How To Buy Quality Jewellery

Often, it can be a tricky business choosing the right jewellery, especially if its for Engagement or Wedding rings.

So before stepping into your local jewellery retailers, take a moment to read our short guide so that you make the right decision before handing over your credit card and hopefully, avoid making costly mistakes!

So What’s The Difference Between 10K, 14K, 18K, and 24K Gold Jewellery

The “K” stands for karat, which represents the percentage of pure gold in the metal alloy. Because pure gold is very malleable (soft), jewellers mix it with other alloys to make it more durable and harder.

Purity: The higher the karat number, the higher percentage of pure gold exists in the jewellry. 10K = 41.7% 14K = 58.5% 18K = 75% 22K = 91.7% 24K = 100%

Cost :

The higher the karat, the higher the cost and the price is based on the percentage of pure gold, and prices are based on the current market value of gold.

Colour :

Because pure gold is naturally yellow, the higher the karat, the more yellow the item will be.

Gold Types :

Durability: The higher the karat, the softer and more scratch-prone the alloy becomes so this is important to consider if you’re setting a gemstone in small prongs that you don’t want to bend easily.

What Is The Difference Between 10KT Gold and 10CT Gold

There is no difference, as an example of how gold attributes are applied differently around the globe, the proper attribute applied to gold is “karat” abbreviated with “k” or “kt”.

In countries outside of North America, “carat,” abbreviated “c” or “ct” is used in its place, despite it being incorrect. Carat is, in the proper application, a unit of weight that applies to precious stones.

What Is The Natural Colour Of Gold

Pure gold is yellow so needless to say, the higher the karat of gold jewellery, the more yellowish hue it will have.

What Is Rose Gold

Rose Gold Ring Set, Three Stone Meteorite Engagement Ring, And Fossil Wedding Band Rose gold is sometimes called “pink gold”, is an alloy created by adding copper to pure gold, which results in a pinkish metallic hue.

Rose gold engagement rings and rose gold wedding bands saw a spike in popularity back in 2015 and continue to be in demand – opt for a rose gold wedding ring set for the ultimate in coordination.

What Is White Gold

Developed to imitate platinum, white gold is typically created by adding 25% nickel and zinc to pure gold.

The lower the karat, the more “white” it will retain because the karat is increased by adding more pure, yellow gold. White gold rings are a lower-cost, lighter-weight alternative to platinum and palladium.

Why Are White Gold Rings Plated With Rhodium

Gold jewellery is plated with rhodium to make it look whiter, enhance its shine, and to give it a harder surface. Keep in mind, the plating will, in time, wear away.

It’s recommended to re-plate your jewellery every 1-2 years to keep it looking its best.

Plated vs Non-Plated Gold Jewellery

How can I tell if My Gold Jewellery Is Real

Gold Ring With Stamp :

When in doubt, the most accurate way to tell is to take your item to a branded jewellery dealer for appraisal, but here are several tests you could do at home to help you determine if your gold is actually real.

Does it Have A Stamp

If it IS real gold, it will have one of the followings stamps (typically on its inner sleeve) that represents the percentage of gold it contains :

1. 16, 417, 10ct, 10kt, 10K, 10KP = 10 Karat
2. 583, 585, 14ct, 14kt, 14K, 14KP = 14 Karat
3. 750, 18ct, 18kt, 18K, 18KP = 18 Karat
4. 916, 917, 22ct, 22kt, 22K = 22 Karat 999, 24K = 24 Karat

Note : Lack of one of the above stamps doesn’t always mean your gold jewellery isn’t pure, as an example, if a ring was resized, the stamp may have been polished out or removed and, not all jewellery designers add a stamp.  If you do have your jewellery polished, be sure to tell your jewellers to re-stamp it!

If it IS NOT real gold, it will have one of these stamps alone or along with the karat information that pertains to the part of the item that is gold alloy :

1/20, 14/20 or GF = Gold-filled (Brass core with a surface of 5% gold alloy) GP = Gold-plated (Brass core with a thinner surface of .05% or less gold alloy) HGE = Hydrostatic gold electroplating GEP = Gold electroplating 925 = Sterling Silver.

Does It Make A Black Streak On Ceramic

If it is real gold, it will make a gold mark on unfinished ceramic, if it’s not, it will leave a black streak.

is It Heavy

If it is real gold, it will be heavier than a piece of non-gold jewellery that is of equal size.

is It Discoloured

If the surface of the jewellery is tarnished or discoloured then it’s less likely to be pure as this is not typical of most gold.

Is Gold Jewellery Hypoallergenic

Yes, and No – Unless it’s 24K pure gold, it is an alloy and likely mixed with nickel – a common metal allergen – to make it stronger and less malleable (soft). If you like the look of White Gold, opt for hypoallergenic titanium as an alternative as it costs less.

If you’re partial to Yellow Gold and don’t have an extreme metal allergy, the higher Karats of gold may work for you.

Is Gold A Precious Metal

Yes, because it is considered to be rare and has a high economic value as too do other precious metals such as Silver, Platinum and Palladium.

It can be a tricky and quite often, an expensive business selecting the right, quality jewellery, so take a look at our Jewellery Section for a wide selection of choices and of course – peace of mind!