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Understanding Gold Terminology : Gold jewelry never goes out of style, and for good reason, because gold is as wearer-friendly as it is beautiful. Pure gold doesn't react with other elements to create tarnish, the residue that accumulates on some metals before transferring to your skin as a stain. Sometimes people have allergy or staining problems with metals that are combined with gold, but the gold itself is rarely a problem. Gold can be worked into nearly any shape, from tiny strands that do not break easily to very thin sheets. One ounce of gold can even be hammered into an ultra thin sheet that's ten feet square. Gold can be manipulated nearly any way the artisan desires.
How Pure Is Your Gold Jewelry?
Chances are the ring on your finger is marked 18K, 14K, or 10K, with the K standing for karat, the system used to describe the percentage of pure gold an item contains.
24K gold is pure gold.
•18K gold contains 18 parts gold and 6 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 75% gold.
•14K gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 58.3% gold.
•12K gold contains 12 parts gold and 12 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 50% gold.
•10K gold contains 10 parts gold and 14 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 41.7% gold. 10K gold is the minimum karat that can be called "gold" in the United States.
Why Are Other Metals Mixed With Gold?
You'll find examples of pure gold jewelry, but pure gold is soft and isn't practical for daily wear. Other metals are mixed with it to make it more durable (and to lower its cost). Adding other metals to the mix also allows metallurgists to change the color of gold. Palladium or nickel can be added to create white gold. Adding copper produces a rose or pink tint, while silver gives gold a greenish cast. When metals are added to the gold the result is an alloy, a blended mixture of the metals that you can think of as a very expensive cake batter.
Solid gold is a term that can be used to describe an item that's at least 10K (in the US) gold all the way through. Even though it's a gold alloy--18K, 14K, or anything down to 10K--it can be called solid gold.
When Gold Is Used as a Coating There are many ways to mechanically apply a coating of gold onto a much less expensive metal, reducing the item's cost. The thicker the layer of gold, the less likely it is to wear away easily and expose the metal underneath.
Gold Filled Jewelry Newer gold filled items have markings that indicate how much and what type of gold was used for the layer. A marking that says 1/20 12K G.F. means that the jewelry is at least 1/20th 12K gold by weight.
Gold Plated Jewelry The gold layer in gold plated jewelry is typically thinner than the gold in gold filled jewelry, so it usually wears away more quickly. Plating is done in different ways. You might see terms such as gold washed used to describe a very thin layer of gold--one that won't be very durable.
So What Should You Buy?
Solid gold is durable, so it is a better choice for jewelry you'll wear regularly. If you have allergies to nickel or other metals, choose items that have high gold content, such as 18K or 22K gold jewelry.
Gold filled or plated jewelry is suitable for jewelry that you wear occasionally. Everyday use would eventually diminish the gold layer, exposing the metal below, which might stain your skin or cause an allergic reaction. For pieces that will last a lifetime and beyond, buy the highest quality gold your budget allows.
Sterling Silver. Silver has been used to make jewelry since ancient times, but the exploration of continents in the western hemisphere uncovered more productive silver mines than Europeans had ever seen. More silver has been mined and used since the late 1700's than in all prior centuries combined.
What is Sterling Silver?
Silver is a soft metal in its pure form, too soft to be used for jewelry and other items, so it's mixed with other metals to make it more durable. A popular silver mixture, called an alloy, is known as sterling silver. The US Federal Trade Commission, FTC, dictates that jewelry sold in the US cannot be marked or described as silver, solid silver, sterling silver, sterling, or using the abbreviation Ster. unless it contains at least 92.5 percent pure silver. The minimum silver content is also stated as 925 parts per thousand of pure silver. Copper is the most common metal used to round out the 7.5 percent alloy balance. It adds hardness to pure silver, but brings with a tendency to tarnish--a darkening that occurs when sterling silver reacts with gases in the air or with other substances that it comes in contact with.
Cleaning Your Sterling Silver Jewelry
Silver may be cleaned with a phosphate free detergent. A low abrasive cleaner, such as 3M Tarni-Shield Silver Polish, is a good choice for removing light tarnish. Most silver experts do not recommend you use toothpaste to clean your sterling silver jewelry because they feel it is too abrasive and can dull the piece. Sterling silver jewelry that is worn continually often develops a pretty patina, a kind of glow that's combined with darkened areas. If you like the look, leave it alone. If you prefer a bright and shiny look, use polish to restore the jewelry to its original appearance.
How do I care for my gold jewelry?
