Gold Jewelry
Gold has been in use since times immemorial to create finest art objects, fine jewelry or religious objects. Since it is possible to mix gold with other metals to form different karats and colors, it has become one of the most admired metals for jewelry making today. Gold, the yellow metal is alloyed with copper and silver. This is the most commonly utilized type of gold. Gold is characterized by being ductile, malleable and usually non-corrosive, and has a great melting point and is generally not vulnerable to firmness. The white gold is normally alloyed with a great percent of silver, or sometimes a choice of other white metals. Thus the percentage of pure gold varies considerably, depending upon the quantity of other metals used in it. The white form of gold is greatly reflective and not generally subject to discolor.
The most common inscriptions for gold jewelry are the 18K, 14K or 10K. According to the U.S. laws, the ten-karat gold is the lowest level allowed. Jewelry containing high carat gold is more yellowish and somewhat softer than jewelry made of gold with lower karat and this may include silver, zinc, copper or other metals. Pure gold that is yellowish in color is very soft for jewelry making. It needs to be combined with other metals for strength. The gold color can also be modified and this results in different shades of pink, yellow or white gold.
Quality and Karat marks:
Gold’s purity is always calculated in karats. 24 karat gold is in the purest form, but this means it is dearer and less sturdy than gold that is alloyed with other metals. Several alloys are mixed with gold to give greater strength, color range and durability. 24 karat means a 100 percent gold, 18-karat means 75 percent gold and 14 karat means 58 percent of gold. When contrasting jewelry, the higher the karats, the greater its value.
When purchasing gold jewelry, one should always look for karat marks, which appears as a “k” behind the piece. Additionally, every piece should be stamped and sealed with a trademark or hallmark of its manufacturer, and at times, also the country of its origin. These designations ensure you are buying genuine karat gold jewelry.
Buying Gold Jewelry:
Gold is most famous in its ultimate form i.e. gold jewelry. Men and women alike get caught in gold’s appeal through the acquisition of gold jewelry. Gold pricing depends on many factors, including gram weight, design, karatage and craftsmanship. The gram weight and karatage indicate the gold percentage in gold jewelry, but the cost based solely on weight will not reflect the amount of work that is involved in the jewelry.
Some other important facts worth considering are the jewelry’s design and construction. The method of construction makes a piece flexible or durable. Gold jewelry is chiefly produced by machinery and any additional textural interest or finishing increases the cost.
Uniqueness of gold jewelry:
Out of all the world’s expensive metals, only gold merges the basic four characteristics that makes it an eternal treasured possession – rarity, lustrous beauty, workability and durability. Some of the usual marks found on gold jewelry along with their metric equivalents are:
22karat – 916
18karat – 750
14karat – 585
9 karat – 375
Care for Gold ornaments:
Like all other jewelry, gold jewelry should be periodically checked for breakage, wear and tear and cleaned. It should be cleaned with lukewarm soapy water. You need to keep your ornaments in boxes with different compartments in a safe place, so that they do not scratch with each other.