Gold
Gold has been highly valued for millennia, and widely used to produce artifacts, coins and jewelry. Its properties allow for countless applications, including medicine, technology and commercial chemistry. The gold standard still defines the global currency system.
Gold is resistant to rust, tarnish, and corrosion. While very strong, it is also the most malleable precious metal.
The price of gold jewelry depends on the carat weight and the current market value, as well as the quality of craftsmanship and design.
Purity
Gold’s purity is represented in carats and percentages, which reflect the proportional relation between pure gold and additives.
Pure gold (24k, or 100%) is too soft to be used in fine jewelry. It is usually alloyed (mixed) with other metals such as silver, copper, nickel and zinc, in order to alter its hardness, color and other properties. Gold alloys below 14k are usually considered not acceptable for jewelry.
Gold purity by karat:
- 24 karat = 100% gold
- 22 karat = 91.7% gold
- 18 karat = 75 % gold
- 14 karat = 58.3% gold
- 10 karat = 41.7% gold
At OroSpot, our jewelry is made of both 18k gold (75% gold alloyed with other metals) and 14k gold (58.3% gold with 41.7% of other metals).
ColorThe color of gold jewelry depends on the type and percentage of metals present in the alloy.
Yellow Gold
Naturally found gold has a distinct yellow color. A well-proportion mixture of pure gold, copper (reddish hue) and silver (greenish hue) creates the signature warmth of yellow gold alloys.
White Gold
To achieve the silvery white color, gold is alloyed with white metals such as nickel, manganese or palladium. White gold is often plated with a hard element called rhodium, which tends to wear away over time and might require re-plating.
Rose Gold
This color is achieved by adding copper, which gives gold jewelry its distinct pink hue. Typically, 18k rose gold contains 75% gold and 21% copper and 4% silver.
Care and Maintenance for Gold:
- Clean your gold jewelry in warm water, using detergent-free soap and a soft brush.
- Remove your gold rings or wear protective gloves while using cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals, such as chlorine.
- Store your gold pieces in original boxes or cloth pouches.