FACTS:
Gold is a chemical element that, aside
from its extraordinary luster, has amazing
physical characteristics that make it
extremely well suited for use in jewelry
making. Although it is the most malleable
(able to be shaped into many forms)
of all metals, gold is so durable that
it is virtually indestructible.
One ounce (28 g) of gold can be hammered
to 187 square feet, in extremely thin
sheets called gold leaf. Gold also does
not tarnish or corrode. Gold can be
re-melted and used again to create new
designs.
Because pure gold is too soft to resist
prolonged handling, it is usually mixed
with other metals to increase its hardness
for use in jewelry. Most gold used in
jewelry is alloyed with silver, copper
and small amounts of zinc to produce
various shades of yellow gold, or with
nickel, copper and zinc to produce white
gold.
The color of these gold alloys goes
from yellow to white as the proportion
of nickel in them increases. Alloys
with platinum or palladium are also
used in jewelry. Alloying gold with
copper creates what is known as pink
gold. Since nickel is the most popular
alloy used in white gold, it is important
to note that some people may be allergic
to nickel.
People with this sensitivity can avoid
problems by choosing 18-Karat gold,
instead of 14-Karat (since there is
more pure gold and less alloys in 18K),
or by choosing platinum settings. The
gold content of a piece of jewelry is
measured in karats, which can range
from 1 to 24. For example, 14 Karat
(14k) gold is 14 parts of gold to 10
parts other metals. The higher the karat
of a piece of jewelry, the greater its
gold content.
This term should not be confused with
the term carat, which is measure of
the weight of diamonds and other gemstones.
The history of gold extends back at
least 6,000 years, with references to
it being made in both Egypt and Mesopotamia.
In ancient times, gold was thought to
have healing properties when worn or
even ingested. It is even mentioned
several times in the Old Testament.
From Christopher Columbus' discovery
of the New World in 1492 to 1600, more
than 8,000,000 ounces of gold, or 35
percent of world production, came from
South America. The New World's mines--especially
those in Colombia--continued into the
17th and 18th centuries to account for
61 and 80 percent, respectively, of
world production. 48,000,000 ounces
were mined in the 18th century.
Russia became the world's leading producer
of gold in 1823, and for 14 years it
contributed the bulk of the world supply.
From 1850 to 1875, more gold was produced
in the world than in all the years since
1492, primarily because of discoveries
in California and Australia. A third
increase in gold production stemmed
from discoveries in Alaska, Yukon Territory
and South Africa.
Gold production continued to rise throughout
the 20th century, partly because of
the improvement in recovery methods
and partly because of the continual
growth and expansion of South Africa's
gold-mining operations. In the late
20th century, South Africa, Russia,
the United States and Australia accounted
for two-thirds of the gold produced
annually throughout the world. South
Africa alone produces about one-third
of the world's gold.
Today gold is also used in the medical
industry, because its infrared detection
capabilities make it ideal for being
traced throughout the body. And of course,
dentists use 13 tons of gold every year
inside our mouths!
Gold Color
and Content:
The color of pure gold is bright golden
yellow. Besides for strengthening the
gold, other metals may be alloyed with
gold to give the gold distinct color
tinges. The different types of gold
are based on the particular color tinge:
Rose
Gold: Gold with a slightly
reddish hue, caused by copper
White Gold:
Pale, almost silver-colored gold,
caused by nickel (and sometimes zinc
or platinum)
Green Gold:
Gold with a slightly greenish hue,
caused by copper and silver
Blue Gold:
Gold with a slightly bluish hue, caused
by iron
The
purity of the gold depends on the
percentage of alloyed metal. This
number is measured in karats. The
karat measurement determines the percentage
of gold to other metals on a scale
of 1 to 24 , with 24 karats being
pure gold. That means that 14 karat
gold is only 14/24 (or 58.33%) gold.
Gold with a high karat measurement
is undesirable for jewelry because
it is soft and bendable, and gold
with a low karat measurement is undesirable
because of its low gold content [hence
lesser value].
Gold is one of the heaviest materials.
When pure, it has a specific gravity
(SG) of 19.3. The international weight
measurement of gold is the troy ounce.
