Of the products we supply, the majority are manufactured in our Melbourne based factory with Australian metals. We source Australian gold and silver for all in house manufactured items, with a lot of this being recycled or refined metal. We also have our own refinery where we melt all our off cuts, scrap, and customers scrap gold trade ins, to reuse and recycle into new items. This includes our whole range of bangles, and 95% of our chains, plus a range of clasps, findings etc which are all made in Melbourne.
We have a range of imported products, where we always ensure we select the highest quality to match our high Australian standards. We aim to use suppliers who are members of the Responsible Jewellery Council where possible, and only use companies who directly manufacture their own items with responsible labour & sourcing.
Australian Made Items
Bangles
Our full range of bangles are 100% manufactured in our Melbourne based factory, all made to order.
We can produce them in solid gold, solid sterling silver, hollow gold, hollow sterling silver, or 9ct gold silver filled.
Available in any colour, any size.
Some limitations may apply.
Handmade Chains
Our chains are available in any length at all, and get made to your custom order specifications.
We can finish our chains with a variety of clasps, such as Padlock, Parrot, Boltring, Swivels etc.
As we can produce any colour or metal variation, we make every item to order.
Available in solid gold, hollow gold, solid sterling silver, or 9ct gold silver filled.
A large variety of styles are available to order, up to 20mm wide.
Some limitations may apply.
Casting Chains
These items are a bit fancier than the standard chains, and use a more complex manufacturing process.
Our chains are available in any length at all, and get made to your custom order specifications.
We can finish our chains with a variety of clasps, such as Padlock, Parrot, Boltring, Swivels etc.
As we can produce any colour or metal variation, we make every item to order.
These items are available in solid gold or solid sterling silver only.
A large variety of styles are available to order, up to 20mm wide.
Machine Made Fine Chains
We have a large range of machinery, with the ability to produce a vast range of fine chains in various sizes.
All of our chains we aim to keep the most popular lengths in stock, and ensure we keep extra on a spool, and cut these off the roll for custom lengths or chain only requirements.
Our chains are available in any length at all, and get made to your custom order specifications.
We can finish our chains with a variety of clasps, such as Parrot, Boltring, Swivels, Padlock etc.
A large variety of styles are available to order, from 1mm and upwards.
Our chains are manufactured locally, with a small range selected from very specific high quality Italian manufacturers.
Rubber & Gold / Steel & Gold
Our Rubber & Gold or Stainless Steel & Gold items are a classic part of our range, and can be made in any length or colour you need.
These have been part of our collection since the early days and are a constant seller.
Clasps & Findings
A variety of styles of clasps are available.
We manufacture our padlocks, most of our boltrings, and a range of our findings.
The items that we manufacture are available in a variety of colours or metals.
Imported Items
9ct Earrings
Since 2010, we have introduced a range of earrings, and have now built a strong relationship with top suppliers in Europe.
We have a core range of hoops, huggies, drops, and so much more.
Paying close attention to fashion trends, our range is constantly evolving to ensure you're always stocking the latest styles.
9ct Pendants
We've established a small core range of 9ct pendants, in plain and cubic zirconia set.
Based on best sellers, and always evolving with fashion trends.
We stock initials, zodiacs, and more.
Fancy Fine Chains
There are some things we just don't have the machinery to make, so we have a delicate range of fancy bracelets and necklaces which are great price points.
This range is always evolving with trends, however there are a few amongst the range which are constant best sellers, and will stay part of the core range.
Machine Made Fine Chains
Like our fancy fine chains, there are also some machine made fine chains that we just don't have the tools for.
Based on demand, we import some fancy styles to ensure we've got a broad range available.
Although they are imported, we still stock these in finished lengths or on the spool, to give you flexibility to choose the colour or length you desire.
Clasps & Findings
A variety of styles of clasps are available.
We import our parrot clasps, our mini boltrings, and some of our larger boltrings.
Some other findings are also available.
Manufacturing Processes
9ct Silver Filled
Over 20 years ago, Golden Mile were looking for a way to make hollow jewellery more durable, without the price of solid gold, and this is where we came up with our 9ct Silver Filled manufacturing processes.
We designed machinery to give us the best manufacturing processes available to us, which made us leaders in producing our 9ct Silver Filled jewellery, and for a very long time, the only ones in Australia (or maybe even the world), to be making it. Over time, manufacturers caught on to the idea, and started to mimic our products, but to a different standard to the strict ones we adhere ourselves to.
