Jan
Gold jewelry is a look that has never gone out of style and is as popular as ever. Purer gold jewelry does not cause staining or tarnishing like inferior alloy blends. Usually if someone has a problem with staining on their skin it is due to their body and not the gold.
Gold is very malleable and as such can be made into just about any shape including tiny hair like strands and thin sheets.
One of the main things most people look for when purchasing gold jewelry is the purity. The jewelry industry has a universal system for identifying this factor.
Chances are the ring on your finger is marked 18K, 14K, or 10K, with the K standing for karat, the system used to describe the percentage of pure gold an item contains.
The higher the karat number, the higher the percentage of gold in your gold jewelry.
• 24K gold is pure gold.
• 18K gold contains 18 parts gold and 6 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 75% gold.
• 14K gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 58.3% gold.
• 12K gold contains 12 parts gold and 12 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 50% gold.
• 10K gold contains 10 parts gold and 14 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 41.7% gold. 10K gold is the minimum karat that can be called “gold” in the United States.
European gold jewelry is marked with numbers that indicate their percentage of gold, such as:
• 18K gold is marked 750 to indicate 75% gold
• 14K gold is marked 585 for 58.5%
• 12K gold is marked 417 for 41.7%
The karat marking on your gold jewelry should be accompanied by a hallmark or trademark that identifies its maker. The item’s country of origin might also be included.
You’ll find examples of pure gold jewelry, but pure gold is soft and isn’t practical for daily wear. Other metals are mixed with it to make it more durable (and to lower its cost).
Solid gold is durable, so it is a better choice for jewelry you’ll wear regularly. If you have allergies to nickel or other metals, choose items that have high gold content, such as 18K or 22K gold jewelry.
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Oct
Buying gold jewelry can be tricky because there are different types of karats, 14K cubic zirconia jewelry, and different colors of gold (based on other materials that the gold might be alloyed with to give added strength).
Ask Questions before Buying
The phrase “buy now, ask questions later” should never apply to gold jewelry, even cubic zirconia gold jewelry. You should ask plenty of questions before making such an elaborate purchase. A reputable jeweler will be able to answer all of your questions honestly and will provide you with helpful tips concerning your jewelry needs.
Here are some questions to ask:
*What is the actual karat of the gold? 10kt, 14kt, 18kt, or 24kt?
*Is it real gold or plated gold?
*Are the stones real or are they made of cubic zirconia?
*What factors were used to determine the gold jewelry’s price? Weight, ornamental detail, design or construction?
*What type of clasp is used? This is important with gold necklaces and bracelets. You need a strong, easy-to-use clasp.
What are Karats?
Pure gold is 24kt and offers a deep and rich color. Unfortunately, 24kt jewelry is very soft and can be damaged easily. Jewelry made with 24kt gold must have a special stamp of individuality.
Other karats of gold contain alloy metals to add strength. These alloy metals may be copper, zinc, silver, or nickel. These metals can also change the color of the gold to have a rose, white, or green coloration. Gold must be at least 10kt to be legally labeled and sold as real gold jewelry in the United States.
Trademark and Pricing of Gold Jewelry
All gold jewelry sold in the United States must have a manufacturer’s trademark. You might also see the name of the country where the jewelry was manufactured, and the manufacturer’s hallmark. The trademark tells the proper karat of the jewelry. It can be found on the inner part of the band on a diamond ring or any other gold-banded ring, or on the clasps of gold necklaces or bracelets. On earrings, the trademark might be found on the back of the earrings.
Types of Gold Jewelry
Gold jewelry is available in an assortment of styles and types. There are 14kt gold necklaces with or without pendants, attached stones such as sapphires and gemstones. A necklace may come in 14kt yellow gold or white gold. A pearl necklace can come in different styles as well such as a complete strand or partial strand of pearls on a 14kt yellow or white gold necklace.
There are also many types of 14kt gold earrings such as stone earrings, chandelier earrings, gemstone earrings, pearl earrings, semi-precious earrings, stud earrings, and even 14kt gold hoop earrings.
Diamond rings can be set on a 10kt or 14kt gold band in white or yellow gold. There’s the solitaire diamond ring and the diamond ring cluster, depending on the occasions. Solitaire diamond rings set on a 14kt gold band are still the most sought after for an engagement ring.