You could take good care of your jewelry by following a few simple steps: • Avoid contact with soap, perfume, cosmetics and hairspray. • Take chains and bracelets off at night, and store them flat to prevent them from breaking. • Use a gentle soft cloth to polish gold jewelry after wearing.
How Pure Is Your Gold Jewelry?
Chances are the ring on your finger is marked 18K, 14K, or 10K, with the K standing for karat, the system used to describe the percentage of pure gold an item contains.
24K gold is pure gold.
•18K gold contains 18 parts gold and 6 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 75% gold.
•14K gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 58.3% gold.
•12K gold contains 12 parts gold and 12 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 50% gold.
•10K gold contains 10 parts gold and 14 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 41.7% gold. 10K gold is the minimum karat that can be called "gold" in the United States.
Why Are Other Metals Mixed With Gold?
You'll find examples of pure gold jewelry, but pure gold is soft and isn't practical for daily wear. Other metals are mixed with it to make it more durable (and to lower its cost). Adding other metals to the mix also allows metallurgists to change the color of gold. Palladium or nickel can be added to create white gold. Adding copper produces a rose or pink tint, while silver gives gold a greenish cast. When metals are added to the gold the result is an alloy, a blended mixture of the metals that you can think of as a very expensive cake batter.
Solid gold is a term that can be used to describe an item that's at least 10K (in the US) gold all the way through. Even though it's a gold alloy--18K, 14K, or anything down to 10K--it can be called solid gold.
When Gold Is Used as a Coating There are many ways to mechanically apply a coating of gold onto a much less expensive metal, reducing the item's cost. The thicker the layer of gold, the less likely it is to wear away easily and expose the metal underneath.
Gold Filled Jewelry Newer gold filled items have markings that indicate how much and what type of gold was used for the layer. A marking that says 1/20 12K G.F. means that the jewelry is at least 1/20th 12K gold by weight.
Gold Plated Jewelry The gold layer in gold plated jewelry is typically thinner than the gold in gold filled jewelry, so it usually wears away more quickly. Plating is done in different ways. You might see terms such as gold washed used to describe a very thin layer of gold--one that won't be very durable.
So What Should You Buy?
Solid gold is durable, so it is a better choice for jewelry you'll wear regularly. If you have allergies to nickel or other metals, choose items that have high gold content, such as 18K or 22K gold jewelry.
Gold filled or plated jewelry is suitable for jewelry that you wear occasionally. Everyday use would eventually diminish the gold layer, exposing the metal below, which might stain your skin or cause an allergic reaction. For pieces that will last a lifetime and beyond, buy the highest quality gold your budget allows.
Sterling Silver. Silver has been used to make jewelry since ancient times, but the exploration of continents in the western hemisphere uncovered more productive silver mines than Europeans had ever seen. More silver has been mined and used since the late 1700's than in all prior centuries combined.
What is Sterling Silver?
Silver is a soft metal in its pure form, too soft to be used for jewelry and other items, so it's mixed with other metals to make it more durable. A popular silver mixture, called an alloy, is known as sterling silver. The US Federal Trade Commission, FTC, dictates that jewelry sold in the US cannot be marked or described as silver, solid silver, sterling silver, sterling, or using the abbreviation Ster. unless it contains at least 92.5 percent pure silver. The minimum silver content is also stated as 925 parts per thousand of pure silver. Copper is the most common metal used to round out the 7.5 percent alloy balance. It adds hardness to pure silver, but brings with a tendency to tarnish--a darkening that occurs when sterling silver reacts with gases in the air or with other substances that it comes in contact with.
Cleaning Your Sterling Silver Jewelry
Silver may be cleaned with a phosphate free detergent. A low abrasive cleaner, such as 3M Tarni-Shield Silver Polish, is a good choice for removing light tarnish. Most silver experts do not recommend you use toothpaste to clean your sterling silver jewelry because they feel it is too abrasive and can dull the piece. Sterling silver jewelry that is worn continually often develops a pretty patina, a kind of glow that's combined with darkened areas. If you like the look, leave it alone. If you prefer a bright and shiny look, use polish to restore the jewelry to its original appearance.
How do I care for my gold jewelry?
You could take good care of your jewelry by following a few simple steps: • Avoid contact with soap, perfume, cosmetics and hairspray. • Take chains and bracelets off at night, and store them flat to prevent them from breaking. • Use a gentle soft cloth to polish gold jewelry after wearing.
MOSS BEACH ARTWORKS
Handmade Contemporary Designer Jewelry
Sterling Silver-14K Gold-Mixed Metals-Gemstones photo by; George Post