Gold is, without a doubt, the smartest investment one can make when it comes to jewelry. Gold is associated with luxury and class, as well as financial stability.

Because the real importance of cash is secured by gold, it is in demand worldwide. With rising inflation and an unexpected market, gold can be a form of solid security against uncertainties.

This guide highlights everything you need to be aware of if you’re planning to buy gold jewelry.

Understanding Karats

24 karat gold is the purest form of gold in the market.

Every alloy of gold is made up of 24 parts, which we call “karats.” If you purchase gold with 24 karats, you’re getting real, raw gold that will be pure, unadulterated cash in your wallet.

If 24-karat gold is 100 percent pure, 10-karat is 41.7 percent pure (mathematically stated as 10/24 = 41.7 percent) by virtue of proportion.

As a result, the usual rule is that gold’s worth is proportional to its pureness – the higher the purity of gold, the more valuable it is.

Understanding Quality

Vermeil, gold-plated, and gold-filled jewelry are great substitutes for karat gold jewelry. They have the appearance of solid gold, but are much less durable and are worth considerably less. They are great choices for those looking to cut costs yet have stylish pieces to wear.

Gold-plating is the most affordable option as it uses an extremely small amount of gold and is covered with the base metal of low quality, usually brass and copper, by using an electroplating method. These pieces will tarnish the fastest, although the price may vary based on the karatage employed.

Vermeil is comparable to gold plating. However, its base material is premium silver, and authentic vermeil plating is at least 100 microns thick and 10k or above.

Gold-filled jewelry has a lower-cost base alloy, such as brass or copper. However, it has the highest gold concentration bonded by heat. The item must contain a minimum of 5% gold to be truly “gold-filled.”

Different Colors and Alloys

Pure 24karat gold appears to be as if it’s yellow. However, it’s not always feasible to buy pure gold because it is cheap, malleable, and soft.

That’s why jewelers have come up with a way of mixing gold and heavier metals. Because these are typically less than 18-karat gold, the other metals can alter the yellow hue and produce an alloy with a different color.

If you purchase gold, you’re not limited only to the golden yellow hue. Here are a few shades of gold that you need to know about:

Yellow Gold

A yellow gold hue pops into our minds when we think of gold. The word “gold” is often used as a color compared to sunshine or honey. But, not all jewelry is made of gold. Plating is a common feature of golden jewelry and is sometimes deliberately done to maintain the appearance of yellow gold.

White Gold

White gold looks like a lighter form of sterling silver. It’s equally popular as yellow-gold engagement rings. White gold is often combined with yellow gold in products typically referred to as two-toned. White gold is composed of pure white materials (i.e., manganese, palladium, or nickel), which are more durable than gold.

Rose Gold

Rose gold is a gold alloy with a pinkish hue. It is made of copper, typically 14 karat, or 58.5 percent purity. The purest form made from alloy is known as  Crown Gold, made with 75 percent gold and 25 percent copper.

Conclusion

If you are looking for something you will be able to pass on to the next generation, solid gold jewelry is the best option. If you’re looking for stylish pieces that you can wear every day, the ones with gold-plating are a more suitable choice.

Knowing the gold’s purity and different types can aid in deciding what is best for you, your skin type, or your spending budget. You’ll find the perfect gold necklace, bracelet, or chain that you like, and you won’t be disappointed.

Keep in mind that just because it looks similar to gold doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s gold in any way.