For all of your gold questions, our guide can let you know some basics about gold.
- When you hear someone say what karat their gold is, what they are really talking about is the purity of the gold. Pure or fine gold is 24 karat. 14 karat means 14 parts of 24 are pure gold, mixed with 10 parts of other metals.
- Every piece
of gold jewelry should last a lifetime, if basic cleaning and
care instructions are observed.
Gold is a soft metal, and contact with hard surfaces can scratch or destroy its luster. When stored, wrap in a soft cloth to prevent scratching and tangling. Bathing with your gold jewelry on is fine. However, soap and water can cause a film to form on the surface, making it look dull and dingy.
Keep jewelry free from dust, moisture, perspiration, and makeup. Clean hands before putting on jewelry.
The best way to clean gold jewelry is with a jeweler-recommended cleaning solution or with an ultrasonic machine. A solution of mild detergent, warm water, and a small amount of ammonia can also be used. After cleaning and rinsing, dry and polish with a chamois or other soft cloth.
Brushed A light "satin-like" finish, produced by a stiff metal brush.
Chain Nearly all chain is a series of connected loops of metal wire. Chain links are generally assembled, joined, and then made flexible. Most chain, today, is produced by computer-controlled machines, which can be programmed to produce a wide variety of deigns.
Diamond Cut A faceted, bright look is achieved by making tiny angled cuts into the surface.
Diamond Laser Highly reflective finish created by hammering the surface with a faceted, diamond-tipped tool.
Embossed Shaping a pattern in relief in sheet metal.
Enameled Fusing colored glass onto metal surface.
Engraved A design is cut with a sharp-edged tool.
Etched Chemically or hand-created designs or patterns cut into the surface.
Gold electroplate An electronic process where a coating of gold of not less than 10K fineness, with a minimum thickness, is affixed to all significant surfaces.
Gold filled, gold overlay A layer of 10K gold or better mechanically bonded to all significant surfaces. This layer of gold must be at least 1/20th of the total metal weight or it cannot be described as gold filled.
Gold plate, rolled gold plate The same as gold filled except the quantity of karat gold may be less than 1/20th of the total metal weight.
Granulated Small, rounded gold particles placed by hand on a gold surface and fastened by a heating process.
Filigree Consists of fine wires that are twisted together and then flattened and bent into intricate designs. These delicate patterns are surrounded by a framework of sturdier gold.
Florentine Parallel lines are engraved in one direction, then lighter cross-hatchings or curved strokes are made in the opposite direction. Deeper than a brushed or satin finish.
Hammered Design created by hammering directly on the surface.
High Polish Bright, shiny, and highly reflective.
Matte "Velvet-like" finish, without shine but with soft luster.
Satin Finish Light Parallel lines sharply reduce the metals reflections. Soft and lustrous.
