| The glitter of gold has captured the imagination of | | | | - Pure gold is 24K. |
| people throughout time. It is treasured for its | | | | - 18K gold is actually made up of 75% gold. It |
| value as a metal and in the form of ornaments | | | | contains 18 parts gold and 6 parts of one or |
| like gold rings and necklaces. We all purchase it for | | | | more additional metals. |
| one of these two, either directly or indirectly. If | | | | - 14K is considered to be 58.3% gold and contains |
| you're buying gold as a form of financial | | | | 14 parts gold and 10 parts of one or more |
| investment, buy the purest form you can for the | | | | additional metals. |
| maximum value. If you are looking for | | | | - 12K gold which is 12 parts gold and 12 parts of |
| ornamentation, then going with a less pure form | | | | one or more additional metals, is actually only |
| such as gold plating is your best option. | | | | 50% gold. |
| Many people's knees get weak at the sight of | | | | - 10K gold is 10 parts gold and 14 parts of one or |
| gold earrings, watches, bracelets, and necklaces. | | | | more additional metals. It is also the minimum |
| Gold is still the most desirable and popular precious | | | | karat that can be called gold in the US at 41.7% |
| metal on the face of the earth. It is a symbol of | | | | gold. |
| wealth and power. With all of the different | | | | What makes gold jewelry so popular is that there |
| intricacies with purchasing gold like karats, color, | | | | are many different ways for it to be worn and |
| weight, alloy, design and price, feeling | | | | made. For example, cost for some gold jewelry is |
| overwhelmed is a pretty common thing. | | | | kept low by mechanically applying a coating of |
| Buying jewelry is supposed to be fun and exciting, | | | | gold onto a much less expensive metal. The |
| not confusing. Whether you're buying gold jewelry | | | | thicker the gold layer is, there is less of a chance |
| as a gift for someone special or as a treat for | | | | for it to wear away and expose the boring metal |
| yourself, take the time to learn the terms used in | | | | underneath. |
| the field. | | | | - Gold filled jewelry - Recently made gold filled |
| There is a good probability that the ring on one of | | | | items contain markings indicating how much and |
| your fingers is marked with 18K, 14K, or 10K on | | | | what type of gold was used. For example, if one |
| it. | | | | of your rings reads 1/20 12K G.F., it means that it |
| That K stands for karat, which is the system | | | | is at least 1/20th 12K gold by weight. |
| used to describe the percentage of pure gold an | | | | - Gold plated jewelry - The layer of gold used in |
| item contains. The higher the karat number, the | | | | gold plated jewelry is normally thinner than gold |
| higher the percentage of gold is in the gold | | | | filled jewelry, and in turn wears away much more |
| jewelry. Here is a breakdown: | | | | quickly. |