The Allure of Gold
Gold has long been used to adorn its lucky wearer; its lustrous beauty and intense natural color give it a unique appeal. Gold can be found in shades of yellow, white, pink, and green; each is lovely and special in its own right. Frequently, contemporary jewelry is “tricolor,” combining yellow, pink, and white gold to create a distinctly modern feel.
When shopping for bracelets, chains, pins, rings, watches, and earrings, remember that all that glitters may not be gold! Always look for the karat mark, e.g., 18k, 14k, 10k, stamped on the piece to indicate that you’re buying the real thing. The karat mark refers to the purity of the gold. Twenty-four karat is 100 percent pure, or twenty-four parts gold, and is considered too soft for use in jewelry. It must be alloyed with other special metals to increase workability and strength. Eighteen-karat gold is 18 parts gold and six parts other metals; fourteen and ten karat, are, respectively, fourteen and ten parts gold. These last three are considered the best choice for lasting jewelry. (more…)
