| In the mineral community, precious metals are measured in ounces. However, the ounce system is not the same system which we are familiar with of 16 ounces to a pound. Gold is instead measured in what is called the ancient troy standard. This standard is also still used by pharmacists and in other areas of the medical profession today. |
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Karat in most English speaking countries is actually spelt as “Carat.” However in the U.S. the term “Carat” is used to measure gem stone weights, such as a 1 carat diamond. The word carat is derived from the ancients when it was used to refer to the carob plant. The carob plant was actually used as a counter weight to measure the weight of gemstones by using the carob plant's seeds. One carob seed weighted about 200 milligrams.
14K Gold
Purity of gold is quantified in measurements of one up to twenty-four. 24 karat, shown as 24K, is the purest form of the metal and represents the purity of gold when it is dug out of the ground in nuggets. Anything less than 24K gold is mixed with alloys to strengthen or color the gold for practical use in jewelry, gold plating, tools and many other forms. Therefore, when you hear a reference to 14k gold, it simply means 14/24 karat which is 58.5% of gold and 41.5% alloy. The more alloys that are added to gold, lower the content of gold karat, the stronger the gold metal becomes. 14K is desirable for its durability and strength in everyday jewelry for this very reason.
18K Gold
In much the same respect as 14K gold, 18K gold is a mixture of gold and other alloys to give it the necessary strength to be utilized for fine jewelry. Therefore when you hear the measurement of 18K gold, it simply means 18/24 karat which is 75% of gold and 25% alloys. 18K gold is softer than the 14K gold used in jewelry, but it is preferred by many as the more precious and valuable of the two for its higher gold content.
What is Gold?
Gold, referred to as the element Au, was one of the first known metals. The gold standard defines the world's currency system, whereby money represents a value in:
24 karat = 100% gold Too soft for jewelry
22 karat = 91.7% gold Very soft and not recommended for jewelry
18 karat = 75.0% gold Recommended for fine jewelry
14 karat = 58.3% gold Recommended for daily wear jewelry
12 karat = 50.0% gold Not acceptable for jewelry
10 karat = 41.7% gold The legal karat limit considered as real gold in the United States
Remember, Gold won't tarnish, rust, or corrode, and though it's very strong it is also the most malleable of all metals.
Purity
Pure gold is too soft to withstand the stresses of every-day wear, so it is alloyed with a mixture of metals like silver, copper, nickel, and zinc to give it strength and durability. Gold Karat, noted by a number followed by the letter "k" indicates the gold purity, or how much of the metal is actually composed of gold. Gold Karat is expressed in 24ths. Therefore, when referring to 24k gold you can also think of the piece as 100% gold.
Gold Colors
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The color of gold is determined by two factors:
• The type of metal alloys mixed with the gold
• The percentage of each metal alloy |
Yellow Gold When shopping for fine jewelry at
Wedding Bands Wholesale, you'll find a beautiful selection of 18k and 14k yellow gold. 18k gold contains more precious metal than 14k gold. It is composed of 75% gold, which is alloyed with other metals to make it strong enough to withstand every-day wear. By comparison, 14k gold is composed of only 58.3% gold, and 41.7% alloys to give it added strength.
Therefore its yellow gold color is not as rich as the 18k yellow gold. 14k gold is most commonly used in jewelry where strength is most important, like in earring backs and bracelet clasps. In daily wear jewelry, 14K gold is recommended for durability and long lasting strength.
White Gold Because
18k white gold is 75% gold, and 14k white gold is 58.3% gold, jewelry made from these metals still has a slight yellow color. To enhance the whiteness, almost all white gold is plated with rhodium. Rhodium is from the same family as Platinum and is a naturally white, shiny metal which is also extremely hard.
Depending on the amount of wear to a piece of jewelry, over time this rhodium plating may wear off, revealing the original gold metal color. The ring will have the appearance of a blurred yellow and white gold. Re-plating is a simple process that can be done to restore your jewelry's whiteness if needed, and we recommend white gold rings are re-plated when the first signs of wear begin to show to ensure the beauty and strength of your white gold ring.
Rose Gold
Rose gold is a type of gold that appears rosy or pinky in color. Rose gold is a unique and beautiful way to add something special and personal to your ring. Rose gold is not the color of the gold when the gold gets mined from the ground; rather it gets its color from a larger proportion of copper in the metal alloys when mixed with the pure gold.
The gold takes on the color of the dominant alloy it has been mixed with (in this case copper), and this is what gives the gold a beautiful pink color.
Care
Keep your gold jewelry away from harsh chemicals such as chlorine and cleaning fluids. This will reduce daily abrasions or scratching and prolong the gold's luster and shine. To clean gold jewelry, use a solution of warm water and detergent-free soap and wash gold gently with a soft-bristled brush (a dull tooth brush works well too). Be sure to store gold pieces separately in soft cloth bags or in the original boxes to protect them from the exposure to harsh daily elements.
