Whether you are buying gold jewelry for yourself or as a gift for someone else, it can be a big decision. Knowing about gold and what determines its quality will help make your purchasing decision easier.

First it is important to know some basics about gold jewelry. Pure gold is naturally yellow. However, pure gold is too soft to make jewelry out of. Because of this pure gold is often combined with other metals the result is an alloy that comes in a variety of colors.

The amount of pure gold in a piece of jewelry is measure in karats. 24 karat gold is considered pure gold. It is 99.999 percent pure. Gold that is 100 percent pure does exist; however, it is practically possible to refine and is therefore not usually used in jewelry.

18 karat gold is 75 percent pure gold and 25 percent other metals. 14 karat gold is made of 58.3 percent pure gold and is currently the most popular gold karat jewelry purchased in the United States. 12 karat gold is comprised of 50 percent pure gold. 10 karat gold is made up of 41.7 percent pure gold and is currently the minimum amount of karats required to still be considered gold in the United States.

Most gold jewelry in the United States will be marked with its karat quality, though there is no law requiring it. Somewhere one the piece is the karat mark. This is a registered trademark of the maker of the piece.

In Europe, the jewelry is marked with a number indicating which percentage of it that is actually gold. For example, a 14 karat gold piece is marked with the numbers 585 to indicate that the 58.5 percent of the piece is pure gold.

Jewelry can also be gold plated. This means that a layer of gold covers a lesser quality base metal. While this will lower the cost of the piece it is important to realize that the gold layer may eventually wear of, significantly reducing the value of your jewelry.

Gold filled jewelry is similar to gold plated, except the layer of gold is generally thicker. How much and which type of gold is usually marked on the jewelry. Keep in mind that while this layer of gold may last longer it will eventually wear off as well.

Gold washed jewelry is similar to gold plated but the layer of gold is extremely thin and almost always wears off to expose the lesser quality base metals.

When making your gold purchase you should try to purchase solid gold, or gold with the highest karat count your budget will allow. This will insure that your purchase is high in quality and durable.

While gold plated or gold-filled jewelry is okay to wear on occasion, it should not be purchased as everyday wear. This is because once the gold layer is eroded the base metal beneath may cause stains on your skin or a more serious allergic reaction. The piece will no longer have aesthetic appeal and its value will have completely deteriorated.

If you are buying gold jewelry with stone insets you should also consider the condition and quality of the stone when deciding on your purchase. The seller should be able to provide you with a certificate of authenticity. This certificate should be from the Gemological Institute of America or the American Gem Society.

Whether buying your gold jewelry online, through a catalog or at a jewelry store it is important to make your purchase from a reputable dealer. Look for discounted rates and good deals that do not compromise the quality of the product.

Related posts:

1. These Karats Can’t Be Dug Up: Gold Standards for Jewelry Today
2. Understanding a Few Things before Buying Solid Gold Jewelry
3. Green without Envy: Why Jewelry Sometimes Turns Your Skin Colors
4. The Breakdown of Alloys that Give Gold Its Colors
5. How Do White Gold Bracelets Differ from Platinum?

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