If you’re planning to buy a piece of gold jewelry, there are a few things you need to consider before making a purchase. Among other things, you need to determine the frequency of wear, the type of wear you will be doing, and your budget. Then, you can make the right choice for your needs.
Solid gold is the most durable
The highest quality gold jewelry is made from solid gold. This type of gold is extremely durable, will never fade, and is hypoallergenic. However, solid gold jewelry can be very expensive and may not be affordable for all people. Many retailers mark up their products heavily, and a simple necklace may cost hundreds of dollars.
Solid gold is the most expensive type of gold jewelry, and is made from all pure gold. The purity of gold can be measured in karats. 24 karats is the purest form, while one karat means one part of pure gold and 23 parts of other metal. Solid gold is also the best choice for gold jewelry because it will never fade in color or become tarnished. You can even sell solid gold pieces for money during financial crises.
Yellow gold is less durable
While yellow gold is one of the oldest precious metals, its use for gold jewelry is less common today. However, it retains a warm look, and it is relatively easy to repair and maintain. For example, you can easily resize a yellow gold ring for a low cost, and the repairs can be made in a short period of time. More extensive repairs will take more time, but they are still very inexpensive.
Yellow gold is less durable for gold jewelry, so you should look for pieces made of 14 karat gold or higher. 14 karat gold is harder and less susceptible to scratches than 18 karat gold. Higher-karat gold is better for thick and showy gold necklaces.
White gold is brighter
If you are looking for a modern piece of jewelry with a modern look, you’ve probably noticed the new white gold jewelry designs. This type of gold is brighter than yellow gold and is more reflective than its yellow counterpart. It is often rhodium-plated and gives off a bright white gleam. White gold may appear brassy or yellowish if the rhodium has been worn away, but a quick re-plating will bring it back to its white luster.
White gold is made by melting yellow gold and alloying it with palladium, a rare and shiny metal. This alloy gives white gold a whiter color that can be easily matched to any outfit. Palladium white gold jewelry is also hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for people with nickel allergies.
Green gold is more durable
If you are looking for a durable gold or silver jewelry material, green gold may be for you. The green color is attractive and non-traditional, which sets green gold jewelry apart. There are different shades of green, including light shades that are subtle and contain some silver. However, green gold may tarnish over time and requires maintenance.
This type of gold is less expensive than traditional yellow gold. Depending on purity, green gold can be as cheap as 14K or even less expensive than 18K gold. Some jewellers choose to plate other metals with green gold instead of gold, which is a safer option. But this method has many drawbacks, including wear and tear.
White gold is plated with rhodium to increase its brightness
Rhodium plating is a process where jewelers add a layer of rhodium to a piece of white gold jewelry to make it more bright and shiny. The process also improves the resistance of the jewelry to scratches. While it is most often used for white gold jewelry, it can also be applied to pieces of silver. It is applied in four separate steps, and requires a special plating kit and chemicals.
Rhodium plating can improve the brightness of your white gold jewelry dramatically. It is also an affordable way to renew your white gold jewelry. The process of rhodium plating makes the metal hypoallergenic and forms a protective barrier between the jewelry and your skin. This means that if you wear the jewelry frequently, it will not fade as quickly as yellow gold.
Vermeil is a cheaper alternative to solid gold
Vermeil jewelry is made with a layer of gold over another metal. It is considered a precious metal, and is more affordable than solid gold. While gold vermeil jewelry is still made of solid silver, the gold layer is much thinner than that of pure gold. Despite the price difference, you can be confident that your jewelry is still made of the highest quality.
Vermeil jewelry is not difficult to maintain. You should use a soft cloth to clean it and avoid using any type of chemical cleaner. However, be sure not to wear the jewelry in water, as it will change the finish permanently.