With the earliest known use of gold in jewellery dating back to approximately 3000 BC, in the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, there can be no doubt that gold is the most traditional metal used in jewellery.
Gold’s inherent beauty combined with the relative ease with which craftsmen fashion it into stunning jewellery pieces has made gold the most popular metal to be used in jewellery. While gold has been used as a currency, a symbol of wealth or even for religious practices, it has always been used in mankind's creations of beauty.
Karats and PurityKarats are simply the percentage of gold in a peace of jewellery. The established categories for gold karats and their gold percentage are:
- 24 karats – 100% gold
- 22 karats – 91.7% gold
- 18 karats – 75% gold
- 14 karats – 58.35% gold
- 12 karats – 50% gold
- 10 karats – 41.7% gold
Clearly it can be understood that if gold jewellery were valued solely on the basis of karats, then gold jewellery with high karats would be more valuble then a piece with low karats.
As gold is a malleable and soft metal, the higher the karatage the softer the gold.. As such 24 karat gold is not suitable for the manufacture of jewellery and most jewellery is made out of 22, 18 and 14 karat gold. The added strength of 22, 18 and 14 karat gold jewellery is as a result of it being alloyed, to varying degrees, with other metals, such as silver, copper, nickel and zinc.
Although 14 karat gold provides greater strength, 18 karat gold is considered as a perfect natural balance between value and the strength of jewellery. 18 karat gold is a favorite for engagement rings, earrings and necklaces.
The gold karatage of jewellery is expressed by a number such as "18" or "750" (75% gold), followed by a "k". The country of origin may also be indicated. While gold jewellery does exist in the lower karats such as 12, 10 and 9 their popularity is limited and is often challenged as "gold" in terms of various industrial guidelines.
Colour- Yellow Gold
Alloyed with silver and copper, yellow gold is the most frequently used colour of gold. It is pliable and supple with a high melting point and usually not susceptible to compression.
- White Gold
The high reflectivity and whiteness of white gold is the result of plating by rhodium, a hard metal. Silver and other metals are also added to white gold. White gold is not subject to tarnish but normal wearing may cause the rhodium plating to tarnish. Simple re-plating can restore a tarnished white gold jewellery piece.
- Rose Gold
The distinct pink colour of rose gold is due to the large proportion of copper, usually one part copper to three parts 24 karat gold. Increasingly popular rose gold provides a lovely alternative to the traditional gold colours.
PriceWhile karatage is a key factor in pricing gold pieces, other factors, such as gram weight, design and craftsmanship will also affect price. A well designed and crafted piece of gold jewellery will make the piece more durable, comfortable and usually, more valuable. In addition a custom-made design, or extra strength clasp may also add to the price of a piece. A further factor affecting price may be the inclusion of intricate details into the gold.
CareGold can be cleaned in a solution of soap and water or with jewellery cleaning compounds. A lint cloth is suggested as even a soft-bristled brush may cause scratching on high karat (softer) pieces of jewellery.
Chlorine can cause gold to dissolve or become scarred. As such gold jewellery should be removed before swimming or coming into contact with most household cleaning agents.
All jewellery should be stored in fabric-lined box or individual cloth bag to prevent chipping and scratching against other pieces.