How is our 9ct Silver Filled jewellery different to what else is on the market?
Our production process uses a hollow gold tube, which is then inserted with a solid sterling silver core. This is then heat bonded together. This is then drawn down to size, and bent into shape based on the product that you order. The final product does not have a 'sleeve' over the join, as we produce a seamless, high polish finish.
When we make our Silver Filled products, we work to have the same gold thickness as the hollow equivalent that we produce (which is also a thicker layer - see more details below).
For example, a 4mm golf bangle in hollow that we make, is virtually the same gold content and same price as a 4mm golf bangle in 9ct Silver Filled. We don't compromise on quality.
Our standard gold thickness is 0.30 - 0.35mm thick on our Silver Filled.
The average product made in other countries has a gold layer of anywhere between 0.001 - 0.03mm thick, which is less than 1/10th of what we produce at Golden Mile. This is then generally layered over a hollow silver tube, which has an average combined total thickness of gold and silver at 0.3mm thick.
The term 1/10th or 1/20th gold over silver is used a lot for imported products, however this can be misleading, as the actual quantity of gold is quite minimal in comparison.
We understand that the imported variations of 'filled' or 'bonded' products have turned people off filled jewellery, but please know that we stand by our product 100%.
To offer peace of mind to you and to your end consumer:
We offer a 10 year warranty on all silver filled bangles, and a 5 year warranty on all silver filled chains.
Hollow Jewellery
Over 25 years ago, Golden Mile started producing hollow gold jewellery. We ordered state of the art machinery from Italy to help us make a quality of hollow jewellery that was not yet seen on the Australian market.
With our machines, we refined and refined until we got the process right.
We make sure our gold thickness on our tubing is durable enough to withstand everyday wear, and doesn't have the 'tinny' feel that some hollow jewellery may have. Our standard gold thickness is 0.30 - 0.35mm thick, and approx 0.45mm thick on our silver tube.
Our production process uses a hollow gold tube, which is then drawn down to size, and bent into shape based on the product that you order. The final product is a high polish finish.
Our hollow bangles are fully sealed, all the way around.
Our hollow chains are made with a slight, but hidden opening, to help us during manufacturing, and assists in providing the 'chunky' feel.
Solid Jewellery
Solid gold jewellery is our bread and butter. Our business started in manufacturing quality solid jewellery, and over the years we have built up other aspects of our business around this.
We always use Australian gold and silver suppliers who source their metal from Australian mines. All the metals that we use in our alloys are sourced locally, and alloyed in house with meticulous notes and records. We alloy our gold in different karats and colours, then allocate these to the product styles that we require.
Solid jewellery is our favourite to work with, as we can draw down to any size, width, style and melt and remelt as needed.
Any design you see in hollow or silver filled is available to be made in solid gold.
FAQ's
DO YOU MAKE FILLED JEWELLERY?
Yes, we manufacture silver filled 9ct gold jewellery which is highly durable, water resistant and lasts many, many years, and with excellent care, even a lifetime. There are several different variations on filled jewellery including gold plated, gold vermeil and gold filled. Whilst the price point is lower and more affordable on plated and vermeil, you are paying for a lower quality product, the next step up is gold filled jewellery, which is longer lasting, then the top level is Golden Mile's 9ct Silver Filled jewellery. The type of product comes down to the complex manufacturing process. To explain it further, here’s a quick breakdown of them:
- Gold Plated: Minute layer (less than 1 micron) of gold over silver, brass, nickel or a zinc-based alloy, cheapest to manufacture and cannot be worn in water. Manufactured through painted or dipped electroplating and will last one week to six months before starting to tarnish.
- Gold Vermeil: Slightly thicker layer (0.5 micron to 3 micron) of gold over silver depending on the piece, more hypoallergenic than plated alloys, slightly more expensive to manufacture due to higher cost of base metal and cannot be worn in water. Manufactured through painted or dipped electroplating and will last up to six months before starting to tarnish, depending on the thickness of the layer of gold.
- Other Gold Filled/Rolled Gold: Gold layer must be a minimum of 3 microns thick, over silver or brass, to be considered 'filled'. It is an expensive process to manufacture but withstands regular wear and tear and can be worn in water. It is manufactured through a heat and pressure bonding process which essentially melts/fuses the gold onto the core. Good quality gold filled jewellery will last you years.
