Learn More about the Different Types of Gold Jewelry

Throughout history, gold jewelry’s impressive beauty inspired countless legends. Today its the first choice all around the world because of its ability to be molded and shaped into an indefinite number of luxurious designs.

Gold is extracted by mining, but in earlier times it could be found in river beds in the mountains and, usually around the mines, and was extracted through sieving with sand, by using water as a fluid filter. Sometimes, the shape of natural gold nuggets found is so beautiful and special that even the most accomplished jewelers could not pour out a form as beautiful as that given to him by Mother Nature. Today around 1,500 tons are extracted annually. With its yellow natural color, it has the main quality of not corroding. In its pure form, it's too soft to be used for jewelry and in order to become harder it is mixed with other metals.

The purity of it is measured in carats, a designation used to indicate the percentage of pure gold, which is also known as fine gold. In pure form, 100%  means 24 carats and is more expensive, but softer and therefore less durable than 18 carats, containing 75% fine gold (750‰, which means 750 parts per 1,000 parts of fine gold alloy), or than the 14 carats, which contains 58.3 to 58.5% fine gold (583-585‰, meaning 583 or 585 parts per 1,000 parts of fine gold alloy). When it comes to jewelry, the more carats they have, the higher is the price.

To estimate the price the following factors are important: the number of carats, the number and quality of the stones, how they are fitted, as well as the design of the jewelry. In some states the law prohibits selling this under a specific number of carats – for example, in the U.S. one can not sell gold that is less than 10 karats. The laws of different states also require the marking of gold jewelry in various forms, to indicate the number of carats. In Europe, the most popular and common type is 18K, while in the U.S. the best-selling is14k.

The yellow color can be easily changed by alloying it with nickel or copper in different concentrations. The addition of a higher concentration of nickel results in white gold jewelry, while the addition of a higher concentration of copper results in pink gold, also known as red gold. However it is very important to know that regardless of the final color, the same number of karat it comes for the same price per gram, a price difference not being justifiable.

Yellow gold jewelry

Yellow gold is the most common colors and is created by alloying gold with silver, copper and zinc. The resulting color reflects the natural color of pure gold. Yellow and white are of about the same strength and durability for the same number of karats. Again, it is not the color the factor that influences the price. Yellow jewelry highlights, through the nature of its color, any mount with precious stones, and can be finished after case, both matte and gloss. Many of the products available are engagement rings, wedding rings, Necklaces, bracelets, anklets, bangles, earrings some come with diamonds, pearls set into them.

White gold jewelry

White gold is created by alloying it with nickel, copper and zinc, nickel being the main component of the alloy next to gold, rendering the white color. This jewelry can also be obtained by alloying it with a higher proportion of silver, this being a viable alternative for those who are sensitive to nickel.

The primary qualities of it are its enhanced reflectivity and the fact that it is more resistant in time. For protecting the reflexivity qualities on the long term a coating of rhodium is used, this coating not affecting the value of the metal. Similarly to the yellow, white can also be matte or glossy.

Pink gold jewelry

Pink gold jewelry is based on an alloy of gold and copper and less silver. The result is yellow with a pinkish-red hue. Pink is often used by jewelers for making jewelry in three colors, as it consists of three structural parts of different colors, yellow, white and pink. Pink jewelry, as well as yellow jewelry, is very compatible with stones like emerald, sapphire (fantasy colored) and rubies.

There are no limits when it comes to the possible combinations of gold in different colors, in glossy or matte finishes, with precious stones in different colors, with various designs, giving many options to jewelers, designers, and clients for gold jewelry.

What To Look For When Shopping

as you know have a better understanding it then gets into the importance of what type you particularly like. It really depends on the design and style that you like as a customer as to what you are going to purchase. Many items can be fashion or religious for example and you will see many different offers available in the marketplace to entice you into purchasing.

Having a really good understanding of how gold is made and where it comes from really help you. You will come across gold chains, gold earrings, gold bracelets, 14k gold and so many other types that are available.

If you're going to purchase online make sure that you purchase from a reputable company. Don't forget to check any extra shipping charges and return policies. Many companies will have a really nice collection in the women's range and men's range. Make sure you also check pricing and read some reviews to ensure that you are very happy what you are going to purchase. There are so many gold jewelry items to choose from but you need to make sure that you understand everything and have your research done.

Purchasing a gift can be a wonderful experience because it will give you the opportunity to look around and see exactly what is available. Many items in stores will have a high polish finish and do expect this to use overtime.