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Few metals command the value of gold, a chemical element represented by the symbol Au. Many areas of the world boast the shiny, soft and naturally yellow metal, and great deposits have been found in the South American republic of Colombia. Historians have found evidence of the malleable and ductile substance in the country as early as 325 BC during the time of the Tumaco people. Spanish Conquistadors came for it and it still plays a large part in the economy and lives of the Colombian people.
Gold ore, when discovered in nature, is usually found combined with stones and other metals, such as silver and lead. This natural state does not display gold's aesthetic virtues, nor does it easily permit workers in gold to fashion jewelry. Gold refiners use several different methods to remove these impurities and achieve a high level of purity in the final product. Removing impurities through melting the ore is a method they have used for thousands of years. Other methods have been developed over time as technology has advanced and the refiners' understanding of chemical elements improved.
Humans have made jewelry out of every kind of metal available as far back as history can take us. As new metals became available, they were adapted into jewelry making soon thereafter. Gold is rare, expensive, and highly sought-after as an investment for the future. As of June 2011, 1 troy ounce of gold, which is the equivalent to 31.1034768 grams, can be sold for around $1,554.00 (U.S. dollars). Gold is easy to manipulate and therefore is easily worked, it never tarnishes, and the value of gold will only increase.
The term "karat" is used to determine the level of gold used to create a gold piece of jewelry. Most gold jewelry can be purchased in 18k, 14k or 10k weights. The higher the number of karats in your jewelry, the higher the percentage of gold is used to make your gold jewelry. A 24 karat gold piece is considered pure gold. It is important to note that a karat is not the same as a carat. A carat is used to measure the weight of diamonds and other gemstones.
Gold is one of the most often-used metals in making jewelry. Jewelers value gold for its rich color, softness and rarity. In the United States and Canada, gold purity is measured in units called "karats." Because pure gold is too soft to be made into durable jewelry, almost all gold jewelry is mixed with another metal to increase its hardness and strength. Common varieties such as 10 karat and 14 karat gold, each exhibit different properties based on how much gold content is in them.
Gauging is the practice of stretching the hole in a pierced area, such as the ear, nose, tongue, etc. Special earrings called gauges stretch the hole over time to create a bigger one that can accommodate larger jewelry. The smaller the gauge number, the bigger the hole will be. Gauging is a slow, gradual process that can take years to reach your desired size.
Gold has been prized for ages for its shimmering finish and high shine. Over time, exposure to soaps and the oils from your skin can cause 14k gold to lose its luster. Gold is a very soft metal, so using any sort of abrasive scrub on your jewelry can cause scratches and permanent damage. The best ways to clean 14k gold are methods that call for more soaking than scrubbing.
A ring's setting is as important as the stone it is holding and the metal it is set in. Fourteen-karat gold has a warm, golden shine and is usually the metal of choice for higher quality gemstones. A skilled jewel setter can bring out a gem's best qualities by the way he sets it. There are many types of ring settings, with the prong, channel and bezel being the most popular.
When buying a pair of gold earrings, you've probably heard the word "karat" used in describing them. While you might notice the higher the karat, the higher the price, the karat rating can tell you about many other features of the jewelry. When comparing 10 karat and 14 karat earrings, the karat rating can indicate the amount of pure gold in the pair, as well as how durable and what color they will be.
There are a wide range of precious metals available for use in jewelry, each with its own grading system. Gold is marked in karats, a system that has been around for centuries and has been the standard in the U.S. since the early 20th century. As white gold is not pure gold it can be confusing to work out how the different karat levels affect the quality of the material.
Gold is one of the most expensive metals and one of the most sought after for jewelry. In order to make affordable gold bracelets and necklaces, jewelers use a variety of techniques to cover cheaper metals with a gold surface.
Karat is a word, usually abbreviated with the letter "K" which describes a unit of measurement determining the purity of metals; most often gold. The term karat is combined with a number usually ranging from 10 to 18, the higher the number, the higher the purity of gold.
14K gold alloy is a blend of gold and other metals for use in jewelry and other decorative products. Pure gold, which is the 24K variety, is generally too soft to use in jewelry. Consequently, 14K gold is the most commonly used alloy in the United States.
Gold can be either white or yellow, and both are measured in karats of either 14K or 18K. Pure yellow gold is considered classic gold and is very soft. Gold needs to have other metals added to it to make it hard enough to produce the jewelry. White gold is mixed with white-toned alloys that give it a silver appearance.
Gold has been recognized as a valuable metal for more that 5,000 years. Gold is often mixed with different metals is order to make desired colors of gold or produce a different level of purity. Purity, or the percentage of gold in an alloy, is measured in karat.
Gold fill is created by bonding a thin layer of gold to a thicker core of brass, which itself is an alloy of copper and zinc. Typically, 14K gold (14 karats, the standard for jewelry) is used for the thin layer of gold.
If you plan to sell your gold for scrap, you can determine the amount in grams as long as you know beforehand the number of karats. Measuring in ounces, however, may not be appropriate if your items do not weigh much. If your measurement is off by a mere two-tenths of an ounce, you could miss the true market value by $200. A gram scale can provide the accuracy needed to determine the market value of your gold items.
Gold is a valuable precious metal commonly used in jewelery. Gold is often designated a karat weight, such as 14k, 18k, or 24k. This indicates the purity level of the gold.
A handmade bracelet can make a beautiful gift or add a conversation piece to any wardrobe. You do not have to be an expert jeweler or craftsman to make a bracelet out of 14K gold. In fact, making bracelets out of gold is a wonderful activity for parents with their children and is something your children can have for the rest of their lives to remind them of you.
Calculating what a gram of 14K gold is worth involves several conversions, and you need the most recent price of gold. The weight measurement of grams must be converted to ounces, since the price of gold is always quoted in dollars per ounce. Since 14K gold is not pure gold, the exact percentage of gold contained inside it must also be figured.
