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Why choose 18kt gold rather than 24kt gold jewelry? |
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Written by Deb St. George, Publisher, 18ktgoldjewelry.net
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Friday, 14 September 2007 |
Most people prefer 18kt gold to 24kt pure gold because 24kt gold is
soft and isn't practical for daily wear. 18kt gold jewelry has 18 parts
gold and six parts of another metal.
Gold can have different tints or colors. White gold is created by adding
nickel silver, or palladium. A 18kt white gold ring is made by mixing
75% gold with 25% other the other metals. If you prefer a gold color
with a pinkish tint then you will find that copper has been added to
your gold jewelry. Gold can even have a greenish tint if silver is added
into the gold.
Most people prefer to wear 18k or 22k gold jewelry for daily wear
because this type of gold jewelry is more durable. When choosing an 18kt
white gold ring, it is important to realize that platinum is a heavier
metal and though more durable it will be also be more expensive than say
a 18kt white gold ring made of rhodium. Rhodium is a lighter, less
expensive metal but people need to replate the ring yearly to make it
look as good as when they purchased it. Platinum on the other hand, is
naturally white and most often used in its pure form so it does not need
to be rhodium plated like white gold.
By law, gold articles must be stamped with their precise karat content.
The karat marking on your gold jewelry should be accompanied by a
hallmark or trademark that identifies its maker.
In Egypt gold was made into
elaborate jewelry and often those passing over to other side would be
adorned with their jewelry. In early Egypt they believed that gold was a
sacred metal and they created divine spheres in sacred shapes hoping the
sun god Horus would honor and favor those that adorned themselves with
these creations.
Gold jewelry has been worn and considered precious by almost all
civilizations. In a recent find in Greece, a 6500 year old pendant was
found by a Greek hiker. (see
Article at
Accommodation-in-Greece.com)
Gold had spiritual meaning in many ancient civilizations. In Greece,
wealthy people wore fine gold jewelry as a symbol of their higher status in society. Gold pieces were created and often displayed in temples as a sign of devotion to a particular god.
In China, a gold dragon (considered lucky) would be
created in various golden forms to be worn on the body and displayed in
the household for luck.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 07 February 2008 )
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