Gold fineness, put simply, reflects the content of pure metal in a given product – be it a gold bar, coin, or jewelry. This content can be expressed in carats or per mille; both forms are correct and commonly used to describe gold. Fineness is key information on which purchase decisions regarding a gold item should be made.
WHY DOES JEWELRY GOLD REQUIRE AN ALLOY?
Pure gold is characterized by a high softness of the material, which makes it easy to dent and scratch. The addition of other metal alloys, so-called “admixtures,” gives gold hardness, allowing the creation of more durable and deformation-resistant products. In the jewelry industry, three basic gold purities are distinguished, most commonly used in jewelry production – 333, 585, and 750. The purity mark, stamped on gold items weighing over 1 gram, is provided by the Assay Office, which examines the metal content in jewelry.
TYPES OF GOLD PURITY
Hallmarks range from 0 to 6, where a 0 mark indicates jewelry made of pure gold, without the addition of other precious metals. It is the rarest hallmark; it can mainly be found on bullion bars and coins. Conversely, a 6 mark indicates jewelry produced with the smallest amount of gold.
The gold content is determined in two ways:
– in carats (one carat corresponds to 1/24 of pure gold)
– in per mille (assuming that 1000 units of gold is 100% pure gold, jewelry with a 585 mark contains 58.5% pure gold).
0 – 999 contains 99.9% pure gold (also 24-carat gold)
1 – 960 contains 96.0% pure gold (also 22-carat gold)
2 – 750 contains 75.0% pure gold (also 18-carat gold)
3 – 585 contains 58.5% pure gold (also 14-carat gold)
4 – 500 contains 50.0% pure gold (also 12-carat gold)
5 – 375 contains 37.5% pure gold (also 9-carat gold)
6 – 333 contains 33.3% pure gold (also known as 8-carat gold)
WHY DO ALLOYS AFFECT THE COLOR OF GOLD?
As mentioned above, other precious metal alloys are added to gold jewelry to give the pieces “practicality.” A ring or necklace made of pure gold is very soft and malleable, which in turn exposes the jewelry to damage or destruction. In the 19th century, goldsmiths began experimenting with alloys, using combinations aimed at increasing the strength of the jewelry while simultaneously preserving the natural beauty of gold.They used precious metals such as palladium, platinum, silver, zinc, copper, and nickel. This opened the way to obtaining new colors of the precious metal, as the applied alloys affected not only the durability but also the color of gold, changing its original light yellow hue.
GOLD COLORS
Today, the following gold colors are known in jewelry:
– white gold (so-called palladium gold), which is made from an alloy of gold with nickel and palladium
– pink gold obtained from an alloy with copper and silver
– black gold produced by using white gold coated with black rhodium and ruthenium
– red gold, which is a combination of yellow gold with an admixture of copper and silver
– blue gold is a shade obtained by adding iron, nickel, or cobalt
– purple gold is obtained by adding aluminum to the gold alloy
It is worth noting that the color of the jewelry does not define the hallmark, and is only the result of the added alloys.
CUSTOM JEWELRY
Engagement is an incredibly important moment for two people. They decide to walk through life together in love and trust, symbolized by the engagement ring, and later by the wedding bands. Choosing the right jewelry is a very important decision for every future groom. There are many diamond rings, but which model will steal the heart of the beloved?
Stationary jewelry stores have a rich selection of engagement and wedding jewelry, but they may not necessarily be able to offer a model that perfectly fits the buyer’s needs. Online jewelry stores have the advantage of offering the possibility of purchasing custom-made jewelry – perfectly tailored to the individual needs of the customer, taking into account the budget and taste of the future bride. This is a significant and very romantic way to show your feelings – to give a ring that was created out of love, a ring that is unique and one-of-a-kind. That is why it is worth using the services of, for example, the store 79Diamenty https://79diamenty.pl/en/bespoke-rings/, for whom customer satisfaction is the most important, and jewelry is made from a true passion for creation.
HOW DOES A LOW GOLD PURITY AFFECT JEWELRY?
Choosing an engagement ring or wedding bands based on an attractive price may eventually bring an unpleasant surprise when a strange coating appears on the jewelry after some time. This is caused by the natural process of oxidation of the precious metal components added to the gold alloy. The lower the purity, the more likely the jewelry will tarnish. Pure gold, due to its properties, does not oxidize, so investing in high-purity jewelry (585, 750, 999) is an investment in timeless quality.
When deciding to order a ring or wedding bands with a diamond from an online jewelry store, we do not expose ourselves to unpleasant surprises – we are certain how much gold was used to make the jewelry and what metal alloys are in the composition. This is very important information, as white gold is combined with palladium or nickel. The latter causes a strong allergic reaction in some people, manifested by a rash and itchy skin, and despite the lower price of the jewelry, it is not worth choosing gold with a nickel admixture.