Purity
Gold is measured in terms of karats and is denoted by K. The karat weight informs
us the amount of gold present in the metal alloy. 24K gold is 100% pure with no
added alloys. The following chart will help you ascertain the percentage of gold,
referring to different karat weights:-
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24 karat = 100% gold
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22 karat = 91.7% gold
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18 karat = 75.0% gold
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14 karat = 58.3% gold
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12 karat = 50.0% gold
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10 karat = 41.7% gold
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Nothing less than 10K can be marked or sold as gold in the U.S.
Color
Gold in its pure form is yellow in color. It is mixed with other metallic elements
to form alloys which give gold its strength and durability. The alloying of gold
is likely to alter the color producing various hues and shades. Gold alloys occur
in shades of yellow, white, pink, green, blue and grey. These colors of gold are
determined by two main factors- The combination of elements within each metal and
the percentage of each element within the metal.
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Yellow Gold
Even though gold is yellow when pure, the intensity of yellow color depends on volume
of other metals alloyed with it. The more the karat weight, more intense is the
color.
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White Gold
The term "White Gold" refers to alloys of gold which is white in color. Unlike yellow
gold, a 24K white gold can never exist as the white color of gold is obtained by
mixing other elements such as nickel. To make it shimmering white, gold is plated
with Rhodium and this process is called Rhodium Flashing. Depending on the wear,
this rhodium plating may fade, revealing the original color of the metal. Re-plating
can be done to restore the white sheen.
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Rose Gold
Rose or Pink Gold is another popular colored gold used in jewelry. The pinkish hue
of gold can be owed to a larger proportion of copper in the gold alloy, making it
more durable simultaneously.
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Care
To clean gold jewelry, you can use a solution of warm water and detergent-free soap
and wash gently with a soft bristle brush. It is always a good idea to store gold
jewelry in boxes to protect them from exposure to harsh substances. Avoid wearing
them when working with chemicals and in pools and Jacuzzis, as chlorine is gold’s
worst enemy.
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