What is rolled gold?
Rolled gold is made the same basic way as gold filled: a layer of karat gold is bonded to a base-metal core with heat and pressure, then rolled out to the thickness needed. The gold is a solid bonded layer, not a plated coating — which is why good rolled gold pieces have survived decades of wear.
The term is most common on Australian, British and European jewellery, while American makers more often used “gold filled”. In practice, rolled gold layers are frequently thinner than gold filled, and the thickness often isn’t stated on the piece.
Common rolled gold marks
- RG, R.G. or “Rolled Gold” — bonded construction, layer thickness usually not stated. It’s measured on assessment.
- 9ct RG or “9ct Rolled Gold” — the layer is 9 carat gold (37.5% pure), common on British and Australian lockets and bangles. The karat is stated, but not the thickness.
- RGP or “Rolled Gold Plate” — usually a thinner bonded layer than gold filled. Often shown with a fraction such as 1/40 12K RGP, meaning the layer is 1/40 of the metal weight.
- “Rolled gold front” or “back and front” — common on lockets, where only one or both faces carry the rolled gold layer.
Rolled gold vs gold filled
| Gold filled | Rolled gold | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Bonded karat gold layer | Bonded karat gold layer |
| Typical layer | At least 1/20 of the weight | Often thinner; frequently not stated |
| Common marks | 1/20 12K GF, 1/10 10K GF | RG, 9ct RG, 1/40 12K RGP |
| Where it’s from | Mostly American makers | Mostly British, Australian, European |
Is rolled gold worth selling?
Yes — rolled gold contains a real layer of karat gold, and we buy it. Because the layer is often thinner or unstated, it’s best valued in quantity and assessed piece by piece rather than guessed from weight. If the mark includes a fraction, you can estimate the gold in our gold filled calculator; if it only says RG, send us a photo and we’ll help.
Where to find the mark
On lockets, check the bail and inside the rim. On bangles, look inside near the hinge or clasp. On watch cases, open the back and check the inside of the lid. See our hallmark guide for photos of where marks usually appear.