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Learning Center - Know more about Gold
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Quality
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Gold's purity is measured in karats. The term "karat"
harks back to the ancient bazaars where "carob"
beans were used to weigh precious metals. 24 karat
is pure gold, but its purity means it is more expensive
and less durable than gold that is alloyed with
other metals. Different alloys are used in jewelry
for greater strength, durability and color range.
The karat-age of the jewelry will tell you what
percentage of gold it contains: 24 karat is 100
percent, 18 karat is 75 percent, and 14 karat is
58 percent gold. When comparing gold jewelry, the
higher the number of karats, the greater the value.
Europeans have long embraced 18-karat gold as their
metal of choice, and with good reason. Its rich
yellow color, luxurious look and feel have an extraordinarily
sensual appeal; many European women treat 18-karat
gold like a second skin, even wearing it to the
beach!
Today, women in the U.S. and around the globe are
"trading up" and treating themselves to
the beauty and opulence of 18-karat gold.
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Karat
Marks:
When buying gold jewelry, always look for the karat
mark. All other things being equal, the higher the
karat, the more expensive the piece. In the United
States, 14-karat gold, or 583 parts pure gold, is
the most common degree of fineness. Nothing less
than 10 karats can legally be marked or sold as
gold jewelry in the U.S. However, lower karat-age,
such as 8-karat gold and 9-karat gold, are popular
in other countries.
18-karat gold is 18/24ths, or three-quarters pure
gold, and jewelry of this fineness is marked 18k
or 750, the European designation meaning 75% gold.
Always look for the karat mark or "k"
that appears on the back of the piece. By U.S. law,
if a karat mark appears you should also see the
manufacturer's trademark to assure you that the
karat marking is accurate. The country of origin
should also appear.
In addition to the karat mark, every piece of gold
jewelry should be stamped with a hallmark or trademark
of its maker, and sometimes its country of origin.
These designations assure you that you are buying
genuine karat gold jewelry. Heavier pieces contain
more gold.
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Gold
Types
Gold Filled, also called Gold Overlay,
refers to a layer of at least 10-karat gold that
has been permanently bonded by heat and pressure
to one or more surfaces of the support metal, then
rolled or drawn to a prescribed thickness. The karat
gold must be at least 1/10 of the total weight.
Gold Plate means that a layer of plating
of 10-karat gold or better has been bonded to a
base metal. The karat gold content may be less than
1/20, but it must be properly identified by weight
in terms of total metal content.
Gold Leaf is just gold plating that's
been pounded and applied by hand.
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Gold
Color
Yellow gold is alloyed with silver and copper.
It is the most frequently used type of gold there
is. Malleable, ductile, and generally non-corrosive,
it has a high melting point and is not susceptible
to compression.
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 White
gold is alloyed with a large percentage of silver,
or a selection of other white metals. The percentage
of gold naturally varies, according to the amount
of other metal used. White gold is highly reflective
and not subject to tarnish. The ancient term for
it was Electrum. Its use predates that of Palladium
and Platinum.
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 Rose
gold is alloyed with copper, and perhaps silver. The
proportions are about one part of copper to three
parts of 24-karat gold.
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Pricing
Gold pricing is based on a number
of factors, including karat-age, gram weight, design
and craftsmanship. The karat-age and gram weight
tell you how much gold is in a piece, but don't
rely on these alone to determine price. Remember,
a price based solely on gram weight does not reflect
the work that has gone into the piece.
Other important factors to consider
are the jewelry's construction and design. The techniques
of construction can make apiece more durable and
flexible for added comfort. A well-made piece in
a classic design will give you years of wear and
enjoyment and, if cared for properly, will last
a lifetime. Unique design, intricate details, gemstones
or a special clasp may add to the price.
Gold jewelry is mainly produced by
machine. Any additional hand finishing or textural
interest raises the cost. Similar looking pieces
may have vastly different price tags. This is because
different pieces may have specific characteristics
that make them unique. So look carefully to notice
any differences and similarities. Often, it's these
small details that give you pleasure through the
years that you enjoy a piece of jewelry, and ensure
that your children will also enjoy it.
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Care
Gold is durable, sturdy, dependable, and makes an
ideal setting for your precious diamond jewelry.
However, to get a lifetime of enjoyment from your
jewelry, be sure to keep it clean and safe.
Do not wear jewelry during rough work or when handling
harsh chemicals.
Store it in a fabric-lined box away from other
pieces to preserve it from getting scratched.
Finally, check the diamond settings periodically
for any damage to the gold prongs or bezels. If
you see a loose prong, or if the setting looks out
of line, bring it to a professional jeweler for
repair at once.
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