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Gold is one of the
world's most precious metals and dates back to the beginning
of mankind. All great civilizations built up treasuries
of the lustrous metal, reserving golden objects for their
most important rituals.
The most alluring use of the sun-colored metal has always
been in jewelry. The Egyptians, largest producers of gold
in the ancient world, equated gold with the sun, the giver
of life, and reserved its use for pharaohs only. The ancient
Etruscans created meticulously hand-wrought objects using
fine granules and threads of gold, a technique still practiced
today. To this day, Chinese and Indian brides wear jewelry
of 24-karat gold on their wedding day to ensure a lifetime
of good luck and happiness. A gift of gold jewelry says
love and permanence as eloquently today as in all the ages
past.
Characteristics
Gold possesses the perfect combination of beauty, purity, rarity, durability,
and workability that make it a universally treasured possession.
Not only can you alloy gold with small amounts
of other metals to change and enhance its natural color
and increase its strength, but this precious metal can be
re-melted to create new designs as time goes on.
Karats (How to buy Gold)
When buying gold look for the quality mark. Pure gold, or
24-karat, is generally considered too soft for use in jewelry,
so gold is alloyed with other metals to increase its strength.
Eighteen-karat gold (18k) is 18/24ths, or three-quarters,
pure gold. In the United States, 14-karat gold (14k) is
used most commonly for jewelry. Fourteen-karat gold is 14/24ths,
or slightly more than one-half, pure gold. Jewelry of this
fineness is marked "14k" or "585," the
European designation meaning 58.5 percent gold.
Nothing less than 10-karat gold can be legally marked or
sold as gold jewelry in the United States. These pieces
are marked "10k" or "417," the European
designation meaning 41.7 percent gold.
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| Ten-karat |
10K |
417 |
41.7% |
| Fourteen-karat |
14K |
585 |
58.5% |
| Eighteen-karat |
18K |
750 |
75.0% |
| Twenty-four karat |
24K |
999 |
99.9% |
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| Pricing is based on four factors: karatage,
weight, design and craftsmanship. The karatage and
weight tell you how much gold is in a piece, but other crucial
factors determining price are the piece's construction and
design. A price based solely on weight does not reflect the
work that has gone into the piece. It's important to remember
that each piece of gold jewelry is unique and, if cared for
properly, can last a lifetime. |
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Because of its beauty and value, platinum jewelry
has always been given as a special expression of love for
engagements, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and holidays
and it appeals to both men and women.
Because it shows little wear, platinum is ideal for jewelry
that's worn every day. It's also hypoallergenic and resists
tarnish.
How to buy
Platinum?
Platinum is among the finest, purest, rarest, and strongest
of precious metals. In the United States, platinum jewelry
generally contains anywhere from 85 to 95 percent pure platinum.
When buying platinum look to see its markings. If a piece
of platinum jewelry is marked "Platinum," it contains
at least 95 percent pure platinum. Jewelry with 85 to 95 percent
pure platinum is marked “850 Plat."
or "850 Pt.," or "950
Plat." or "950 Pt.,"
etc.
Vintage Jewelry may have IRID% stamped inside. This notes the remaining
15 to 5 percent alloy known as Iridium, which makes up the rest of
Platinum. Jewelry containing less than 50 percent
pure platinum content cannot be marked with the word "platinum"
or any abbreviation thereof
Platinum
Is Rare
To produce a single ounce of finished platinum, a total of
10 tons of ore must be mined. In comparison, only three tons
of ore are required to produce one ounce of gold. This rarity
gives platinum its cachet.
Platinum
Is Lustrous
Platinum's rich, white luster complements diamonds and other
precious gems, while its neutral color enhances a stone's
brilliance and depth. Since a diamond and its setting should
last forever platinum offers a diamond the greatest protection.
The breathtaking radiance of a diamond fused with the timeless
elegance of platinum creates a rare and enduring symbol of
love. |
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| * Source: Jeweler’s
of America, Inc. |
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