- Our 9ct Gold, Silver Filled: Golden Mile’s manufacturing process of Filled jewellery is quite unique compared to other kinds on the market. We use a 0.30 – 0.35mm thick layer of gold tube, (which is equivalent to 300+ microns), over a solid core of sterling silver. This is as durable as solid jewellery, or, as a comparison, is the same gold thickness as a hollow item, just more durable. As gold is an expensive metal to work with, this process also means that our filled jewellery is quite a bit more expensive than filled or vermeil items that a lot of fashion jewellery brands use.
We get a lot of queries on 14k filled products, however we do NOT sell gold filled findings, wire, etc. and do not manufacture our products in 14K.
HOW THICK IS YOUR LAYER OF GOLD ON YOUR SILVER FILLED?
HAVE YOU EVER CHANGED THE WAY YOU MAKE THESE?
All Golden Mile silver filled gold jewellery has a 0.30 – 0.35mm layer of gold outer which is the thickest on the market. It is also stamped with a “filled” stamp so you can reassure your customer it is 9ct gold silver filled, not plated posing as filled.
Golden Mile has been manufacturing silver filled gold jewellery for over 20 years, and over this time to have found ways to improve our methods for even longer lasting jewellery, without compromising the quality or thickness of the gold layer.
Our 9ct gold silver filled jewellery has never been plated, and is the highest quality filled item on the market.
DOES YOUR GOLD WEAR OFF YOUR SILVER FILLED?
The thick layer of gold outer and our heat and pressure bonding manufacturing process means Golden Mile’s silver filled 9ct gold jewellery does not start to wear for many years after purchase, if ever. Just like all jewellery, if it is worn daily, in the shower, exposed to chemicals, like those in moisturisers, perfume, chlorine, or cleaning products, or goes through excessive wear and tear, then it will start to wear faster than if it is well cared for. To offer peace of mind to you and your consumer we offer a 10 year warranty on all silver filled bangles, and a 5 year warranty on all silver filled chains.
DO YOU SELL TO THE PUBLIC?
No, Golden Mile supplies exclusively to fine gold jewellery retail stores and manufacturers. If approached by an end consumer we are happy to refer them to a store we supply to in their local area. We are quite strict on who we provide wholesale access to.
DO YOU DO CUSTOM DESIGNS?
Generally Golden Mile only manufactures and supplies our range of products to fine gold jewellery stores and manufacturers. We are unable to manufacture your custom designs such as pendants, earrings, etc, as this is a service we are not currently set up for. The customisation that we are able to do is to the extent of modifying our products to certain dimensions, width, length, thickness etc.
I AM LOOKING AT STARTING A BUSINESS, WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM ME?
As we have multiple people contacting us each day about their new jewellery business, we have to ensure we are not providing access to just any person who applies. We currently only provide instant website access to established fine gold jewellery stores and manufacturers. If you are starting a new business, before we grant access, we need to know further information about your company such as what sort of jewellery you will be selling, expected quantity of products required, what market you will be targeting, if you have a considered price point and quality of jewellery as well as if you will be online or in a store. Once we have discussed these points with you we can determine if we are able to assist.
I HAVE PLACED MY ORDER ONLINE, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Once your order has been placed you will receive an automated email confirming your order, with the current turnaround times and your shipping address. If you have not received this email, or you think you have made an error, please contact us to confirm that your order has in fact gone through.
If you are a new customer, or hold a prepaid account, please note that items will be manufactured before you receive an invoice. Once the items are picked and/or manufactured, you will receive an email with a copy of your invoice. Please keep an eye out for this, as sometime it goes to junk mail. On this email, you will then have the option to pay for your invoice via the link, or alternatively you can pay via bank transfer or call us to make payment by credit card.
HOW LONG WILL MY ORDER TAKE?
When you place your order online, you will receive a confirmation with the approximate wait times for each product type.
In stock items are ready within 48-72 hours, and hand made items can take anywhere from 1-4 weeks, depending on the time of year and our current workload.
CAN I CANCEL OR CHANGE MY ORDER ONCE I'VE PLACED IT?
Once your order has been submitted it gets processed and put into production into various departments within our factory, therefore it cannot be cancelled. If you need to add something or change specific information of the product please contact us ASAP via phone or email to see if we are able to amend or not.