Gold is a precious metal. Historically, it has been used for stores of value (bars) for jewelry, electronics, dentistry, and as actual money (coinage). It is a yellow element found in nuggets that can actually be ruby or black when divided.
It is the most malleable metal known. When other elements are it forms alloys. This will increase the hardness and can create exotic colors. Adding copper gives a redder color, iron more blue, platinum white, aluminum creates purple.
Gold conducts heat and electricity well. Heat, moisture and corrosives have very little chemical effect gold. This makes it well-suited for make coins and jewelry. Since gold itself is soft, it is given the alloys to make it stronger and change its color.
When using gold for jewelry, it is measured in karats. Pure gold is 24K. It is generally sold as 22K, 18K and 14K. This means silver or copper have been added for strength and color.
Commonly we find the use of gold in jewelry making. Designers create beautiful gold jewelry which sometimes are enhanced with diamonds and gemstones. Gold and diamond jewelry makes wonderful presents. In our society they are also used for wedding rings and in gift giving.
There are many other uses of gold such as:
1. Embroidery Thread
2. In computers, jet aircraft
3. Dental crowns and bridges
4. White gold can substitute for platinum
Gold has had a high value since prehistoric times and was used as a symbol of value, purity and royalty. The price of gold has rise over the years indicating how it is valued in society.
Cash for Gold Tags: Alloys, Dental Crowns, Diamond Jewelry, Embroidery Thread, Gold Gold, Gold Jewelry, Jet Aircraft, Jewelry Designers, Jewelry Gold, Malleable Metal, Nuggets, Platinum Gold, Precious Metal, Prehistoric Times, Price Of Gold, Pure Gold, Purple Gold, Uses Of Gold, Wedding Rings, White GoldGold 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.
Gold is a precious metal. Historically, it has been used for stores of value (bars) for jewelry, electronics, dentistry, and as actual money (coinage). It is a yellow element found in nuggets that can actually be ruby or black when divided.
It is the most malleable metal known. When other elements are it forms alloys. This will increase the hardness and can create exotic colors. Adding copper gives a redder color, iron more blue, platinum white, aluminum creates purple.
Gold conducts heat and electricity well. Heat, moisture and corrosives have very little chemical effect gold. This makes it well-suited for make coins and jewelry. Since gold itself is soft, it is given the alloys to make it stronger and change its color.
When using gold for jewelry, it is measured in karats. Pure gold is 24K. It is generally sold as 22K, 18K and 14K. This means silver or copper have been added for strength and color.
Commonly we find the use of gold in jewelry making. Designers create beautiful gold jewelry which sometimes are enhanced with diamonds and gemstones. Gold and diamond jewelry makes wonderful presents. In our society they are also used for wedding rings and in gift giving.
There are many other uses of gold such as:
1. Embroidery Thread
2. In computers, jet aircraft
3. Dental crowns and bridges
4. White gold can substitute for platinum
Gold has had a high value since prehistoric times and was used as a symbol of value, purity and royalty. The price of gold has rise over the years indicating how it is valued in society.
Cash for Gold Tags: Alloys, Dental Crowns, Diamond Jewelry, Embroidery Thread, Gold Gold, Gold Jewelry, Jet Aircraft, Jewelry Designers, Jewelry Gold, Malleable Metal, Nuggets, Platinum Gold, Precious Metal, Prehistoric Times, Price Of Gold, Pure Gold, Purple Gold, Uses Of Gold, Wedding Rings, White GoldWhy Should I Buy Gold?
The world has been in love with gold ever since it was discovered. It is called a precious metal because it has a high economic value and is relatively scarce in relation to the level of demand for it. Gold was the standard in which the values of many currencies around the world were based until recently; because of confidence in its ability to hold it’s value over the long haul. At times of trouble, people always default to valuable portable property such as gold, diamonds and other valuable gems.
Gold has been the preferred metal for wedding rings in the west for a long time. It is very rare that couples exchange rings other than gold rings when getting married. In fact, in some Asian cultures, wealth is transferred unto the newlyweds in the form of gold jewelry.
Gold is very malleable and so has been the preferred metal for jewelers over centuries. It also does not rust or decay. If it gets dull, just applying a quick polish restores it’s luster and shine.
Gold is virtually indestructible and everlasting.
Gold keeps it’s value over time and is easily marketable
Gold is easy to work with so you will get the most beautiful jewelry made out of gold
Everybody loves gold.
