- About Platinum Jewelry
- Ancient Egyptian Jewelry
- Antique Cushion Cut Jewelry
- Asscher Diamonds Education
- Baguette Jewelry
- Common Gold Abbreviations
- Diamond Certification
- Education Comparison
- Education Cubic Zironia
- Education Grown Diamond
- Education Mined Diamond
- Education Moissanite
- Education Quality Offered
- French Cut Jewelry
- How To Buy A Ring Wrap
- How To Fit Ring Guard To Engagement Ring
- Sapphire Jewelry
- Silver Jewelry
- Single Cut Diamonds
- Three Stone Enhancer
- Wedding Ring Wrap Education
- What Is A Two Tone
Common Gold Abbreviations
Gold is a precious metal that has been commonly used for centuries, especially in jewelry and coins. We might be a bit biased at Two Birch, but we are most fond of gold when used to craft stunning fine jewelry!
When shopping for gold jewelry, it can understandably be a bit confusing when looking at the different numbers and karats.
To break it down, gold is mined, and in its purest form it is found as nuggets or grains. Think of the gold rush! Gold has a yellow color which does not does not oxidize when contacting air or water. A ‘karat’ is used to as a measurement of the purity of gold.
Fine gold is 24 Karat (24K) but is not typically used the pure form to make jewelry. it is too soft to work on, and people wouldn’t want to wear jewelry that soft on a normal basis. Normally, gold metals are mixed with alloys, which makes the metal harder and easier to work on. The most common form of gold used to make jewelry is 14 karat, which is composed of 58.5% gold, and 41.5% alloy.
18K and 10K are also popular variations.10 Karat gold is 41.6% gold, and 58.4% alloy. 18 karat gold is 75% gold, and 25% alloy. The markings on the inside of Two Birch rings note the ratio of that particular ring.
- 10K
- 14 K or 585
- 18 K or 750
Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as white gold. White gold is a mix of 24 karat gold with white alloys, giving it a white color. White gold is coated with Rhodium to give a beautiful luster and white color. In its natural form, white gold actually has an off-white color, which is turned into a brilliant white with Rhodium plating.