Determining the purity level of gold

A carat is a unit of measurement denoted by the letter K, and describes the degree of purity of a gold alloy. Every piece of gold jewelry is marked in carat units, where according to this index, pure gold is 24 carat gold, and every gold alloy has 24 carat units. When you buy gold that has 24 carats, it means that the mixture is made of 100% pure gold and not fake. According to this information, it can be said that the value of gold is determined in relation to its purity, meaning that the purer the gold, the higher the value of the jewelry will be. When purchasing gold, it is important to always look for the quality mark on the jewelry you buy. There is a law that all jewelry made of gold must be engraved with the percentage of the carat of the piece, so you can be sure that you are buying real gold and not fake .

So, why is it so rare to find 24-karat gold jewelry, that is, jewelry made of pure gold? First and foremost, it is very expensive jewelry, but on the other hand, pure gold is a very soft metal and not at all convenient for shaping and forging. .

Gold Jewelry Buying Guide

It goes without saying that one of the smartest investments in the jewelry industry is gold. Gold conveys prestige and status, and symbolizes financial stability. Gold has long-lasting properties, it is one of the most precious metals that exist, and it is not for nothing that it is a metal in demand everywhere in the world. Although investing in a gold necklace, gold earrings or a gold bracelet can cost quite a bit of money, but with inflation and unexpected ups and downs in the markets, investing in gold is a solid hedge against this uncertainty. Know how to buy gold jewelry Correctly, it is not a complicated business but definitely important, this guide will help you do it the right way. .

Determining the purity level of gold

A carat is a unit of measurement denoted by the letter K, and describes the degree of purity of a gold alloy. Every piece of gold jewelry is marked in carat units, where according to this index, pure gold is 24 carat gold, and every gold alloy has 24 carat units. When you buy gold that has 24 carats, it means that the mixture is made of 100% pure gold and not fake. According to this information, it can be said that the value of gold is determined in relation to its purity, meaning that the purer the gold, the higher the value of the jewelry will be. When purchasing gold, it is important to always look for the quality mark on the jewelry you buy. There is a law that all jewelry made of gold must be engraved with the percentage of the carat of the piece, so you can be sure that you are buying real gold and not fake .

So, why is it so rare to find 24-karat gold jewelry, that is, jewelry made of pure gold? First and foremost, it is very expensive jewelry, but on the other hand, pure gold is a very soft metal and not at all convenient for shaping and forging. .

So how do you choose what percentage of carats is desirable for a woman's gold necklace? , gold earrings , gold jewelry, or gold bracelet There are some clear tips to help you make the right choice . . -  If you are planning to purchase gold jewelry for everyday use, it is recommended to choose jewelry with low karat percentages, ranging around 10, 12 and 14 karats. Since the purity of the gold in these jewelry is relatively low, the amount of gold within the alloy is low, which makes them more durable. Also for rings and bracelets that are more exposed to friction against hard surfaces, it is recommended to prefer lower karat percentages, ranging around 10 or 12 karats. For necklaces and earrings that are more protected from blows and scratches, 14 - 18 karats will be optimal. .

-  It is important to know that the latest guidelines now allow jewelers to sell gold below 10K , however, it is important to note that jewelry below 10K contains very little gold, and will not be as durable or quality as pieces above 10K .

-  If you choose to purchase jewelry for special occasions, high-carat jewelry, ranging from 18-24 carats, is the best, for the simple reason that they are used more often, and even when they are in use, they are treated with care to avoid unnecessary damage. .

 - In addition, choosing a gold chain does not rely solely on the purpose of using the jewelry. As mentioned, gold jewelry will often also contain metals other than gold, with one of the most common metals mixed in a gold alloy being nickel. Nickel has properties that make the jewelry stronger, and there are quite a few people who are allergic to the metal. Here, the purity of the gold plays a serious role. If there is an allergy to the metal, it is better to choose jewelry with a higher percentage of gold. 18 karat purity or higher would be recommended in such a case. .

Not all gold glitters or in other words gold substitutes

Gold jewelry, such as a gold necklace , gold earrings , or gold bracelet , may look like they are made of pure gold, but as mentioned, there is very little designed gold jewelry made of 24-karat gold (100% pure gold). On the other hand, there is jewelry that we call "gold-filled jewelry" or "gold-plated," and it is important to take a moment to discuss the differences between them. :

Gold-filled jewelry Gold-filled jewelry

Gold Filled means that the metal alloy contains a small amount of pure gold, usually 5%. If we look at the markings on gold filled jewelry, we will usually see the mark "12K 1/20 GF". This type of mark indicates the karat purity of the gold and the amount contained in the metal mixture, usually represented as a fraction. The jewelry must have a gold weight of at least 5% to be authentically "gold filled" .