What kind of Gold Should I Buy?
Before buying gold jewelry the most important thing to ask yourself is the reason why you are buying. This is important because it will help you determine how much to budget for your purchase, what quality and type of jewelry to buy and from where to buy it.
If you are only interested in buying a gold ring for fun, then you might not care too much about the quality of the ring or the supplier as long as it looks good on your finger. If, however, you are buying an engagement ring, an anniversary ring or a wedding ring, you had better pay more attention to the quality of the ring and the service you can expect from the supplier. A wedding ring, we hope, will be appreciated for a long time and you will want your partner to know that you put some thought into the selection of their ring. You want the perfect ring so you need to make sure that your supplier has a good return or exchange policy and that they are easily contactable.
There are different qualities and colors of gold used in jewelry. The different types of gold jewelry are determined by the metals mixed in with the pure gold, and whether the piece of jewelry is formed as a solid piece, plated or maybe hollow.
Gold Quality:
Pure gold does not rust or tarnish, and people that are allergic to some metals are rarely allergic to pure gold. However, pure gold is very soft and easily bendable. It is also very expensive. So to make it practical for jewelry that can be worn everyday it is mixed with different metals.
Gold jewelry is generally marked 18K, 14K, or 10K. The higher the Karat (k) the higher the percentage of pure gold to other metals in the 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. A high proportion of gold Jewelry is made in 10K gold.
European Markings:
Jewelry from Europe may be marked is a different manner with numbers that indicate their percentage of gold like this:
· 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%
Genuine gold jewelry should have, in addition to the karat marking, a hallmark or trademark that identifies its maker. Sometimes the item’s country of origin might also be included. The hallmark or country of origin may sometimes be left out in very small and delicate pieces of Jewelry.
Colors of Gold:
Pure gold is, of course, gold in color. However, gold can be made into jewelry of different and exciting colors by adding different metals to it. When other metals are added to pure gold the result is called an alloy. Any gold alloy from18K, down to 10K can still be called solid gold. Anything less that 10k is not solid gold.
White Gold: Created by adding Palladium or Nickel to pure gold.
Rose Tint Gold: Created by adding copper to pure gold.
Greenish Cast Gold: Created by adding silver to pure gold
Gold Coated Jewelry
Applying a coating of gold on lesser value metals has always been a way of producing jewelry that looks as valuable as gold but not as expensive to manufacture. This is OK as long as the buyer is aware that the piece of jewelry they are buying is not SOLID gold and as long as they are also aware of the quality of the plating.
Gold Filled Jewelry:
Gold filled jewelry is usually 14k gold heavy-layered over sterling silver. More recent gold-filled jewelry have markings that indicate how much and what type of gold was used for the layer. A marking that says 120 12K G.F. means that the jewelry is at least 120th 12K gold by weight. Gold filled jewelry generally retain their coating longer than gold plated jewelry.
Gold Plated Jewelry:
The gold layer in gold plated jewelry is usually thinner than the gold in gold-filled jewelry. This means that the goal plating usually wears away more quickly. However, all gold plating is not the same. Some will be thicker and more even than others and thus may provide you with long lasting true gold finish, sometimes comparable to gold-filled jewelry.
Dangers to Watch out for
Gold plated jewelry can provide a great deal of satisfaction and joy to the buyer as long as they know what they are buying. It is unfortunate, but there are still unscrupulous people out there that try to pass off gold plated jewelry as solid gold. The only way to protect yourself from this is to look carefully at the markings on the jewelry; observe the color; feel the weight in relation to the size of the jewelry; and most importantly, know whom you are buying your jewelry from. If you’re not sure take an expert with you when buying.
So Now You’re Ready To Take The Step
When buying gold always aim to buy solid gold if your budget allows. This will last you a lifetime, many lifetimes actually. Anything from 10k to 22k or 24K is good.
If you are allergic to nickel or other metals then you should aim to buy the higher karat gold jewelry such as 18k or 22k gold. It will cost more but you can offset this by buying a smaller piece of jewelry or by buying fewer pieces and only buying ones with higher pure gold content. Your skin is still your most important and valuable piece of jewelry and you should treat it accordingly.
