So, a 50/50 alloy, half pure gold and half other metal or metals, is 12-karat gold. Pure gold, which contains no other metals, is termed 24-karat gold. (Don't confuse karat with carat, which is a unit of measurement used to describe gemstone weight). When discussing gold and its alloys, the term karat indicates the purity of the gold. The gold itself doesn't cause these reactions. For example, some gold alloys stain skin or cause allergic reactions. In addition to enhancing gold's strength, alloying changes some of its other properties, too. Metals commonly alloyed with gold for jewelry purposes include: silver, copper, nickel, iron, zinc, tin, manganese, cadmium, and titanium. While jewelers do use pure gold for some jewelry pieces, these dent and show wear so readily that most people don't wear pure gold jewelry on a regular basis. However, mixing gold with other metals creates gold alloys that are stronger, more durable, and better suited for jewelry use. (This quality differs from gemological/mineralogical measurements of hardness as resistance to scratching). Gold Alloysĭespite gold's desirable properties, it does have one significant drawback: softness. For example, old coins and broken pieces of jewelry can be melted down and reused to make new gold jewelry. Gold can be reused by melting down old gold objects and reforming the gold into new pieces. Gold has witnessed many transformations, and the material made into jewelry may continue to do so. It arrived as dust on Earth in its infancy. Recent studies suggest that gold originated in the far reaches of the universe, billions of years ago. It doesn't oxidize or corrode, and only a handful of rare acids or hot chlorine bleach can damage it. If properly cared for, gold can last indefinitely, which makes it a prized metal to designers as well as consumers. You can also roll that quantity into a sheet that covers 100 square feet in area. In fact, a single ounce of gold can be stretched into a thread more than 50 miles long. Since gold never tarnishes and has great workability, many jewelry designers and makers prefer it to other metals. GoldĪlthough long coveted for its beauty, gold possesses physical properties that have also captivated humanity. Engagement ring with marquise and pear-shaped diamonds in platinum settings, with accompanying gold wedding band, by Lorraine Hughes, Dot The Jewellers. These metals also possess malleability, which makes them practical choices for jewelry making.įor all these reasons, the trio of gold, silver, and platinum continue to enjoy considerable popularity as jewelry metals.
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