Gold is a metal that is very durable and precious. Its value increases through the years. Many people choose gold items when they invest in jewelry since gold resists tarnishing, so you can keep the jewelry for a long time and bring back its luster quickly.
If you are thinking of investments, you will be making a wise decision if you invest in gold jewelry. Gold is luxurious and classy, and a symbol of financial stability. The precious metal translates into money. Gold backs a country’s national economy, so you can understand why gold continues to enjoy very high demand.
So, if you want to invest in gold jewelry you should understand as much as you can about gold.
Essential things you should know about gold jewelry
It is easier to buy gold jewelry today since you can find many jewelers online. But you have to make sure that you are buying real gold jewelry, which means you should only purchase from reputable jewelers, such as www.persjewel.com. Here are some of the things you should know and keep in mind.
Learn the gold’s purity levels
The purest, unadulterated gold is 24 karats. A karat is a unit of gold. One gold karat is equivalent to 1/24 part (4.1667%). Thus, if you are buying gold jewelry, understand that karat means the amount of gold used in the creation of a piece of jewelry. But while 24k means that you will have 100% gold, understand that 24-karat gold is very soft, making it susceptible to damage. The durability and strength of the gold jewelry depend on the other metals added to pure gold.
To easily understand the purity levels:
- 24 karat gold = 100% gold
- 22 karat gold = 92% gold and 8% alloyed metals
- 18 karat gold = 75% gold and 25% alloyed metals
- 14 karat gold = 58% gold and 42% alloyed metals
If you are interested in gold jewelry that you plan to use daily, go for items that have lower karats, such as jewelry pieces in 10k, 12k, and 14k. They are stronger and more durable and can resist wear and tear from daily activities. They are also more affordable. If you want to buy bracelets and rings that are frequently exposed to friction against hard surfaces, choose those that are in 10k or 12k. Earrings and necklaces for everyday wear can be in 14k or 18k gold since they are safer from bumps and knocks.
Gold jewelry in 18k to 24k is suitable for special events, parties, and occasions.
Another thing to consider is the other metal mixed with the gold. The most common is nickel but some people are allergic to it. If you have an allergy to nickel, buy gold jewelry items that are mixed with other metals or those that have a higher percentage of gold.
Assess the quality of the gold
Choose the jewelry pieces with the right gold percentage. A reputable jeweler can provide you with exquisite gold jewelry pieces in 24-karat solid gold. However, you can find other items that are gold-plated or gold-filled.
A gold-filled jewelry piece means that the item is made of gold and other metals, to make them tougher. Gold-filled jewelry pieces are valuable like jewelry items in pure gold. They do not tarnish, change color, chip, or fade over time. They may require occasional cleaning and in some countries, gold-filled jewelry pieces are covered by trading regulations.
On the other hand, gold-plated jewelry items are made of base metals other than gold. The pieces are dipped later into molten gold to coat the metal surface, making the pieces budget-friendly. However, you have to understand that the gold plating is usually quite thin and can easily wear off. The sale of gold-plated jewelry is not regulated, so you can easily find them on the market.
If you are allergic to nickel, buy vermeil, which is a gold plating technique for a jewelry piece that uses sterling silver as its base metal.
Learn the colors and alloys
The colors of the gold jewelry pieces can indicate the pureness of the gold used to make the items. Pure gold or 24-karat gold is yellow.
As mentioned earlier, gold is mixed with different metals to create stronger alloys, reducing the softness of the gold, and making the jewelry pieces more affordable. The metals used to create the different alloys give the gold different colors.
- Yellow gold. You already know that pure gold is yellow, which is the metal’s natural color. You’ll find that gold-filled jewelry and gold-plated jewelry also appear yellow, even If the intensity of the color is slightly reduced.
- White gold. White gold jewelry pieces look more like bright silver. The alloy is made of gold and white metals, such as manganese, nickel, or palladium. These metals are stronger than yellow gold.
- Rose gold. Many people are enamored with the gold alloy’s pinkish color. Rose gold, which shows a dainty pink blush, is a combination of 14k gold and copper. If you found a rose gold jewelry item labeled Crown Gold, this means that the alloy is made with 25% copper and 75% gold. With its wonderful hue, rose gold became an in-demand gold alloy for engagement rings.
- Green gold. Consider yourself lucky if you can buy jewelry items in green gold, which is quite rare. Green gold is achieved when silver is mixed with 14k or 18k gold. In some instances, the gold is mixed with zinc or cadmium plus silver. The appearance is bright greenish-yellow and is very complimentary for green stones such as peridot and emerald. Green gold is quite expensive. It is made in laboratories, which makes it quite rare.
You now know the different colors of gold. Make sure that you buy only from a reputable vendor, whether you are purchasing from an onsite store or an online shop. Doing so will ensure that you are buying high-caliber jewelry pieces that are made from superior quality metals and other materials. One thing you should do is to compare prices before making the final decision. Likewise, it would be beneficial to know which color of gold will complement your skin tone and even your hair color.
