What is gold clad?

Answer by  Darkephoenix (1789)

Gold clad usually means there is a very thin layer of gold covering another metal. It's generally silver but can sometimes be copper or nickel in commercial grade jewelry and such. In some advertisements, etc it's often called gold gilt as well. Not very valuable as a general rule though.

Answer by  Liz59 (10966)

Gold clad is simply when gold is bonded to another metal. It is very similar to other types of plating such as gold plating.

Answer by  AEF (519)

Gold clad means that the item has only a thin layer of gold on the outside. Gold can be made very, very thin (referred to as "gold leaf") and as such, the actual value of gold in a gold clad item can be very small.

Answer by  John (9008)

When something is "gold clad," that means that it is coated in a layer of gold on the surface. Underneath the gold will be some other, much less expensive metal. Gold clad items are much, much less valuable than real gold. The layer of gold can be microscopic, and can even rub off.

Answer by  Gus26 (15)

Gold clad is similar to gold plated. Gold is adhered to another metal. Gold clad items are therefor not 100% gold. The gold clad Presidential dollar coin you may have read about is not worth the price for which they are being sold if you are looking at the gold value in relationship to price.