Other types of gold or diamond jewelry might include pendants, men’s rings, diamond or gold bracelets, and anklets.
Online Jewelry Shopping
The key to smart gold jewelry shopping online is to know your gold and know what types of jewelry are available. When shopping at a jewelry website, look for clarity as to what the jewelry is made of, its weight, and what types of stones are used in the jewelry. Also, be sure a Jewelry Certificate of Authenticity is provided with each purchase.
Go online to find an assortment of gold jewelry for gifts, a marriage proposal, or to buy your favorite jewelry for any occasion.
Cash for Gold Tags: Alloy Metals, Clasp, Clasps, Coloration, Cubic Zirconia Jewelry, Detail Design, Diamond Ring, Different Colors, Gold Jewelry, Gold Metals, Gold Necklaces, Hallmark, Helpful Tips, Individuality, Jeweler, Nickel, Pure Gold, Savvy Shopper, Tradem, ZincRelated posts
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Jun
Gold Earrings Buyers Guide
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Whether you are buying gold earrings as a gift or for yourself it is important to know the true value of the jewellery you are buying. The first thing to mention is the carat purity of the gold. This is the purity index used to evaluate the amount of gold in any piece of gold jewellery. At the very bottom of the scale is 1ct. This means that for every milligram of gold, other metals make up 23 milligrams. Normally jewellery begins at 9ct purity. Gold plated jewellery can have a carat value for the plating and different metals making up the bulk of the object. Any solid gold jewellery needs a hallmark to be sold in the United Kingdom but the hallmark alone does not guarantee the jewellery is gold. Silver and platinum jewellery also needs a hallmark to be sold in the United Kingdom. A three digit number should be engraved into the metal which indicates its purity. These numbers range from 375, which is 9ct and 999 which is 24ct.
Gold Earring Designs
Firstly, the classic hoop gold earrings are often too large to be made solid so they are hollowed out for comfort but the metal they are made from can still have high carat purity and this determines the price. Next is the classic tear drop shape gold earring. As opposed to hoop earrings these are normally smaller and can be made from solid gold. When the main section of the earring is attached directly to the bar which holds them in place, this is known as a stud earring. This design is also small enough to be made from solid gold and may be embellished with one or more precious stones.
Gemstones for Gold Earrings
Diamonds are a very popular stone to use for gold earrings. Depending on the carat mass of the diamond, the stone can account for the majority of the price. Although diamonds are one of the strongest substances known to man, they can be split from specific angles. Skilled jewellers are able to set diamonds in such a way that means none of these angles are exposed once the stone is in place. Another widely used gem is Peridot, this stone is vibrant green in colour and although Olivine (the constituent mineral) is a relatively abundant, gem quality Peridot is quite rare. You may also find earrings set with Opal. The majority of this mineral is produced in Australia. This gem can be found in a variety of colours ranging from white to black. The most common being white and green while black and red is the rarest. Amethyst is a precious type of quarts. Formed in volcanoes, these stones are generally violet but when exposed to heat they become yellow. Modern production techniques mean that this stone can be manufactured as opposed to being mined. Distinguishing natural and manmade amethyst is very difficult. Another gem commonly used in earrings is Topaz, at its purest Topaz is transparent but often impurities give the stone a hue. Topaz is often processed to give it a particular colour. Rubies are also used for earring decoration. Stones made from corundum which are not red are classified as sapphire.
At the time of writing this article, a gram of pure gold costs around £23-£24. You could expect to get a set of 9ct solid gold earrings, set with Opal, Topaz or Amethyst for under £100 whereas rubies or diamonds significantly change the price and depending on their size and quality can account for upwards of £200. The carat mass of the gold used will also make a significant difference but remember to check if they are simply plated or solid gold.