One troy ounce of gold equals 31.1
grams.
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Gold
Content
|
|
USA
Karat Stamping
|
Parts
Gold
|
Percentage
Gold
|
European
Fineness Stamping
|
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24K
|
24/24
|
99.9%
|
999
|
|
22K
|
22/24
|
91.7%
|
916
or 917
|
|
18K
|
18/24
|
75.0%
|
750
|
|
14K
|
14/24
|
58.3%
|
583
or 585
|
|
12K
|
12/24
|
50.0%
|
500
|
|
10K
|
10/24
|
41.7%
|
416
or 417
|
|
9K
|
9/24
|
37.5%
|
375
|
Buying
Guide:
Gold pricing is based on a number
of factors, including karat amount
(called karatage), gram weight, design
and craftsmanship. The karatage and
gram weight designate how much gold
is in a piece, but are not the sole
determining price factors. The craftsmanship
and level of detail in a piece are
also taken into account.
Other important considerations are
the piece's construction and design.
Higher quality pieces that are well
made will last longer, and are usually
priced higher. The most critical thing
to look for in buying gold jewelry
(aside from the style you like!) is
the purity of the gold. The higher
the gold content, the more valuable
it is. The amount of gold in a piece
is represented in the karat mark,
usually inscribed on the back of the
piece (e.g. 24K, 18K, 14K, etc.).
The European system uses numbers representing
a fraction of 1000, so "750"
would be 75% gold, or the equivalent
of 18 Karat. In addition to the karat
mark, every piece of gold jewelry
should be stamped with a hallmark
or trademark of its manufacturer and
sometimes its country of origin.
In the United States, 14-karat gold,
or 583 parts pure gold, is the most
common degree of fineness and pieces
are marked 14K. Nothing less than
10K can legally be marked or sold
as gold jewelry in the U.S. Gold filled
jewelry is made by joining or bonding
(under heat and pressure) layers of
a karat gold to a base metal.
This "sandwich" is then
rolled or drawn to the desired thickness.
Gold plate jewelry is made by bonding
10-karat or better gold to a base
metal. The karat gold content may
be less than 1/20, but must be properly
identified as a percentage of the
total content.
Diamond.com does not sell either gold-filled
or gold-plated jewelry. Here are some
simple guidelines to help keep your
gold jewelry looking great for years:
 Don't
wear your jewelry while doing
rough work. Even though a most
jewelry is durable, a hard blow
can chip a stone.
When
doing household chores, never
allow your jewelry to come in
contact with chlorine bleach.
Bring
your jewelry to a qualified jeweler
if you notice a loose stone setting,
stones moving or any other noticeable
damage to your jewelry. It's a
good idea to have a jeweler check
the setting in your diamond ring
(while you watch) once a year.
Always
remove your jewelry before bathing
and grooming. Think of your jewelry
as the final touch and put it
on right before you get on with
your day. Hairspray, gel, body
lotion, moisturizer, perfume,
mousse, make-up, shaving cream
and soap are chemicals that can
leave a residue on jewelry, creating
a dull film that is very difficult
to remove.
To
be safe, always remove your jewelry
before working with chlorine bleach.
When silver is exposed to chlorine
bleach, the chemical has an oxidizing
effect on the metal, causing the
metal to turn an unsightly black.
Chlorine bleach works well with
dirty laundry, but not with jewelry.
Keep
it dry. Using water to clean and
rinse some of your jewelry is
permissible; however, make sure
it's dried thoroughly when you're
done. Moisture will cause tarnish
on silver and will weaken the
springs and clasps.
Certain
jewelry, such as pearl and gemstone
jewelry, should never be soaked
in water or worn when bathing.
The stones in such jewelry may
be glued into the settings and
the moisture will cause the glue
to loosen, causing the stones
to fall out and get lost.
Always
make sure your jewelry items are
thoroughly dry before placing
them in an enclosed area, or your
jewelry will get water spots.
When you're not wearing your jewelry,
be sure to store it in a fabric-lined
case or in a box with dividers
or separate compartments-jewelry
pieces can scratch each other.
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Largest variety of jewelry & watch designs
