The type, color and karat of the metal you choose, affects the way your gems show face up in the piece of jewelry, and that's what we'll cover throughout this article: how to pick the ideal metal for your jewelry.
What color of gold will suit you best?
Every piece of jewelry has a metal component that accentuates the wonderful contrast between the piece, the gems it holds, and your skin. Some metals look better on certain skin tones than others. Some metals highlight certain gemstones better than others. So, let's go over each metal type and how to wear it in the best way possible.
A good rule of thumb is that people with cooler skin tones appear best in light metals, such as platinum and white gold. Rose and yellow gold jewelry looks best on warm complexions. Those with neutral skin tones will look great in any white, rose, and yellow metals.
What are the different gold colors available?
Gold is the most non-reactive of all the metals, which means that it won't react with most chemicals or oxygen, so it won't tarnish, rust, or perish. This characteristic makes it an ideal option for being used in high-status items, like fine jewelry, that is meant to last forever and maintain its worth and quality.
The traditional setting for most jewelry, gold is known for its beauty and versatility. It's also the most malleable of all metals, and since it's so soft, it can't be utilized for jewelry in its pure state.
Karat refers to the percentage of the gold in the alloy. Typically, all gold used to create jewelry, needs to be mixed with other metals such and copper, silver, and/or zinc. The purest form of gold that is undiluted with any other metal is called 24kt gold which has 100% gold.
Unfortunately, this type of gold is too soft to be used to set any gems or diamonds in it. The most commonly used gold purity is 14kt Gold which is 58.3% pure gold. But this type of gold is mixed with copper, silver and zinc. Depending on whether it is being made into white gold, yellow gold or rose gold, the proportions of the alloy will change. In the same way, 10Kt gold holds 42% pure gold and the rest are base metals mixed into the alloy. 18Kt gold is 75% pure gold and the rest are base metals.
- 10K = 10/24 = 42% Gold
- 14K = 14/24 = 58.3% Gold
- 18K= 18/24 = 75% Gold
- 22K = 22/24 = 92% Gold
- 24K = 24/24 = 100% Gold
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold was a popular gold color choice in the olden days, when white gold was not an option. It's a heavily preferred material for jewelry, particularly for engagement and wedding rings. This is because it appeals to those who appreciate its rich warm color.
There are several reasons in choosing yellow gold as a precious metal for your jewelry. Firstly it is the original color of pure gold. Secondly, it is a great choice for someone looking for a warmer tone in their jewelry as well as showing off on a warmer skin tone. Yellow gold enhances the color and beauty of gemstones such as yellow diamonds, citrines and yellow sapphires.
White Gold
White gold is one of the most popular gold color today, in engagement rings and wedding rings. Thai is largely due to the fact that it faces up beautifully on lighter skin tones as well as darker ones. It is extremely versatile to pair with various outfits and can look casual as well as upscale depending on how you wear it.
In addition, white gold is more malleable than platinum, which means that this material can be worked into fine, delicate shapes more easily.
Similar to platinum, white gold is made from alloys with one or more white metals, like palladium or nickel. It's also less expensive than platinum, making it an excellent choice for those who want the beauty of platinum, but with the legacy and classical style of gold.
Rose Gold
Sometimes referred to as pink gold, rose gold is a precious metal resulting from gold alloys with a greater copper percentage. It can vary in color depending upon the metal alloy’s composition. It is popular for many types of jewelry, from engagement rings to necklaces.
Rose gold is one of the most attractive, lovely, and feminine options available for gold jewelry. Its delicate color matches all skin tones and adds a timeless elegance to any event or situation, formal or casual.
Platinum
Platinum is the most valuable metals used in jewelry. Its value is simple to understand; platinum pieces are incredibly durable and won't tarnish, ever.
Additionally, platinum is the perfect everyday jewelry due to its incredible durability.
Platinum is also naturally hypoallergenic because of its high purity level, making it the best option for people with sensitive skin. As a result, platinum jewelry is always a good choice.
Recycled
Gold mining is an unclean industry as unethical and out-of-date as diamond mining. Communities are uprooted as a result of gold mining, which also pollutes drinking water, harms workers, produces tons of garbage, alters landscapes and communities for the worse, and contaminates ecosystems with toxic waste, leading to widespread water contamination.
At Grown Brilliance, we work only with great quality recycled metals to ensure they are well built, but they are produced under ethical and environmentally friendly standards.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Actually, there is no "rarer" gold. Gold normally comes in yellow, and refined gold is alloyed with other metals. Copper, silver, nickel, palladium, and zinc are some of the most common metals used to mix with gold to achieve different colors, such as white gold and rose gold.
In comparison to other colors of gold, rose gold's base metal is copper, which is less expensive than silver – which is used on white gold. Consequently, rose gold could be a little less costly than white or yellow gold. However, bear in mind that the price is based primarily on the amount of pure gold, not the alloy.
There is no definitive answer to this question because it depends on what your idea of “the best” is. The primary distinctions between these weights are in terms of color and durability. Because 24K (pure) gold is soft, other base metals are alloyed or blended with it to strengthen its hardness, durability, and look.
14K, 18K and 24K gold are among the most popular selections of precious metals for jewelry. The main difference between them is the gold percentage, as you can see above. Another difference is that the jewelry made of 18K gold has a richer yellow color in contrast to those made of 14K, which has a lighter tone due to the added alloys.
However, it doesn't mean that jewelry made of 14K gold is worse than those made of 18K. In fact, they tend to be more durable and harder since they contain more alloy.
To do this test, start by filling half of a container with enough water to cover your gold item with room to spare. After this, drop your gold item into the water gently.
Real gold is a heavy metal that does not float, so if your gold object floats, it is not genuine. Also, rust or tarnishing on the object after being in the water is a sign that it is not real gold because gold does not rust or tarnish. Because of the potential of tarnishing, you might not want to do this experiment on a costly item.
Diamonds created in a laboratory have the same thermal and electrical conductivity as mined diamonds. As a result, they will pass the diamond tester exam.
