Gold Jewelry guide

Gold will not tarnish, rust, or decay. Though it is a durable substance, it is also the most malleable of all metals. Gold is such a flexible and elastic material, that a single ounce can be hammered into 300 square feet. The top three gold producing countries are South Africa, United States, and Australia, respectively. Gold is one of the most desired metals across the world.

Measurement

Karats (with a "K") are actually a measure of the percentage of gold to alloy contained in gold Jewelry. Pure gold, the 24-karat variety, is too soft to make quality Jewelry out of. So it's mixed with other alloy metals such as copper and silver, for strength. The purity of gold is measured in carats.

24 karat = 100% gold

18 karat = 75.0% gold

14 karat = 58.5% gold

10 karat = 41.7% gold

It is important when buying a gold piece of Jewelry to take into consideration how much the Jewelry will be worn. If it is believed that the piece will be worn every day, a lower karat would be more beneficial than a higher karat. For those with allergies the higher the concentration of nickel in a piece of gold Jewelry, the more likely it is that someone with allergies will react to the piece.

Color

Yellow

White

Rose

Two Tone

Gold Plated

Yellow gold is the most common of the three colors because gold comes out of the ground yellow. Yellow gold will vary in shades depending on which country it originates from.

White gold is a little more complex than yellow gold as pure gold is yellow; the color white comes from other elements within the metal. White gold is plated with rhodium. With time the rhodium can fade away, making the white gold Jewelry appears dull. To restore white gold can be re-dipped with rhodium by Ibraggiotti Jewellers, usually at a low cost.

Rose gold appears to have a pinkish hue because it is more concentrated with copper.

Two Tone. Some Jewelry is offered in two, or even three, tones of gold. This usually means it combines white gold with yellow gold to give the piece a unique color appeal.

Yellow Gold Plated Jewelry. Ibraggiotti have a new exciting range that is Sterling Silver with 18ct Yellow Gold plating; the SKUs all begin with ‘AG’. Sterling Silver is comprised of 92.5% pure Silver and 7.5% other metals; in this AG-range the 7.5% other metal component is made-up of 5% pure Gold, and 2.5% other metals. On top of the Sterling Silver, an 18ct Yellow Gold Plating has been applied through an electroplating process; with a thickness of between 2 and 4 microns.

Rings: 4 micron 18ct Yellow Gold Plating

Earrings or Pendants: 2 micron 18ct Yellow Gold Plating

These pieces are of exceptional quality and Ibraggiotti have priced this range to give our customers the Yellow Gold look they desire, without the expense. This range can be re-plated if and when required for a small fee.

Rose Gold Plated Jewelry. Ibraggiotti have a new exciting range that is Sterling Silver with a 9ct Rose Gold plating; the SKUs all begin with ‘PS’. This is a typical Sterling Silver blend, comprised of 92.5% pure Silver and 7.5% other metals. On top of the Sterling Silver, an 9ct Rose Gold Plating has been applied through an electroplating process; with a thickness of between 2 and 4 microns.

Rings: 4 micron 18ct Yellow Gold Plating

Earrings or Pendants: 2 micron 18ct Yellow Gold Plating

These pieces are of exceptional quality and Ibraggiotti have priced this range to give our customers the Rose Gold look they desire, without the expense. This range can be re-plated if and when required for a small fee.

Gold Plated Fashion Jewelry

The most popular plating in the jewelry industry is Rhodium, Gold or Silver plating by electrochemical plating. By large "fashion Jewelry" pieces are plated and these tend to be relatively inexpensive as compared to the ‘real thing’.

Gold plating is a method of depositing a thin layer of Gold onto the surface of another metal. This plating is applied over a base metal (such as brass), a semi-precious metal (such as copper) or a precious metal (such as silver).

Plating on any Jewelry item is only a few microns thick and DOES wear off with normal wear and tear. On some pieces, the plating can be re-applied while on other pieces the plating process cannot be repeated.

Caring for your Gold Jewelry

All Gold Jewelry requires some level of care to ensure it is always looking its best. Cleaning the item from time to time, using Gold Jewelry Cleaner, rinsing in warm water and then polishing with a Gold Polishing Cloth (both available from Ibraggiotti) will ensure your precious Jewelry is clean and free from skin's oils, cosmetics and other chemicals that can reduce the luster of the piece.

Chlorine, bleach and other household chemicals can damage Gold, so they should be avoided. All Jewelry should be removed before sleep, bathing or any other physical activity and be stored separately to avoid accidental damage or scratching. Ibraggiotti Jewellers recommend that all Gold Jewelry be professionally inspected, cleaned and polished annually. In the case of White Gold get your rhodium re-plated at least once a year, to ensure the item is always looking its best.

Mike Cena is a jewelry designer at ibraggiotti and specialist in ichthus wedding rings and fine bridal jewelry visit our online Fine jewelry stores new york for special price and offers.

Mike Cena is a jewelry designer at ibraggiotti and specialist in Diamond Cut Cross Earrings and Diamond religious earrings visit our online Fine jewelry stores new york for special price and offers.