What is 9999 gold clad?

9999 gold clad refers to a layer of gold that is applied to a base metal, typically through a process like electroplating, ensuring that the gold content is 99.99% pure, also known as "four nines" gold. This means that the gold layer is highly pure, but the underlying metal is not gold. While the outer appearance may resemble solid gold, the value is significantly lower due to the presence of the base metal. It is often used in jewelry, coins, and decorative items.