount of gold in the object is 5.85% of the object’s weight. High-quality vintage pens frequently have gold-filled clips, bands, and other trim parts; today, virtually all parts consisting of gold over a base metal are electroplated. See also plated, vermeil.</span>

I know of no gold-filled nibs, but also germane to this question is the term WARRANTED:

<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>WARRANTED

-- A mark included in the imprint on nibs made by anonymous makers; indicates that the nib’s gold content is warranted to be as described, usually 14K. Used to combat fraudulent marking of plated steel or brass nibs in such a fashion that the term 14KT or 14KT GOLD was visible while the word PLATED or PLATE was concealed within the section See also 14K, karat, nib.</span>

Hey, don't nitpick! I am right - because the gold is bonded to the base metal, but you have correctly added that the gold actually forms part of the overall content of the object.

[rpajares]

thus, since 14K gold is 585/1000 gold by weight, the actual amount of gold in the object is 5.85% of the object’s weight.

Hmmm, perhaps instead of 5.85% you mean 58.5% (585/1000 --> 58.5/100), but perhaps I am missing something here...

[Rique]

The gold content in the alloy used for filling is 58,5%, but since in 1/10 gold-filled trim only 1/10 of the weight is gold, the total weight of the gold in the filling is 5,85%.

[Richard]

Hey, don't nitpick!  I am right - because the gold is bonded to the base metal...

My nit wasn't with the method but with your statement that the bonded layer is pure gold. It isn't. Electroplating is frequently done with pure (24K) gold, but gold-filled objects invariably use an alloy of moderate karatage.

 

Nits 'R' Us

[rpajares]

Now I see it. I've totally overlooked the 1/10 part. Sorry.

[Green Maned Lion]

Definitions of gold types from a former apprentice jeweller:

 

Solid xK gold: An alloy of gold (unless its 24k) consisting of a percentage of the element gold equal to x divided by 24.

 

gold plating: generally refers to a technique called electroplating, where electricity is used to bond a usually high content or pure content of gold over a base metal, which can be steel, usually between 5 and 20 microns thick.

 

Gold Filled: sometimes used to mean thick gold plating, but it technically and properly refers to a technique of using incrdible preassure and heat to roll a thin sheet of gold, usually of a relatively low content, onto both sides of a basic metal, thus sandwhiching it. It is typically more durable than gold plating. It also does not work well with steel. Most gold filled or Rolled Gold Plated (RGP) objects have brass as their core material. Making a nib out of this material would be idiotic and I can't imagine anyone doing it.

 

"Gold tone": any yellowish metal used for the purpose of imitating gold.

 

"Gold": An extraordinarily ambigous term these days that can mean any of the above. It should refer to solid gold but often doesn't.

 

*edit: I left out a word

Edited December 14, 2006 by Green Maned Lion

[sonia_simone]

Richard, I find your "nit picking" to be very helpful, I'm glad you're around to look so carefully at the details.

[Judybug]

THANKS for all this helpful information - "nits" and all!

 

Judybug

[Johnny Appleseed]

Used to combat fraudulent marking of plated steel or brass nibs in such a fashion that the term 14KT or 14KT GOLD was visible while the word PLATED or PLATE was concealed within the section See also 14K, karat, nib.

 

And just to keep one step ahead of those trying to combat fraud, there are nibs that say "Warranted 14K Gold Plate". I think I have also seen plated nibs that say "Warranted Iridium Tipped" or some such, and other claims that warrant everything but the gold content of the nib.

 

John