Gold Information
Pure, or 24 karat, gold will not tarnish, rust, or corrode, and though it's very strong, it is also the most malleable of all metals.
Purity
Pure gold is too soft to withstand the stresses of every-day wear, so it is alloyed with a mixture of metals like silver, copper, nickel, and zinc to give it strength and durability. Karatage, noted by a number followed by "k" indicates purity, or how much of the metal in a piece of jewelry is gold. Karatage is expressed in 24ths, making 24k gold 100% gold. When the percentage of gold drops below 50% your jewelry may tarnish easier and may be subject to other problems like stress fractures.
- 24K = 100% Gold
- 18K = 75% Gold
- 14K = 58.5% Gold
- 10K = 41.7% Gold
Color
The color of gold is determined by two factors:- The type of metal alloys included in it
- The percentage of each metal alloy
Yellow Gold
In jewelry at Blue Nile, you'll find 18k and 14k yellow gold. 18k gold contains more precious metal than 14k gold. It is composed of 75% gold, which is alloyed with other metals to make it strong enough to withstand every-day wear. Because 14k gold is composed of only 58.3% gold, and 41.7% other metals that give it strength, its gold color is not as rich as 18k gold. 14k gold is most commonly found in cases where strength is most important, like in earring backs and bracelet clasps.
White Gold
Because 18k white gold is 75% gold, and 14k white gold is 58.3% gold, jewelry made from these metals has a slight yellow color. To enhance the whiteness, almost all white gold is plated with rhodium, a shiny, white metal which is extremely hard. Depending on the amount of wear to a piece of jewelry, over time this rhodium plating may wear off, revealing the original metal color. Re-plating is a simple process that can be done to restore your jewelry's whiteness if needed.
Rose Gold
Rose gold gets its color from a larger proportion of copper in the metal alloy. This gives the gold a beautiful pink color.
Caring For Gold
Keep your gold jewelry away from harsh chemicals such as chlorine and cleaning fluids. Do not allow your gold jewelry to touch other jewelry in your jewelry box. This will reduce daily abrasions and prolong gold's luster. To clean gold jewelry, use a solution of warm water and detergent-free soap and wash the gold gently with a soft-bristled brush (a dull tooth brush works well). Never clean your jewelry with toothpaste. Toothpaste is an abrasive and can scratch your gold. It can also scratch soft gems like pearls. And if you do not rinse the toothpaste completely out it can harden inside your jewelry. Store gold pieces separately in soft cloth bags or original boxes to protect them.
We will gladly inspect and clean your gold jewelry free of charge.