All About Gold
We understand that buying Gemstone and Diamond jewellery can be very difficult and sometimes even a frustrating process, while also personal and should be treated with extraordinary attention. Below are important education information about metal you may wish to learn before making your final decision.
GOLD
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Gold is a precious metal that has been a symbol of wealth since the beginning of time. In its most expensive, pure form of 24 karats, gold is quite soft and malleable. To gain strength and tenacity, gold is commonly combined with other metals, usually with silver and copper in a process called alloying. Although this may decrease the value of the gold slightly, it increases durability and allows gold to be used for long lasting fine jewelry. |
PURITY
The purity of the gold Karatage is indicated by a number followed by "k" and shows how much of gold is in thatpiece of jewelry. Karatage is expressed in 24ths, making 24k gold, 100% gold.
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At Nine Gems we craft our jewelry using both 22k and 18k gold; both are alloyed with other metals to make it strong enough for everyday wear:
• 22-karat gold is made of 91.6% pure gold and rest of other metals (22/24 ratio).
• 18-karat gold is made of 75% pure gold and 25% of other metals (18/24 ratio).
COLOR
The color of gold is determined by the type of metal alloys included and the percentage of each metal alloy.
| • Yellow Gold |  |
Gold natural color is yellow, however the alloys is what give the gold more saturated and rich shine. An specialist combination of copper, silver and pure gold gives this precious metal its signature warmth.
| • White Gold |  |
A silvery white character is what makes white gold jewelry so appealing. White gold is created by combining gold in its purest form with varying alloys such as zinc, copper or palladium and occasionally tin or nickel. To enhance the whiteness, almost all white gold is plated with rhodium, a shiny, white metal which is extremely hard. Depending on the amount of wear to a piece of jewelry, over time this rhodium plating may wear off, revealing the original metal color. Re-plating is a simple process that can be done to restore your jewelry's whiteness if needed.
| • Rose Gold |  |
The beautiful pink hue of rose gold jewelry is created by using a copper alloy. Again, the overall percentages of metal alloys is the same for rose gold as it is for yellow or white, there is just a different mixture in what alloys are used.
PRICING
Gold is an expensive metal, due to its rarity and excess of demand. The price of the metal is determined by its fineness, or by the karat purity that marks the ratio of pure gold to other metals. Another factor that comes into play when determining the price of jewelry is the aesthetic design and the method of craftsmanship. As a general rule, a carefully handmade piece will be more expensive than a mass-produced version.
CARE
Since gold is a natural component; it is affected by unkind chemicals such as chlorine or other cleaning products. We recommend that you remove your jewelry when using chemicals to reduce daily abrasions and prolong the luster. To clean gold jewelry, use a solution of warm water and detergent-free soap with a soft-bristled brush. When not worn, store your gold pieces in soft cloth bags or the original box to protect them from the elements of daily exposure.
At Nine Gems, we offer a finely crafted jewelry box to help preserve, protect, and organize your cherished valuables.
