14K Gold

14ct gold is a great choice for a wedding ring or any other jewelry. Such a beautiful and durable metal has a reasonable price. In this case, the color may vary depending on the alloy.

14 carat gold means that it contains 41.5% ligatures and 58.5% yellow metal. As the most malleable of all metals, it is an ideal material for creating exquisite jewelry. 14 K is a mixture in which there is zinc, nickel and copper. Since the metal itself is relatively soft, it means alloyed metals enhance its properties.

14 K gold is definitely present. Contrary to popular belief, no jewelry is made using 100% pure metal. The reason is simple: pure 24 K gold is extremely soft, so scratches quickly remain on it even with minimal mechanical stress. Moreover, it is easily deformed and bent.

To make the metal more durable, silver and copper, as well as other metals, are added to it. Depending on which element is included in the composition of gold, its properties may vary.

Zinc in the composition gives a white color, thanks to it it is possible to reduce the melting point of the material. Gold becomes harder and more plastic from nickel; it also gives the composition magnetic properties. But in the presence of copper, gold is more susceptible to corrosion, although more durable.If you want to achieve the desired elasticity, then it is better to add platinum to the gold.

When choosing 14 carat gold, you can see several shades: white, pink and yellow. Although they are very similar in appearance, each material is different in composition. The choice of metal color for a wedding ring or jewelry should be based primarily on personal preferences.

Benefits of 14K White Gold:

• currently more popular than yellow gold;
• more affordable option than platinum;
• the alloy is more durable and scratch resistant;
• complements a white diamond better than yellow gold.

Disadvantages:

• it needs to be cleaned every few years to preserve the color and luster of the decoration;
• usually nickel is present in the mixture, causing an allergic reaction in some people.

The various 14K gold colors are practically unchanged in price. Despite the fact that white metal is similar to more expensive options, such as platinum, it is an affordable solution with excellent value for money.

Yellow gold contains zinc and copper.

Benefits:

• it is the most hypoallergenic metal of the three types;
• historically the most popular option for engagement rings;
• the purest alloy of all;
• retains its shine for a long time;
• easy to process.

Disadvantages: prone to scratches and dents.

Pink gold always has copper in it, and it is it that gives such a shade. The more it is present in the mixture, the redder the gold.

Benefits:

• Suitable for both male and female jewelry;
• usually a more affordable option, because copper is inexpensive;
• durable metal.

Disadvantages:

• not hypoallergenic, may cause an allergic reaction;
• not found in every jewelry store.

Regardless of who the manufacturer of the jewelry is, no one has the right to stamp himself. Only the Assay Chamber has such a prerogative. There are always 4 elements on Russian 14K gold:

• letter;
• female silhouette in a kokoshnik;
• sample in the form of numbers;
• frame.

Western markings are different. In the USA, gold jewelry does not have a stamp indicating cleanliness. Instead, product logs are marked on the packaging. Some manufacturers stamp their gold with the letter “K”, while others use “CT”. Both options mean the same thing. 14 K is one of the most common stamps used to indicate that the jewelry is made of 14 carat gold.

Some countries have their own laws on product labeling, which indicate that the country of origin must be imprinted on the jewelry, if it is exported. Some products can also be minted with a specific city, region or sign of the Assay Office.

14 K 585 or just 585 - this stamp shows the amount of gold in the alloy per 1000 units. 14-carat contains 58.3% of pure gold or 583 grams per thousand. It may be 583, but this is essentially the same. The price of gold jewelry with embossed 585 and 583 is identical. There is no difference in cost or cleanliness. It is important to know that there are other common gold markings that include the term 14K. These include the following.

• 14K GP. GP means gold-plated, that is, the product has only a layer of gold on top.
• 14K GEP or 14K GE. GE or GEP means plating. That is, the model is only plated with gold using electroplating - a process in which a thin layer of metal is applied to the base material using electric current.
• 14K GF. GF means that the outer layer is wrapped around the base metal.

As we mentioned above, not all countries require gold jewelry manufacturers to stamp their products.Thus, if the product is not stamped, this does not necessarily mean that it is not gold.

By purchasing a product on the Internet, you can run into a fake. There is a high probability of stumbling into deception and abroad. From where our tourists often bring gold products as souvenirs. If a jewelry with karat marking is found in a store in our country, then it is more likely an imported product, and here it is sold illegally. Imported gold may not reach the specified 585 or 583 samples.

When goods are imported into the country legally, He is definitely tested for quality. The Assay Chamber is involved in the examination. In this case, there will be two markings on the jewelry during the sale, the second is a guarantee that the client will not be deceived. Today, fraudsters have learned to falsify the test, so it can not always be a proof of the purity of the metal.

First of all, you should pay attention to whether the grooves on the mark are clogged with dirt, how well the sample is read, and how clearly the numbers are plotted. All this is often a hallmark of a real stamp from a fake.

You can find a lot of advice on how to chemically find out if a jewelry is made of gold or just covered on top. However, finding aqua regia and other reagents is not so simple, and you can just ruin the jewelry. Gold-plated items have a sample of 800, 830, 875, 925 and 960. If it is gold-plated, then after a few months it will be erased and darken.

You can keep the attractive appearance of gold longer if you know how to properly care for it. These are not those products in which it is worth washing dishes, cleaning the house. Gold after constant contact with chemicals loses its luster. Negative effect on its attractiveness and decorative cosmetics. If the jewelry is stored in a box, it is advisable to provide for it a separate package. Cloth bags minimize friction; scratches do not appear on the surface for longer.

There are specialized tools for cleaning gold jewelry, which are sold at a small price in the store. If you follow these simple rules, gold will shine longer, and the jewelry will delight its owner.

Knowledge and the ability to distinguish real gold from a fake makes it possible to successfully invest your money. These simple rules are easy to remember. If you do not want to lose your money, then it is better to buy a product in a trusted store. If you decide to buy online, then you should first ask the seller for a product certificate or act at your own risk.

See how to clean gold yourself in the video below.