If you’re on the market for real gold jewelry, you will no doubt have come across a variety of terms and characteristics. Karats, grams, gold-plated, gold-filled – it’s very easy to get lost! But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
The first thing to know is karats, abbreviated with the letter K. Karat values refer to the purity of the gold metal used in any jewelry, with 24K being the purest form. Pure gold refers to 100% real gold, not mixed with any other metals. Although 24K sounds like the best option in theory, gold is actually an incredibly soft and malleable metal. This means that it is very fragile and can easily get scratched, bent or even broken. To increase gold’s strength, jewelers will generally mix gold with other alloys, such as aluminum, silver, copper, etc. The more alloys used, the lower the karat value. The lower the karat value, the stronger the jewelry piece.
The tint of yellow gold will also vary depending on which metal alloy is used. Furthermore, real gold is a tarnish-proof metal that is resistant to oxidation. This means that real gold technically does not change color. However, most alloys contain metals that do oxidize, therefore their contact with various liquids and gasses can cause minimal tarnishing and color changes. If you start seeing any signs of tarnishing, the best thing to do is to bring your jewelry to a professional jeweler. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to keep your precious jewelry in proper jewelry boxes.
What about white or rose gold? To obtain a white color, pure yellow gold is mixed with white metals, such as silver or palladium. Since pure gold is a deeply yellow metal, it needs an extra step to remove any signs of a yellow tint. As a final touch, white gold jewelry is plated with a white metal called rhodium to ensure a pure white color. Similarly, rose gold is obtained by mixing a higher volume of copper into pure gold. The red hue of copper is what gives rose gold its pinkish hue.
Another term to know is gold-plating, which means, as its name implies, plating different metals with a layer of pure gold. Jewelry made of different metals are chemically or mechanically plated with gold both to obtain a yellow color and to create tarnish-proof, water-resistant jewelry that are much more affordable than solid gold ones. However, if the gold-plating is not applied properly, it can start peeling off in time, revealing the base metal of the jewelry.
If you’re looking for gold jewelry that is on the more affordable side, a better alternative to gold-plating is a real gold hollow chain. Hollow chains appear the same as solid gold chains, but are hollow on the inside, meaning that they weigh much less than their solid counterparts. As they are lighter, they are consequently cheaper. This way, you get a tarnish-resistant, budget-friendly piece that is also comfortable to wear. A great example is Monaco Chain™, a brand that creates hollow chains from real gold using patented technology that ensures maximum strength and durability.
So, then, which karat value is best for jewelry? Generally speaking, it is always safest to stay in the 10K – 18K range. If you’re looking to invest in a necklace, you may opt for a karat value on the higher side of the range. If you’re looking for the best gold bracelet for everyday use, it is always good to go with a 10K piece.
With 10K yellow gold jewelry, you get the perfect shade of golden yellow, with just the right amount of strength to endure the wear and tear of day-to-day life. The Monaco Chain™ Classic Plain 10K yellow gold bracelet is definitely the best choice when it comes to everyday real gold bracelets. As these chains are hollow, you can get a bold look without having the bulky weight of solid gold chains, and for a fraction of the price! Additionally, each chain features a curved lock so that the chains sit perfectly on the wrist without disrupting its flow. The design is perfectly created to ensure maximum comfort.
If you’re looking to mix things up a little, you can head on over to Oro Monaco, the official online partner of Monaco Chain™. On the website, you can choose from a variety of chain designs, chain lengths, chain widths, metals, and clasp designs to create the perfect chain for you. You can add a little sparkle to your bracelet with the Monaco Chain™ Classic Pavé Lock Collection.
These chains feature a classic plain 10K or 14K yellow gold bracelet with a Swarovski-studded curved clasp. If you want to go all out, check out the Monaco Chain™ Classic Swarovski Collection for the full on iced-out look! Each chain is available in both 10K and 14K yellow gold, to best suit your wants and needs.
Shop now at oromonaco.com and enjoy your investment!
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