When Buying Gold Jewelry, What To Look For?

Gold jewelry has never gone out of style and continues to be a popular choice. Unlike inferior alloy blends, pure gold jewelry does not discolor or tarnish. If someone has an issue with discoloration on their skin, it is usually due to their body, not the gold.

Gold is extremely flexible, allowing it to be formed into almost any shape, including tiny hair strands and thin sheets. Purity is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing gold jewelry. This factor is identified by a universal system in the jewelry industry.

The ring on your finger is probably marked 18K, 14K, or 10K, with the K standing for karat, which is a system for describing the percentage of pure gold in an object. Gold jewelry with a higher karat number contains a higher percentage of gold.

Pure gold is 24K gold. 18K gold is 75 percent gold and contains 18 parts gold and 6 parts one or more other metals. 14K gold is 58.3 percent gold and contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts one or more other metals. 12K gold is made up of 12 parts gold and 12 parts one or more other metals, making it 50% gold. 10K gold is 41.7 percent gold and contains 10 parts gold and 14 parts one or more other metals.

In the United States, 10K gold is the minimum karat that can be called "gold." The karat designation on your gold jewelry should be accompanied by a hallmark or trademark that identifies its creator. For example, 18K gold is stamped 750 to represent 75 percent gold, 14K gold is marked 585 for 58.5 percent, and 12K gold is marked 417 for 41.7 percent.

The country of origin of the item may also be included. Pure gold jewelry is available, but pure gold is delicate and unsuitable for everyday wear. It is combined with other metals to make it more durable (and to lower its cost).

Solid gold is more durable, making it a superior choice for everyday jewelry. If you're allergic to nickel or other metals, opt for gold jewelry with high gold content, such as 18K or 22K gold.