Gold plated and gold-filled jewelry is great for fashion jewelry that will not be subject to heavy usage. And oh yes, try not to wear your gold plated or gold filled jewelry when washing up or using any form of detergents. Although not as valuable or durable, gold plated and gold filled jewelry are cheaper and can last for years if treated kindly.
When wearing Jewelry always remember that a confident and happy wearer can make almost any piece of Jewelry look more beautiful and valuable.
By Alexander Michaels
© 2006 Alexander Michaels
www.kensingtonjewelers.com” target=”_blankwww.kensingtonjewelers.com
Everything You Need to Know About Buying Quality Jewelry Online
Gold, platinum and titanium are among the most coveted precious metals in the world. Jewelry crafted out of these pure substances is often highly valued and sought out by savvy consumers the world over. Learn everything you need to know about selecting quality pieces right here!
Gold Jewelry
Gold jewelry is perhaps the most traditional form of quality jewelry worn by men and women alike in every culture and society of the world. Gold has been used to fashion attractive pieces for centuries. Many historians believe that gold was used as far back as pre-historic times by man as a tool. Later gold jewelry was first discovered dating to around 3000 BC. Gold first became widely used by the Egyptians, who combined gold with other precious metals to achieve varying looks, colors and durability.
So what do you need to know about buying gold? Let’s start with the basics. Most gold is assessed via its weight or karats.
14k Gold – 14k gold jewelry is made up of 58.5% gold mixed with copper and nickel among other things. It is the most popular karat of gold purchased the world over, and is known for its affordability and durability.
18k Gold – 18k gold jewelry is popular particularly in Europe. Most 18k gold jewelry is made from 75% pure gold. Most premium jewelry is made with 18 k, which is only slightly more expensive than 14 k gold.
22-24k Gold – 22 and 24 karat gold jewelry is usually considered the most valuable, and is very popular among elite gold shoppers. This form of gold is the most pure, consisting of almost 199% gold. Generally 22 and 24 karat gold products have a richer color than other gold jewelry.
Is one better than the other? The more pure the gold, the softer the jewelry will be and the more likely to scratch. Fine scratches are easily minimized however with proper care and cleaning over time. Quality is more related to craftsmanship than the actual percentage of gold in a particular piece of jewelry. When deciding on a piece that’s right for you – you’ll want to look for things like symmetry, overall appearance and finishing.
One of the best things about gold jewelry is it is available in both yellow and white. White gold is becoming increasingly popular though it is only available in 14 or 18 k styles. White gold jewelry is often plated with a platinum metal to help give its unique color.
Black Hills Gold
Black Hills gold is extremely popular among gold enthusiasts. Black Hills Gold is named not only after the style but also location the gold jewelry is fashioned in. Legend has it that a French goldsmith became lost during the gold rush of the mid 1870s in the Black Hills of South Dakota. During a dream, he believed he had seen a mountain stream with grape vines; upon awakening, he walked over to find the very scene he dreamed about, and in gratitude decided to devote his life to creating gold jewelry in the shape of grape leaves and clusters fashioned out of gold.
Black Hills Gold jewelry is a particular style of jewelry that must be manufactured in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This gold jewelry is often combined with silver and copper to create green and rose leaved color combinations. Most Black Hills Gold is available in 10, 12 and 14k versions. This makes Black Hills gold extremely popular among jewelry fans looking for attractive yet very affordable gold jewelry.
Platinum & Titanium Jewelry
Platinum and titanium jewelry are among the most expensive jewelry items, in part because they are crafted of white metals. Platinum jewelry is often very heavy and dense as is most titanium jewelry. Platinum jewelry is much heavier than gold jewelry because of the density of the metal used to craft it. Titanium is actually really light. It’s only 60% heavier than aluminum and 45% lighter than steel! Platinum jewelry and titanium jewelry are also naturally white or silver, thus do not have to be combined with other metals to achieve a brilliant whitish sheen.
Most platinum jewelry is 90% pure or more, thus platinum jewelry is an exceptional selection for consumers who are allergic or who have sensitive skin. Gold jewelry might cause allergic reactions in people in part because it is mixed with other substances such as nickel, which can be irritating for some people.
Platinum and titanium jewelry usually will hold up well over time and require little maintenance, other than regular cleanings using a mild soap or cleaning agent. Titanium jewelry is in fact considered one of the most durable jewelry selections available, showing few if any signs of wear and tear over the years.
