Gold
With its beautiful color and unique versatility, it's no wonder gold has been a valued metal for jewelry for hundreds of years. Pure gold or 24K gold is far too soft to be used for jewelry so it is combined with other metals, referred to as alloys, to increase its strength. Depending on the alloys used to strengthen the gold, the color of pure gold can change to white, pink and even green. The standard measurement of gold is the Karat (not to be confused with the diamond Carat).
Minimum Gold Content
To be called gold, there are minimum measurements gold content required. The minimum requirements of gold content vary from country to country however, in the United States items must be at least 10 K gold, England and Canada must be at least 9K gold and Italy and France it is 18K.
What causes skin discoloration with some gold jewelry?
Pure gold does not change in color or tarnish and it won't discolor the skin. However, when alloys are used to mix with gold, the gold can change and oxidize. Also, the fat and acids in the perspiration of an individual can initiate this change in gold. It usually gets worse in warm and damp areas where there is more salt and moisture in the air. Sometimes, even women’s makeup can aggravate this problem.
How to solve discoloration in gold?
1. Make a habit of removing jewelry often to clean the skin and jewelry.
2. Use a soft cloth to wipe and clean jewelry to remove tarnish.
3. Try to switch to higher gold content jewelry. For example, if you have a gold discoloration problem in 14k gold, try to switch it to 18k gold.
What’s the difference between gold coating and solid gold?
Jewelry or items less than solid 14k gold are usually considered to be costume jewelry. Anything less than 10k is definitely is costume jewelry. Also you may run into terms such as “gold plated” or “vermeil jewelry”. Vermeil jewelry is separated into two groups: vintage or antique jewelry and jewelry from abroad.
Vermeil itself means the item is coated with gold on top of bronze, brass, copper or other cheaper metals.
Here is a simple diagram for you to understand difference between types of gold:
When “gold-filled” is referred to, it means 1/20th of the total weight of the item or more is solid gold. So in a sense, “gold-filled” jewelry is considered to be better than “gold plated” jewelry. Gold plated jewelry is consists of 100 millionths of an inch chemically and electronically plated with gold. If your jewelry is a “gold-flashed” or a “gold-washed” it means that its plating is thinner than 7 millionths of an inch.
Platinum
Platinum has become an extremely popular metal for creating fine jewelry, especially for rings. Its natural white color is a beautiful complement to a diamond’s brilliance and fire, while its rarity as a metal also makes it exceedingly valuable. In comparison to gold, platinum is five times as rare and weighs much more. It is also tarnish-resistant and hypoallergenic. Platinum is a naturally white metal, but unlike gold it is used in jewelry in nearly its pure form (approximately 95% pure). Platinum is extremely long lasting and durable, and due to its natural white color it does not need to be rhodium plated like white gold. Platinum is a very dense and heavy metal, so a platinum ring will feel heavier than an 18kt gold ring.
Platinum weddings bands are significantly more expensive than gold wedding bands. With all factors of design and size being the same, a platinum ring will be approximately twice the price of an 18kt white gold ring.
Platinum is an excellent purchase and is often chosen for its sophisticated look and popularity amongst the rich and famous. Platinum is normally not used in the full range of jewelry products due to its higher worth. Platinum is mainly used in men’s and ladies engagement rings, ladies wedding rings and men's wedding rings.
Other Metals
Aside from gold and platinum there are several other beautiful metals used for jewelry. Titanium, stainless steel and tungsten have recently gained popularity. Titanium is a lightweight metal admired for its supreme strength. Stainless steel is less likely to rust and tarnish than other metals. Tungsten is also a very strong metal that's resistant to corrosion and easy to maintain.
Metal Care
When it comes to caring for your new ring, it's important to remember that every metal is different. While little maintenance is needed for durable metals such as tungsten, other metals require some attention. For instance, platinum is a strong metal but is susceptible to micro scratching. Getting your platinum buffed every six months is recommended. You can also remove build-up with jewelry cleaner or mild soap and water.
Gold is another metal that needs gentle care. Soap film easily builds on the surface of gold, so it's best to remove your gold jewelry before showering or using household cleaners or chemicals. Chlorine has also been known weaken gold, causing it to break more easily. Placing your gold jewelry in a solution containing a few drops of ammonia, mild detergent and warm water will bring back its shine. Rubbing alcohol can also be used to remove grease and body oil from gold jewelry.