For a range of solid gold earrings. John Hollins Fine Jewellery is a great place to go
Cash for Gold Tags: Carat, Drop Shape, Earring Designs, Gold Earring, Gold Earrings, Gold Jewellery, Gold Metals, Gold Plated Jewellery, Gold Silver, Hallmark, Hoop Earrings, Jewellers, Milligram, Milligrams, Platinum Jewellery, Precious Stones, Purity, Solid Gold, Tear Drop, Three Digit NumberRelated posts
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May
If you are looking for a gold or silver necklace to wear either on its own or with a pendant and would like to know a little more, this guide should provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision. Necklaces are normally a series of one or more types of link interlocked to make a chain. The carat index is used to measure the purity of gold. This is often expressed by a hallmark consisting of 3 digits engraved into the piece. These commonly range from 375 (9ct – the most dilute) to 999 (24ct – the purest). Silver has a similar index which should also be engraved into the piece. These range from 750 (lowest) to 999.9 (highest). Sterling silver (which is commonly used in jewellery) should have ‘925′ engraved somewhere on it.
Link Types
Silver and gold necklaces are made from a variety of different types of link. Belcher links are normally torus (ring) shaped and interlock at 90 degrees to the next link. Curb Links are the classic shaped link used for chains outside of jewellery. They can either be made flat or undulated. In either case each link joins to the next at the same angle so when laid flat all links can be orientated the same way. Cuban links are a similar shape to curb links but their width makes each link almost circular. Bead links are spheres with a hole bored through to allow a strand to run between them. A spacer may be used to keep the beads at a uniform distance. Rope links give the impression of a single woven strand by interlocking the links into a spiral shape.
Pendants
You may wish to attach a pendant to the gold or silver necklace you are purchasing. The only thing to keep in mind is the type of links used for the chain. If the necklace is going to be worn with a sizable pendant the shape of the links in the necklace are worth considering. You will want to choose a rounded link which allows the pendant to move freely without snagging. One such link is the belcher link. In the event you choose a necklace is not suitable for your chosen pendant, a responsible jeweller should inform you of the reason and suggest a different necklace.
Costs
The price of silver or gold necklaces are generally governed by the purity of the precious metal used to make it and the weight but in some cases designer branding can further increase the price and handmade jewellery generally costs more than jewellery that has been built by machine. As an example, 9ct solid gold necklaces are generally less than £100 where the handmade equivalent could cost upwards of £500. Remember this does not refer to gold plated jewellery (which costs significantly less).
For a selection of silver & gold necklaces, John Hollins Fine Jewellery is a great place to go
Cash for Gold Tags: Beads, Belcher, Buyers Guide, Carat, Chains, Digits, Gold And Silver, Gold Necklace, Gold Necklaces, Gold Silver, Hallmark, Purity, Rope, Silver Necklace, Silver Necklaces, Spacer, Spheres, Spiral Shape, Sterling Silver, StrandRelated posts
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Sep
Gold jewelry is a look that has never gone out of style and is as popular as ever. Purer gold jewelry does not cause staining or tarnishing like inferior alloy blends. Usually if someone has a problem with staining on their skin it is due to their body and not the gold.
Gold is very malleable and as such can be made into just about any shape including tiny hair like strands and thin sheets.
One of the main things most people look for when purchasing gold jewelry is the purity. The jewelry industry has a universal system for identifying this factor.
Chances are the ring on your finger is marked 18K, 14K, or 10K, with the K standing for karat, the system used to describe the percentage of pure gold an item contains.
The higher the karat number, the higher the percentage of gold in your gold jewelry.
• 24K gold is pure gold.
• 18K gold contains 18 parts gold and 6 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 75% gold.
• 14K gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 58.3% gold.
• 12K gold contains 12 parts gold and 12 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 50% gold.
• 10K gold contains 10 parts gold and 14 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 41.7% gold. 10K gold is the minimum karat that can be called “gold” in the United States.
European gold jewelry is marked with numbers that indicate their percentage of gold, such as:
• 18K gold is marked 750 to indicate 75% gold
• 14K gold is marked 585 for 58.5%
• 12K gold is marked 417 for 41.7%
The karat marking on your gold jewelry should be accompanied by a hallmark or trademark that identifies its maker. The item’s country of origin might also be included.
You’ll find examples of pure gold jewelry, but pure gold is soft and isn’t practical for daily wear. Other metals are mixed with it to make it more durable (and to lower its cost).
Solid gold is durable, so it is a better choice for jewelry you’ll wear regularly. If you have allergies to nickel or other metals, choose items that have high gold content, such as 18K or 22K gold jewelry.
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