Gold
Use of Gold
Soft enough to be cast, die struck, hammered, electroformed or stretched to create any design or shape, gold has always been an ideal material for jewelry artisans.
It can be alloyed with a number of other metals to increase its strength and produce a variety of beautiful colors.
It can be re-melted and re-cycled to create new designs.
It is also non-toxic, will not corrode, resists tarnishing, is hypoallergenic, and retains its value.
Gold is a highly conductible metal and can be electroplated easily to other metal surfaces.
It is used for contact points in almost every high-tech electronic device imaginable.
In ancient times gold was thought to have healing properties.
Today gold is used in myriad medical applications, where its biologically benign properties and easy infrared detection make it an ideal internal tracking device.
Gold is even being combined with proteins to make new drugs. Dentists use 13 tons of it every year to make crowns, fillings, and bridges.
Colour
Of course, the most popular color for gold is its natural shade of yellow. The yellow gold used in jewelry is usually alloyed with copper and silver.
White gold is created using a higher percentage of nickel or palladium alloy, zinc and copper. Women are attracted to white gold for its hip, modern flair.
Alloying copper with gold creates rose gold. The added copper gives it a blush-like tint, which lends a soft, flattering effect to the skin.
A blend of silver, copper and zinc gives us green gold.
All these color options give a woman choice. Styles that combine white and yellow gold make a bold statement, while individual white and rose gold pieces can be mixed with classic yellow gold for an eclectic fashion flavor.
Quality
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 cartage 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!
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.
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.
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.
Vermeil refers to gold plating that's at least 15 microns thick (one micron is a millionth of an inch.
Pricing
Gold pricing is based on a number of factors, including cartage, gram weight, design and craftsmanship.
The cartage 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 a piece 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.
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 protect it from scratches.
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.