Below listed jewerly is finished with gold findings. Most applied is gold filled: a budget friendly alternative for solid gold. Gold filled is a US standard. A part must consist of at least 5% gold with a purity of 14 carat or more. The gold is forged on a copper sheet or wire which is then used to create a finding. The result is a strong durable item. Plating is the proces of electroplating where a finished shape (any material) is covered with a thin layer of gold with a maximum of 3 micron thickness. Vermeil is also an official standard of gold electroplating of at least 3 micron on a (sterling) silver base.