Considered one of the most prestigious metals on the precious metals market, along with silver and platinum, gold is a metal of great value that was first discovered at the end of prehistory. Humans are believed to have begun using it nearly 7,000 years ago.
Once used as a medium of exchange, humanity’s fascination withgold continues to this day. It leaves its mark on the world through its brilliance, durability, great hardness, density, and timeless appeal.
According to the Maison Vessière in Baccarat, a retailer of the world’s leading crystal manufacturers, it is important to educate customers on this topic, as many customers looking for a bargain end up buying 9-karat gold bracelets without realizing it.
Gold is a precious metal that is unique for its sun-like luster, its resistance to oxidation, and its rarity. Mined deep within the Earth, near the Earth’s core, gold bears witness to a rich history marked by the conquest of the South American continent and the California Gold Rush in the late 19th century.
While pure, unrefined gold is yellow in color, it can come in a variety of shades depending on its composition. To give the precious metal greater luster and durability, it must be mixed with other metals such as palladium, zinc,silver, rhodium, and copper. These are called “gold alloys.”
Among the most popular types of gold used by jewelry makers are:
Sinceyellow gold is the most common type of gold, it is considered the color that most closely resembles the natural color of the precious metal. To make it harder or more durable, it is common to alloy it with other metals such as copper and silver.
Its incomparable golden luster makes yellow gold the ideal material for wedding and engagement rings.
White gold is a type of gold that exudes luxury and elegance. It is made by alloying gold with metals in silvery-white tones, such as nickel,silver, and palladium.
The combination of precious metal and nickel is particularly popular in jewelry making, such as for wedding rings and brooches. It makes gold more durable.
Rose gold is a precious metal obtained by alloying gold, copper, and silver. Once very popular in Russia, this type of gold, also known as “Crown Gold”, is currently making a comeback.
Red gold is similar to rose gold, but has a higher copper content. First appearing in the 19th century, red gold jewelry has a maximum purity of 18 karats, consisting of 75% fine gold and 25% copper.
Unique, vintage, and trendy all at once, this type of gold is especially popular with women.
There are also gold alloys that can be used to create coins and jewelry in green and black gold, but these shades of gold are not very popular.
Gold is a precious yellow metal whose quality, value, and purity are measured in carats (k). Invented in England around the 14th century, this unit of measurement indicates the weight or amount of pure gold present in the alloy of a given piece of jewelry.
The rule is simple: “The higher the carat weight (number of carats), the higher the quality of the gold and the higher its price, both when buying and selling.”
The common names for each type of gold are as follows:
It is the rarest and purest form of precious metal available for purchase on the precious metals market. It consists of 99.9% pure yellow gold and natural gold nuggets.
However, 24-karat gold is not a suitable material for jewelry making. Because it is too soft and not very malleable, it is mainly used in the production of coins and gold bars.
The hallmark of this variety of pure gold isa seahorse facing to the right.
Also known as 750-th gold, 18-karat gold is the type of gold with the highest gold content in the jewelry industry, at nearly 75%. Renowned as the most refined and durable of all golds, this solid gold is the most commonly used by prestigious French jewelers to craft jewelry.
This type of gold is the perfect choice for engagement rings and earrings. Set with diamonds and other precious stones, 18-karat gold brings out the beauty of these exquisite pieces.
Its hallmark is the number “750.”
This type of gold is classified as a gold alloy, not assolid gold. This is because it consists of 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% other metals.
Since it contains more alloys than pure, genuine gold, it is sold at a price that is significantly lower than that of 18-karat gold jewelry, for example.
Its hallmark is shaped like a scallop shell.
Like 14-karat gold, 9-karat gold is not classified assolid gold, but rather as a gold alloy. It is similar to vermeil, gold-plated, gold-filled, and other materials commonly used in the manufacture of costume jewelry.
It consists of 37.5% pure gold mixed with 62.5% other metals.
While very affordable, 9-karat gold jewelry tends to tarnish over time. It is therefore not recommended for use in engagement rings and other high-end jewelry.
Its hallmark depicts a three-leaf clover surrounded by a border.
The difference between the various types of gold is also easy to see with the naked eye. While 24k gold and 18k gold differ in their gold content, their colors are also different.
24k gold has a brighter luster and a more vivid yellow color, while 18k gold is less vibrant. In terms of durability, 24-karat gold is much too soft, whereas 18-karat gold is more durable and sturdy.
Once the material has been tested for color, there are other tests that can be used to distinguish high-value gold jewelry from counterfeits and costume jewelry.
This is particularly true of hallmarks. It is essential to verify that the piece of jewelry bears a hallmark, the mark that indicates the origin of the gold jewelry as well as its purity.
Once the hallmark has been verified, you can use themagnet or ceramic test to authenticate your gold jewelry.
Because gold is not a magnetic metal, it should not move closer to the magnet when you bring them into contact. If it does, you are dealing with a counterfeit coin.
Another method is to find a piece of unglazed ceramic. Rub the gold jewelry against its surface. If a gold mark appears on the jewelry or object, it is indeed gold. However, if the mark is black, it means it is not gold.
It should be noted, however, that a certificate of authenticity issued by a jeweler remains the most reliable way to verify the provenance and quality of a piece of gold jewelry.
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