Gold-plated jewelry

This is metal jewelry that is plated with a thin layer of gold. Because the gold layer is so thin, gold-plated jewelry will be quite inexpensive, with the metal underneath the gold plating usually being copper or silver. These are essentially base metals other than gold that are dipped in molten gold to create a golden “coat” on the surface. This is a budget-friendly alternative to gold-filled jewelry because it has the appearance of solid gold, but is less durable and valuable. These are great options for those looking to save money, as these gold alternatives are characterized by very little difference from real gold. Gold-plated sterling silver is known as vermeil ( pronounced Vermay has similar properties to other gold-plated jewelry, but is friendlier to users who are allergic to nickel. .

Buyers will generally prefer jewelry containing gold alloys over gold-plated jewelry because they do not tarnish or change color, and do not require hours of maintenance, other than the occasional cleaning. This gold jewelry is considered a “lifetime” product because it does not wear out easily, and is considered the second most valuable after pure 24-karat gold. Gold-plated jewelry has a vibrant gold color, but its coating is usually very thin and wears away over time. When the base metal begins to break down the gold coating, the jewelry itself will look tarnished, and the shine will disappear. Gold-filled jewelry may look less like “real gold” jewelry, but will retain its gold color over time without fading. .

Mixtures, alloys and colors of gold jewelry

Pure 24k gold looks yellow, but as mentioned, it is not always practical to purchase pure gold. This is actually why jewelers have found a way to mix gold with other strong metals. Since these items are usually no more than 18k gold, the other metals affect the natural yellow color of the gold, resulting in an alloy with a different color. Here are some of the gold colors available on the market :

Yellow gold is the color that comes to mind whenever we talk about gold. In fact, the word 'gold' is found in our language as a color, similar to honey or the sun. However, not all yellow jewelry is actually gold. As you know, jewelry that has been gold-plated will often look this way, and sometimes the plating is done intentionally, in order to maintain the appearance of yellow gold. .

White gold - This gold jewelry actually looks like a lighter version of silver jewelry , and will usually be made of white metals (i.e. palladium, nickel or manganese), which are stronger than gold. This jewelry is just as popular as yellow gold in the world of engagement rings. .

Rose Gold - This is actually a gold alloy with a pinkish hue, which is created by adding copper to the mix. It is usually 14 karat or 58.5% pure jewelry, with the highest karat version of this alloy known as Crown Gold, and is made of 75% gold and 25% copper. .

Green gold - This is one of the rarest varieties of gold jewelry, and is actually an alloy of gold mixed with silver. The jewelry comes in a bright yellow-green hue, and compliments green stones like emerald and peridot particularly well. Green gold is mostly produced in laboratories, but it is very rare and very expensive, so you rarely see jewelry like this. .

Gold jewelry care

If you wear your jewelry regularly, it will likely be exposed to body oils, dust, dirt, makeup, etc., and therefore require regular cleaning. Maintaining the shine and luster of gold jewelry is not a complicated task at all, since it is one of the most durable metals in nature. You can perform a simple cleaning of the jewelry yourself, but if you wear these items frequently, it is highly recommended to contact a jewelry professional from time to time, so that they can check the wear and tear and properly care for the jewelry. .

Cleaning

When cleaning gold jewelry, it is important to remember that you are working with a soft metal. Do not use chemicals, which may damage the jewelry itself, but the jewelry can be easily cleaned using simple materials found in every home. You should mix dish soap with warm water, and immerse the jewelry. You can use a small, soft toothbrush to get into the corners of the pattern on the jewelry, and finally dry with a soft towel. It is important to always make sure that the jewelry is completely dry before storing. .

Rhodium treatment

If you own white gold jewelry , it may lose its brightness over time. You can improve its appearance and restore its shine through a process called rhodium plating (also known as rhodium dip). Rhodium is a rare and extremely durable metal, and dipping gold jewelry in the mixture will revive the piece, enhance its brightness, and even increase its durability. Like any plating, rhodium can wear off over time, and the process must be repeated to maintain the desired appearance. The lifespan of the plating depends on how often the piece is worn and how much it comes into contact with your skin, but generally it can last for about one to two years. .