Each piece is made from scratch by hand from lightweight 14k gold filled wire and Japanese glass beads. What is "14k gold fill"? A much higher-quality option than gold plated and a more affordable alternative to solid gold, 14k gold fill has a layer of gold up to 100 times thicker than traditional gold plating over a nickel-free core. Although there's no bulletproof option out there for everyone, It's one of the best choices for people with sensitive skin as it is one of the least likely to irritate.