Archive for November, 2009
Karats and Alloys: The Specifics of Gold
You’ll never wear a piece of gold jewelry that’s 100 percent pure, nor would you want to. As it turns out, gold is too malleable in its natural state to be made into practical accessories. A 14-karat ring would be equivalent to 58.5 percent pure, and the closest to absolute purity is 24 karats or 99.9 percent. So, what is it that makes up the remainder of that percentage? The answer is alloys, of course.
The eventual color of gold jewelry is largely determined by which other metals, or alloys, are used to supplement it. White gold rings contain some nickel and palladium, while yellow gold necklaces most likely contain some silver or copper. No matter the alloy used or the eventual color of the piece, gold jewelry remains one of the most timeless and celebrated accessories around
Separate ‘Hard’ and ‘Soft’ Jewelry
You’ve probably heard gold and silver referred to as precious metals. While that designation refers to the relative scarcity of the metals, it could also be used to imply fragility. While gold and silver bands might seem durable, they can be scratched and damaged through contact with certain gemstones. In order to preserve your jewelry as long as possible, it’s best to keep it separated.
Let the Mohs scale of mineral hardness be your guide. Diamonds score a 10 out of 10 on the scale, meaning that they are hard and strong enough to inflict damage on soft metals and pearls. Gold and silver rank a scant 3 on the scale, so it’s best to keep bands and the like out of harm’s way. A diamond ring could be stored together with other hard gems such as sapphire, ruby and topaz.