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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There is a lot of very popular jewellery out there today. One of the most popular is the white gold jewelry. However, what makes this kind of jewelry so popular? On top of that, what makes this gold turn white? These are all questions that we are going to answer, so if you have ever wonder this kind of information about white gold, then just keep on reading!

First of all, white gold is still gold. However, it is an alloy of gold that has been mixed with at least one other metal. Normally the two most commonly used white metals that get added to it are nickel and palladium. Just like the yellow gold that we have come to know and love, the white gold’s purity is, of course, given to us in carats. This lets you know how much of it is actually gold and how much of it has been mixed with another metal. One thing to keep in mind is that you can never have a full gold ring. That is because gold by itself is way too soft. It has to be mixed with another metal to make it stronger. If you did not mix it, you would be able to simply press on it and bend it.

Whenever you are dealing with white gold jewelry, there are a few different purposes it can be used for. First of all, when white gold is made with nickel, it’s a lot stronger than other white gold jewellery. This means that it is perfect for making things like rings and pins. However, when it is mixed with palladium, it becomes a lot softer and more workable. This makes it perfect to be used on gemstone jewelry. Most of the time, the highest carat white gold you are going to find is 18k. As said before, white gold is usually mixed with one or more metals, so they will often use palladium or nickel, but things like silver and copper get added in as well. In the really high class white gold rings, you can find things like platinum being used.

One more thing to keep in mind about white gold is that it does not retain it’s shine quite like other metals do, thus, a lot of times white gold has to be coated with rhodium. This gives it a very nice shine, but sometimes it has been known to rub off over time. Although it is unlikely, it does happen. Without the coating of this rhodium, very few people would like the dull look of white gold.

So why do people like the white gold look so much nowadays? When did all the jewelry start getting made out of white gold? This really came about as the rappers got into the white gold look. Although some people still really like the yellow gold look, it is a little bit too traditional for some people. That is why they go with the very modern looking white gold. Of course, we sometimes see these fads change back and forth, so no one knows when yellow gold will come back into style.

Kelly Hunter owns and operates http://www.bestwhitegoldjewellery.com and writes about White Gold Jewellery

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Gold jewellery has been prized for literally thousands of years for its beauty, being used both to show enormous wealth and as an expression of love and affection. You probably know that gold goes back to the time of the Pharaohs, who wore it all over their bodies, and were buried with it upon their death.

Today, gold jewellery is everywhere. It’s most commonly seen as rings on the fingers of married or engaged people, or as earrings, but many people also put jewellery in their nose, tongue or belly button, among other places. Hip hop culture has led to a resurgence in large pieces of gold jewellery being worn as a deliberate show of wealth, as ‘bling’, and this fashion has spread to many of the world’s young people.

When you buy gold jewellery, there are two important things to consider: the first is what the piece itself actually looks like (the quality of the jewellery itself), and the second is the purity of the gold, measured in carats. Although many people can be snobbish about low-carat gold, it is often what you do with it that counts, with a well-made piece from lower-quality gold actually being much more pleasing than a badly-made piece from expensive gold, and cheaper to boot.

Of course, if you’re not into gold, there are plenty of alternatives. Silver is gaining in popularity all the time, as a way to stand out from the crowd and counter the perception of some that gold is tacky, and platinum is also a well-regarded metal for jewellery-making. It’s possible to make just about anything into nice jewellery given time and skill, with some interesting materials to try being glass, shells and even wood – you can even make your own jewellery out of inexpensive beads and string, if you’re looking for something unique.

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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

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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

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Are you fascinated by Antique Jewellery and vintage jewellery or just want to buy a piece as a special gift or heirloom? If so you you need to know that the piece you are buying is a genuine antique and not a modern copy. There are many things to check and look out for such as the materials the piece is made from, the way the jewellery is made and the shape of the catches and hinges. All of these factors are just guidelines but with British Antique Jewellery you can sometimes tell the exact date of a piece from its hallmarks.

Hallmarking law is complex, it varied from city to city and has changed many times over the years since it was introduced in the middle ages. It takes a set of tables to work out the exact age of a piece but there are certain pieces of antique jewellery that it is easy to work out the age of. One of these is British antique jewellery made from 15 carat gold.

What is 15 carat Gold?

15 carat gold is gold of.625 purity, that is 625 parts of pure gold per 1000 parts. Pure gold is very expensive and also quite soft so it is mixed with other materials to give a harder and cheaper material that is more suitable and longer lasting than pure gold for use in jewellery. The other materials include copper, silver, iron, platinum and aluminium. The colour of the gold can be altered using different metals in the blend, for example rose gold is produced by having a high level of copper in the mix. 15 carat gold can theoretically be any colour that gold can be made in but normally you will find it as yellow or rose gold

How can i Identify 15 carat gold?

British antique jewellery which is made of 15 carat gold will be hallmarked with the number 15 and.625. If the piece of jewellery is quite light weight it may just be stamped 15ct. If there are the full hallmarks you would also expect to find a town mark, a date letter and the gold standard mark for the town which would help to give an exact date.

When was 15 carat gold used?

It was only a legal standard of gold in British jewellery between 1854 and 1931. During this time 12 carat (.5 or 500 parts per thousand) was also used. These two standards were replaced by 14 carat in 1932. Neither 12 or 15 carat gold were legal standards before 1854. This means tat any piece of antique gold jewellery from Britain with the 15 carat hallmark dates somewhere between 1854 and 1931 and you have a genuine piece of antique or vintage jewellery.

Anne Haile – Vintage Jewellery and Antiques Dealer and Blog Writer. You can find my shop at Vintage Jewellery and a wide selection of Antique Jewellery too.

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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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Gold jewellery has been prized for literally thousands of years for its beauty, being used both to show enormous wealth and as an expression of love and affection. You probably know that gold goes back to the time of the Pharaohs, who wore it all over their bodies, and were buried with it upon their death.

Today, gold jewellery is everywhere. It’s most commonly seen as rings on the fingers of married or engaged people, or as earrings, but many people also put jewellery in their nose, tongue or belly button, among other places. Hip hop culture has led to a resurgence in large pieces of gold jewellery being worn as a deliberate show of wealth, as ‘bling’, and this fashion has spread to many of the world’s young people.

When you buy gold jewellery, there are two important things to consider: the first is what the piece itself actually looks like (the quality of the jewellery itself), and the second is the purity of the gold, measured in carats. Although many people can be snobbish about low-carat gold, it is often what you do with it that counts, with a well-made piece from lower-quality gold actually being much more pleasing than a badly-made piece from expensive gold, and cheaper to boot.

Of course, if you’re not into gold, there are plenty of alternatives. Silver is gaining in popularity all the time, as a way to stand out from the crowd and counter the perception of some that gold is tacky, and platinum is also a well-regarded metal for jewellery-making. It’s possible to make just about anything into nice jewellery given time and skill, with some interesting materials to try being glass, shells and even wood – you can even make your own jewellery out of inexpensive beads and string, if you’re looking for something unique.

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