What does gf 18k mean on bracelets?

Answer 1

It depends on where and how it is used. Usually gf means gold filled.

It is an older term for a heavy gold plating. In that gold can have a thin or a heavy layer when it is plated. GF was suppose to mean a heavy layer.

Now gold plating if properly disclosed is appropriate. The seller or manufacturer is telling the buyer that the item has a little bit of gold, on the outside and the rest of the item is not gold.

In this way you get the beauty of gold without the expense. It is usually a cheaper or fashion piece that would be designed to be worn for a shorter period than an all-gold piece. The funny thing about that is there are OLD OLD pocket watches that were sold with a 5 or 20 year life that are still going strong 100+ years later