Both platinum and titanium jewelry can be fashioned with gold or silver inlays or adorned with stones. Platinum jewelry is often a popular choice for wedding and engagement bands. Titanium jewelry is slowly becoming more popular as its appeal and durability is more widely known. You can find platinum jewelry and titanium jewelry that is affordable. Most unadorned bands generally can range anywhere from $60 on up. Remember that in general, intricate and ornate platinum or titanium pieces are more expensive than their gold counterparts, and it isn’t uncommon to see pieces that cost up to several thousand dollars.
You can find virtually any type of jewelry in platinum and titanium that you can in gold. Most people select one or the other based on style or budgetary considerations. Gold can actually be combined with platinum or titanium to produce unique custom pieces. The most popular platinum and titanium pieces remain rings for the most part; gold jewelry is still the reigning king and favorite it seems among jewelry wearers looking for a combination of rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. That may change with time however, as more and more consumers realize the appeal and durability of other precious metals including platinum and titanium.
About The Author:
Successful freelance writer, Antigone Arthur has completed a number of informative articles providing valuable insight for consumers on such topics as Black Hills Gold jewelry, platinum engagement rings, and titanium wedding rings.
Cash for Gold Tags: 14k Gold, 18k Gold Jewelry, Attractive Pieces, Copper Nickel, Elite Gold, Gold 14k, Gold Platinum, Gold Products, Jewelry Gold, Platinum Jewelry, Pre Historic Times, Precious Metals, Pure Gold, Quality Gold, Quality Jewelry, Quality Pieces, Savvy Consumers, Time Quality, Titanium Jewelry, World GoldPosted by (0) Comment
Now is the best time for selling gold jewelry!! Gold prices are at an all time high and you would definitely get more money than you spent while purchasing the them. Now the problem of where to sell them arises. Valuing diamonds and other gems might pose a problem unless you contact the right people. You would certainly like to get money worth your jewelry and to ensure that you are not scammed you need to be alert and informed about the many ways you can be duped.
Cause For Selling Gold Jewelry
There can be many reasons that have made you decide to sell gold jewelry. It could be a divorce, illness, etc. Selling of them is usually done in circumstances of financial strain. Whatever the reason is you should get the full value of your jewelry. The gold and embedded gems should be appraised by a professional gemologist and he would be able to give you a correct estimate of the value of your jewelry. Your estimate of your jewelry might not be accurate and hence getting an expert’s opinion is vital.
Do not approach pawn shops or jewelry shops for getting a value of your jewelry. They would not give you an authentic estimate but would give you only a diminished value. Selling gold jewelry should be done carefully if you want to get its full worth.
Trusted Appraisal Service
You need to find a trusted company so that your jewelry can be appraised and true value is established. You can get a variety of quotes on your jewelry. They can appraise or certify your jewelry. A professional council of a certified gemologist should be contacted when you decide to sell gold jewelry.
Gold prices are soaring and there is no wonder that many gold buyers are in the arena. These people claim to pay you the market value of gold, but in reality they act as brokers between you and a gold refinery. Thus, they buy gold from you and sell it to the gold refinery at a profit. Thus, you gain only a small percentage of the actual profit.
So Where To Sell
Selling of them can lead you to a jewelry store, but you will get only wholesale prices for your gold. You can try certain trusted online companies that have direct affiliation to gold refineries. These people would be able to pay more, since because of competition between various sites they would have a better resale price. The competition allows you to emerge the winner with better prices for your gold jewelry.
Online companies have to shell out less for their operational costs as compared to a local store, and they do more business than the local store; hence, these stores would be able to buy gold jewelry at higher prices since they get more profits.
Prior to selling gold jewelry, you need to do a little bit of homework. Read reviews of cash exchange for gold and conduct an independent study of gold prices in the market. Once you have the required information, selling of them would cease to be a daunting task.
Are You Thinking About Selling Gold Jewelry [http://www.selling-gold-jewelry.net/]? Deal Directly With a Gold Refinery and Get 3X’s More for Your Gold.
Cash for Gold Tags: Appraisal Service, Best Time, Certified Gemologist, Diminished Value, Gold Buyers, Gold Jewelry, Gold Prices, Gold Refinery, Jewelry Gems, Jewelry Gold, Jewelry Shops, Market Value Of Gold, Money Worth, Pawn Shops, Professional Council, Professional Gemologist, Sell Jewelry, Selling Jewelry, True Value, Value Of GoldGold 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.