Gold has been a treasured precious metal since the beginnings of human civilization. Today, it continues to be a popular choice for many different types of jewellery, including rings, earrings, necklaces, watches and bracelets. When buying a piece of gold jewellery, it’s important to know what you’re getting. There are different styles of gold pieces for sale, such as white gold, yellow gold and rose gold. Buyers also need to know the differences between gold plated and pure gold. Finally, before picking a piece of gold jewellery, you need to know the differences between each karat. At Colonial Acres Coins, buyers can check out a selection of quality jewellery in gold and other fine metals.

Gold Plated Vs Pure Gold Jewellery

The first thing to know when picking gold pieces is the difference between gold-plated styles and pure gold items. Some items may be labelled as gold-filled, and they may be priced lower than other gold items. Gold-filled jewellery is constructed in two or three layers. The center of the piece of jewellery is made from brass. Then, a layer of gold is bonded to the brass using pressure and heat. The gold layer must be at least 10 karats (or more than 40% pure). The actual gold must be at least one-tenth of the weight of the entire piece.

Another option for a lower-priced piece of gold is gold-plated jewellery. Gold plated is similar to gold-filled, however, the amount of gold in a plated piece of jewellery may be minuscule. When this type of jewellery is crafted, the manufacturer makes the bulk of the piece in a different metal, such as brass or copper. Then, a thin layer of gold is bonded to the piece with heat.

10 and 14 Karat Gold

The standard for measuring gold’s purity and value has traditionally been the karat. Karats are used to measure the weight of a gemstone or precious metal, like gold. One karat is essentially one part of gold out of 24 parts. The higher the karat, the purer the gold will be. At the lowest end of the spectrum in the consumer market is 10 karat gold. Since gold is a soft metal, a 10 karat piece will be more affordable and durable than others. This type of gold is mixed with other metals, so it could also potentially cause an allergy to sensitive skin.

For a slightly higher quality piece that’s also still affordable, buyers can opt for 14 karat gold. This weight of gold features 14 pure gold parts out of 24. The other parts are another metal, like brass or sterling silver. This gold is approximately 58.3% real gold. It’s a great choice for rings and wedding jewellery.

18 and 24 Karat Gold    

Shoppers who want something that is even higher quality for a piece of jewellery can opt for 18 karat gold. This weight of gold is about 75% pure and 25% other metals. The value of 18 karat gold is higher than 10 or 14, and it also offers more durability than some other types of jewellery for everyday wear.

For the purest type of gold, buyers should consider 24 karats. A 24 karat piece of gold is close to 100% pure gold. It’s not common for manufacturers to create 24 karat gold jewellery due to problems with durability. This type of gold is more seen in collectible coins or as a piece of gold bullion. While extremely valuable and pricey, pure 24 karat gold is soft and easily scratched. It’s not a convenient option for rings, necklaces, bracelets or earrings.

If you want to check out some gold jewellery options, Colonial Acres has a wide selection of beautiful gold pieces. Be sure to check the karat weight, the style and the specifics of each piece to find the one that’s right for you.