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Precious Metals
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Platinum
Platinum (symbol PL) was accepted as a
precious metal after only the second half of the 19th
century and has a deep luster and a rich, white color.
It is rarer and heavier than all other precious metals
and is considered to be more valuable than gold.
Platinum is often used to set the most valuable gems to
produce the finest jewelry. Platinum is one of the most
popular metals of choice for ring settings, because the
strength and color of platinum enhances the brilliance
and depth of diamonds and precious stones.
Because of its density and weight, you
can feel the difference between platinum and other
precious metals when comparing different types of
jewelry. Platinum is usually marked with the following
symbols: PL, PT, PLAT, 950 or PT950.
Since platinum is the purest metal, it
rarely causes an allergic reaction. In the US and
abroad, there is an increased interest in platinum
jewelry, with wedding rings being the strongest selling
category. The platinum group of metals (PGM), is
comprised of six closely related metals: Platinum,
Palladium, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Iridium and Osmium.
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Gold
Gold was among the first metals to be
mined because it commonly occurred in its native form;
not combined with other elements, and because it was
beautiful and imperishable, and because exquisite
objects could be made from it. Artisans of ancient
civilizations used gold lavishly in decorating tombs and
temples, and gold objects made more than 5,000 years ago
have been found in Egypt.
Particularly noteworthy are the gold
items discovered by Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon in
1922 in the tomb of Tutankhamun. This young pharaoh
ruled Egypt in 14th century B.C., and an exhibit of some
of these items, called "Treasures of Tutankhamun,"
attracted more than 6 million visitors in six cities
during a tour of the United States from 1977-1979.
The graves of nobles at the ancient
Citadel of Mycenae near Nauplion, Greece, discovered by
Heinrich Schliemann in 1876, yielded a great variety of
gold figurines, masks, cups, diadems, and jewelry, plus
hundreds of decorated beads and buttons. These elegant
works of art were created by skilled craftsmen more than
3,500 years ago.
Pure (100%) gold is too soft, and is
usually mixed with other metal alloys (silver, copper,
nickel and zinc) to make it stronger and more durable
for jewelry.
What Is A
Karat?
The karat indicates the amount of pure
gold in the metal. The higher the karat, the higher the
percentage of pure gold in the metal.
Percentage of Pure Gold by Karatage.
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Gold - Frequently
Asked Questions
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Why is 18k gold more valuable than 14k
gold? |
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18k gold contains a higher (75%) percentage
of pure gold than 14k gold (58.3%).
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What
kind of markings can be found on gold jewelry? |
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You should
see a marking such as '14k' or '18k' to indicate the karat, and you may
sometimes also see the manufacturers registered trademark or the country
of origin.
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What is the difference
between yellow, white, & rose gold? |
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Pure gold
(which is always yellow) is too soft for making jewelry. The metal
alloys that are mixed with pure gold for strength can also modify the
resulting color to produce different shades of yellow, white, and pink
gold. White gold was originally developed to imitate platinum, and
usually contains 25% nickel and zinc.
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What other factors
determine the value of a gold jewelry piece? |
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There are many other factors
that determine the value of a gold jewelry piece: |
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Weight -
gold is sold by weight - grams(gr) or pennyweights(pwt), the heavier the
piece, the higher the gold content, therefore it is more expensive.
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Design -
designer jewelry is more expensive, especially if it is a one of a kind
piece. |
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Finish -
special finishes to the metal such as matte, or sand-blasted finish add
to the cost of the gold jewelry piece.
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How do I care for my gold jewelry? |
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You could take
good care of your jewelry by following a few simple steps: |
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Avoid contact with
soap, perfume, cosmetics and hairspray. |
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Take chains and
bracelets off at night, and store them flat to prevent them from
breaking. |
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Use a gentle soft
cloth to polish gold jewelry after wearing. |
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Silver
Silver has been known and
used for thousands of years and was believed to have magical properties
which could promote healing and bring good luck. In ancient times,
silver was used for jewelry, ornaments, utensils, and as a substance
that could be bartered for other goods and services. This belief that
silver had an underlying "value" led eventually to its use as the basis
for monetary systems such as that of the Roman Empire and as a means of
paying for international trade.
Silver is the most reflective
and affordable of the precious metals. Its lower price permits bold,
innovative looks. Sterling silver jewelry is often fashioned by top
designers and can range in price from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Sterling silver is the standard of quality for jewelry containing 92.5%
silver and 7.5% copper.
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