A Look At The Different Types Of Gold Used For Jewelry
If you're considering buying gold jewelry for yourself or a loved one or even investing, then there are many things that you need to be aware of. There are lots of risks when it comes to investing in gold and you need to fully understand all of them before doing so.
18k Gold
The strongest and most appealing material when it comes to jewelry is undoubtedly, 18k gold. This type of gold has a very strong golden color and the chances are much lower that it would lead to an allergic reaction. 18k gold falls in the family of gold alloys since it is combined with other metals. This type of gold is great for making chains, rings, earrings, and more.
Since the color of 18k gold is so rich, it is perfect for jewelry that you can wear on special occasions. You should definitely avoid wearing it daily and you will need to be careful while wearing it to ensure that it doesn't get accidentally damaged. Additionally, this type of gold can get tarnished quite easily, so special care has to be taken while wearing it. In order to clean it, all you need is some dishwashing soap as well as warm water. Be sure to use a soft cloth when drying.
The thing about 18k gold that you need to understand is that it is not made from pure gold. 18k gold is an alloy that has zinc and nickel added to it during the fine jewelry making process. The point of adding these metals is to make it more durable and harder. Additionally, due to the addition of these metals, the overall color is affected. Since this gold is an alloy, it is much more likely to lead to allergic reactions. So, if you typically have these types of issues, then you should only wear gold jewelry that is made from pure gold.
You can use 18k gold for an engagement ring, however, jewelry made from this type of gold should not be worn every day. When compared to 24k gold, 18k gold is softer and won't scratch as easily. It is not as strong when compared with 24k gold. Additionally, 18k has a higher chance of bending, warping or even breaking in comparison to 24k gold. With that said, 18k gold is still good for making earrings, however, you may not want to use it to make chains or even rings.
When it comes to a much stronger type of gold, you should look at 14k gold. This type of gold doesn't have the high purity of 24k gold, however, it is quite scratch resistant and very strong. You can also get 14k gold in white gold as well as rose gold.
You are likely aware of the popularity and high cost of gold jewelry. The good thing about gold jewelry is that the industry usually follows set regulations around the world so that you can feel confident when buying. With that said, you should also keep in mind that gold is a natural resource that slowly renews and it is also a precious metal.
24k Gold
If you're thinking about buying 24k gold, you may think that it is a smart idea due to the fact that it has the highest gold quality and is the purest gold. However, you need to keep in mind its high cost as well as the fact that it can very easily break or get scratched. You should consider other types of gold such as 18k gold which contains the highest gold percentage.
You should also consider white gold which goes exceptionally well with diamonds. Additionally, white gold is the most durable in comparison to the other types of gold. With that said, it would need to be dipped every couple of years.
Next, another option that you can consider is purchasing jewelry that is 18k or 22k gold. Even though these are not as pure and strong as 24k gold, they are a lot less costly and are better to wear on a regular or even daily basis.
If you're curious about the highest karat of gold, it is 24k gold. This is also the most costly type of gold. Now, even though it is so expensive, it can easily bend and is quite soft. Additionally, the color is very bright and appealing. So, buying gold jewelry is a great idea, especially if you want to get an heirloom.
When you want to buy jewelry made from 24k gold, then you will have to get one that is either rose or yellow gold. Rose gold has a higher amount of gold, however, it is also mixed with nickel and copper. Unfortunately, it is possible for you to have an allergic reaction to rose gold due to these additional metals.
As mentioned previously, 24k gold is the purest form of gold and is certainly quite impressive. However, it is not very practical since it can easily get dented and scratched. So, it is not advisable that you wear it regularly. It is better to buy gold jewelry made from 18k gold since these are a lot stronger and less expensive. The type of gold that you choose will depend on what you're looking for and your budget.
Jewelry made from 24k gold should be worn on special occasions and you should think carefully about how you will wear it.
24k White Gold
When you go fine jewelry shopping for gold jewelry, you will have to choose from 18k, 14k, and 10k gold jewelry. The different types of gold will be good for different intents. So, you must understand each type so that you can make an informed decision when buying gold jewelry.
The majority of gold jewelry is an alloy in order to increase its strength. Yellow gold in particular is mixed with silver as well as copper. With that said, only small amounts of these metals are added to gold to form an alloy. They not only strengthen the gold but also give it an attractive color. When you pair the appropriate type of gold with the gemstone, you will ensure that you create the most aesthetic piece of jewelry.
White gold is significantly stronger than yellow gold but it is not as resistant to getting scratches. So, if you would like to get jewelry made from white gold, be sure to avoid wearing it too frequently. You may also need to have it re-dipped from time to time.
Another benefit of white gold is that it doesn't cause as many allergic reactions compared to other types of gold. With that said, if you have nickel allergies, then you shouldn't wear jewelry made from white gold. Be sure to talk with your jeweler so that they can make jewelry for you that doesn't contain nickel alloy.
When it comes to gold jewelry that you can wear daily, then you should look into jewelry made from 14k gold. This is also the most cost-effective type of gold and is great for making engagement rings. You can also look at 18k gold which has a great tint and fewer allergic reactions.
The purest gold is 24k and it is quite soft. So, if you want to get jewelry made from 24k gold, you should avoid wearing it every day. It is also quite challenging to make jewelry from 24k gold. This type of gold is used in decorative gliding as well as in certain medical machinery.
There is no particular type of gold that is perfect for everything. The type of gold that you choose will be heavily dependent on your likes, dislikes, aesthetics, budget, etc. When you understand the different types of gold, this will help you to make a better decision. So, make sure and do thorough research before purchasing.
Precautions to keep in mind
Even though it is wise to invest in gold, there are many precautions you should remember. First of all, only purchase gold from a well-known and highly trusted company to avoid purchasing any fake or costume jewelry. Next, you need to know your budget and have a secure space to store your gold. You can do so at a bank or even use a safe in your home.
Next, you will need to figure out the quantity of gold or pure gold jewelry that you wish to buy. Be sure to speak with a trusted financial advisor before you make any purchases. Also, find out about extra costs, fees, and the predicted future worth of the gold.
It is wise to get an insurance policy for your gold and only take out a policy with a trusted company.
There are many types of gold that you can purchase such as bars, coins, futures, etc. You can get coins in lots of different sizes. If you're interested in buying coins, then you should look at the ones where each coin is about 1 or 2 ounces. Each coin should have its purity level stamped on it.
If you're interested in investing in gold jewelry, you need to determine its resale value. This is important in the event that you have to sell it. There are also lots of jewelry stores that purchase jewelry that they have sold. So, be sure to check with the jewelry store and find out their policies and the future value of the jewelry.
Lastly, avoid buying any gold from un-named stores. These types of stores are extremely untrustworthy since they may try to lie about the gold purity and sell a gold alloy as being pure. You should also practice caution if you're interested in purchasing gold for any new company since they don't have a reputation as yet and may try to sell the same gold to many different people.
