By Gold is eternal and will never go out of style. This shiny metal is always associated with class and elegance. It is one of the most famous jewelry pieces that will always stay in fashion among jewelry junkies. You should go to trusted jewelers in Salt Lake City for quality jewelry and rare gem pieces.
All about gold
The use of gold as a personal accessory already existed hundreds of years ago. Pure gold doesn’t fade or tarnish quickly and can be shaped into different accessories according to your liking. Of course, you need to take care of your gold jewelry to maintain its shine and luster for a long time.
Contrary to popular belief, the kind of gold we often see isn’t 100 percent gold. Gold, in its pure and unaltered form, is malleable and might not be suitable to be worn frequently. To improve its shape and strength, gold will often be mixed with other kinds of metals such as zinc, silver, or nickel, among a few.
It is also important to note that “karat” and “carat” are two different things. The former pertains to the measurement of gemstones, including diamonds in terms of weight. The latter, on the other hand, is used to measure the purity of gold. 14K, 18K, 22K gold are measured by karat.
Knowing your gold “karats”
There is no such thing as the best karat measurement for gold. For one thing, it depends on certain factors, such as:
- The gold color you prefer (ex. Yellow gold vs. White gold)
- The frequency of wearing it
- How you are going to wear it (ex. As a necklace, ring, bracelet, anklet, etc.)
- Budget
Here are some things that you need to know about different types of gold and which one can suit your needs:
- 14K gold
This type of gold is a combination of about 58 percent gold and 42 alloy metals. 14K is a famous gold type in wedding and engagement rings and is more suitable for everyday use.
- 18K gold
Meanwhile, this one is a mix of 75 percent gold and 25 percent alloy metals. It is considered the usual gold-alloy metal mix. Because of the higher percentage of its gold content, you can expect this one to be more expensive than 14K gold.
- 22K gold
This one has 92 percent gold content and is known for its durability. However, it might require a higher amount of care and maintenance.
- 24K gold
This is considered the highest gold karat available and the most expensive among the group. While it is usually regarded as the best gold karat around, it might not be the best option for everyday use. Because of its luxurious appeal and expensive price tag, this is more suitable to be worn on the red carpet and other formal events.
Also, make sure that you don’t have allergies to gold and other kinds of jewelry. More importantly, you should buy jewelry only from trusted jewelry stores near you.
