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 GoldRelated posts
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Oct
Gold has been an extremely desired expensive metal for coinage, jewellery and other arts since its invention. Monetary markets have always been doubtful. But, today is the world of globalization; economic situation is much severe than ever before. This just might be a good time to avoid insecurity by investing in gold. Gold is also known as the money of last resort. It is useful because it does not only protect you against the falling demand and value dollar, but you could make a heavy profit in precious metals. Here are the best five reasons for converting your money into gold:
Limited Supply
Gold does not lose its value every day, like paper money. Gold is not exaggerated by inflation or devaluation as there is a limited natural supply of the precious metal. Many people realize it that there is no alternate for the gold. By buying gold, you can have a sense of security that if anything happens to the market prices and the worth of paper currency to falls, you would be in control of a very valuable material, whose prices are not determined by governments of various countries.
Globally Acceptable Currency
As you know that gold is a very expensive and precious metal. It is acceptable in any place of the world without any hesitation. It is an easy and comfortable investment, which is accepted as currencies all over the world.
Historical Value
No one can make gold as much as he wants because gold cannot be made by hand. It is the gift of God for the people. That is why the worth of gold has been used for over 5,000 years. Gold is a great preservative for all economies.
Economic Recession Periods
In the economic recession around the world, gold emerges as being more reliable, because the market believes that it will not fall to fluctuations in economic trends like paper currency does. Gold is measured as the greatest investment in times of crisis.
Gold As Jewellery Business
In the last two years, gold jewellery business has earned a lot of popularity as a small size business. There are a lot of women who do not do any work at home, but buy jewellery according to their choice; they get new designs and sell them on high prices. It is a means of a profitable business for women. They can use their innovative faculties and employ their hours in creation of gold jewellery, which can later be sold off.
As we have looked at gold that can be kept for investment purposes, its stunning looks and shortage have made it the perfect means of exchange. Gold is the finest metal for this purpose because of its high value, durability, portability and easy divisibility. The importance of gold, as a great store of worth and investment, is not a recent phenomenon. It has been there for many centuries. Gold was the main commodity that was used as money and was used for carrying out barter dealings.
Learn how to buy gold in the times of recession for investment.
Cash for Gold Tags: Devaluation, Economic Recession, Economic Situation, Economic Trends, Gift Of God, Gold Gold, Insecurity, Investing In Gold, Investment Gold, Last Resort, Limited Supply, Money Gold, Paper Currency, Paper Money, Precious Metal, Precious Metals, Preservative, Sense Of Security, Value Dollar, World GoldRelated posts
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