Precious Metal Buying Guide | Jewelry Manufacture Houston

1
Precious Metals Nothing shines like yellow gold,
white gold, or platinum. Over time, precious
metals have come to symbolize wealth, power, and
strength. Their beauty and physical qualities
make precious metals a prized part of any jewelry
collection.   No matter how much research you do,
and no matter how much time you spend on the
process, remember one key element Enjoy the
Experience! This is supposed to be a fun time for
both of you, so do your research, but don't
become overwhelmed in the process.    
Gold Gold has the longest history of all
precious metals. It is the foundation of the
worlds currency system money represents a
value in gold. Pure gold will not corrode, rust,
or tarnish. It is very strong but also the most
malleable of all metals. Though it was golds
softness and natural beauty that made it
appealing for jewelry, it is so soft that pure
gold is rarely used in jewelry. In order to
withstand the stresses of everyday wear, pure
gold is mixed (or alloyed) with other metals to
increase its strength, durability, and color
range.   Yellow Gold Yellow gold is the most
common color and is usually alloyed with silver
and copper. The saturation of color varies
according to gold content. The quantity (or
purity) of gold in a given alloy is expressed in
karats (k or kt.) Pure gold is 24kt (100 gold)
too soft for use in jewelry. Following are some
common gold alloys 18kt (75 gold and 25 other
metals) - used in fine jewelry.
14kt (58.3 gold) - recommended and most
commonly used in jewelry where strength is most
important. 10kt (41.7 gold) - the legal limit
karat considered to be real gold in the United
States. When buying gold jewelry be sure to
look for the karat mark or k that appears on
the back of the piece. In addition (and by U.S.
law) you should also see the manufacturers
trademark and country of origin to assure you are
buying genuine karat gold jewelry.
2
White Gold White gold is fast becoming more
popular in color than yellow gold. It is
requested more often in 14kt jewelry because it
looks similar to platinum, but does not come with
the platinum price tag. White gold has the same
properties as yellow gold, but is mixed with
different metals such as nickel, zinc, silver,
and palladium to give it a white color. White
gold is highly reflective and not subject to
tarnish. Because 18kt white gold is 75 gold and
14k white gold is 58.3 gold, jewelry made from
these metals can have a slight yellow color. To
enhance the whiteness, almost all white gold is
plated with rhodium a shiny, white metal that
is extremely hard and a member of the platinum
family. Over time and with normal wear, this
rhodium plating may wear off. Re-plating is a
simple process that can be done to restore your
jewelrys whiteness and shine if needed. White
gold is an excellent setting for very white
diamonds, colors D I, as it greatly enhances
their brilliance and sparkle. Another option in
gold jewelry is two-tone jewelry, using both
white and yellow gold side-by-side. It creates a
striking effect and is very popular in ring
settings and bracelets.  
Care for your Gold Jewelry Gold is durable and
dependable. However, to keep your jewelry shining
and scratch-free, store them in their original
boxes, soft cloth bags, or a fabric-lined jewelry
box. To prolong golds luster, keep your gold
jewelry away from harsh chemicals such as
chlorine, ammonia, and cleaning fluids. To clean
gold jewelry, use a solution of mild soap and
warm water and wash gently with a soft-bristled,
non-metallic brush (like a dull toothbrush.) To
dry and buff your jewelry once its cleaned, use
a soft cloth that wont leave threads or fuzz
behind. Do not use paper towels.
Care for your Platinum Jewelry Unique to
platinum, it may develop a patina (or gentle
sheen) if worn daily. Many people like this look.
However, if you prefer the original reflective
finish a jeweler can polish it and restore the
original shine. Soaking platinum jewelry in a
mild solution of soap and warm water and gently
scrubbing it with a soft-bristled brush is
usually all that is required to maintain the
metal's luster. To keep your jewelry shining and
scratch-free, store them in their original boxes,
soft cloth bags, or a fabric-lined jewelry box.
To prolong gold's luster, keep your gold jewelry
away from harsh chemicals such as chlorine,
ammonia, and cleaning fluids.