Gold has been used to craft jewelry as far back as 6,000 B.C., and it remains one of the most popular precious metals used in jewelry today. When making jewelry, you’ll generally find gold in five types, each with their own distinct properties and appearance. Here are the top 5 types of gold used in jewelry today!
1) Yellow Gold
The yellow hue of gold comes from adding metals like copper and zinc. Yellow gold has been used to make jewelry for thousands of years, including ancient Roman rings and bracelets. This type is now commonly used to create earrings, necklaces, and engagement rings.
If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to white gold or platinum, yellow gold engagement rings are your best bet. However, if you have nickel allergies you should be careful when shopping for jewelry—some people are allergic to nickel that’s used in yellow gold alloys! Because there are so many different kinds of yellow-gold jewelry out there with varying properties, make sure you check product details before making a purchase.
2) White Gold
White gold is an alloy consisting mostly of gold, but with some silver and other metals added to give it a white color. It is most often used as a substitute for platinum or palladium, which are much more expensive. Although white gold is cheaper than those metals, it’s still more expensive than yellow gold; however, because it does not tarnish easily, white gold can make for a beautiful choice for jewelry. Should you decide to buy a fine piece of white gold for yourself or your loved one, visit a jewelry store in your neighborhood to see what catches your eye.
The main advantage of white gold over platinum is that even though it costs less per ounce, it actually costs more to manufacture. The reason for that is that during manufacturing processes, impurities are removed from both gold and platinum alloys; these impurities leave visible traces on both metals after they have been polished – while they do not affect either metal’s value or its hardness (durability), they do affect their coloration.
This means that using titanium as an additive has become very popular in recent years because titanium produces a near-white appearance without affecting any of the physical properties of either metal.
3) Rose Gold
Despite its recent popularity, rose gold is one of five types of gold used in jewelry. The pinkish hue can be attributed to how it’s made: an alloy that combines copper and nickel with a higher proportion of silver than traditional gold.
You’ll find rose gold especially popular for earrings and jewelry (think rings, bracelets, pendants). Just like other metals, though, rose gold isn’t immune to scratches or discoloration over time. Before you make a purchase, test out your band at home by rubbing it against another piece of metal—if you see any noticeable scratches after 30 seconds, that ring probably won’t hold up well with everyday wear.
4) Platinum
Rare and luxurious, platinum is one of the highest-valued precious metals. Platinum has a bright white shine that can be achieved with little to no tarnish. It is extremely hard—the fourth hardest metal after diamond, moissanite and cubic zirconium—and it does not rust or discolor easily.
It’s also hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for people with sensitive skin. However, platinum’s rarity often makes it cost-prohibitive for jewelry makers; even small rings made from platinum could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars more than gold options. Also, while platinum tends to last longer than other precious metals like silver and gold, it is still relatively soft.
That means its longevity depends on proper care and maintenance: don’t wear platinum in harsh environments (it should never come into contact with chlorine) and always remove your jewelry before washing your hands. On top of all that, only around 50 percent of all platinum used in jewelry gets recycled each year (compared to around 80 percent for silver).
5) Palladium
Palladium is a rare, white-gray metal that was discovered by William Hyde Wollaston in 1803. For many years, palladium was thought to be an alloy of platinum and gold because it looks similar to those metals.
In fact, palladium used to be called white gold. Palladium is often used in jewelry pieces that are meant to resemble platinum or silver and it can also be mixed with other metals to make various alloys for jewelry. It can also be worked into its own set of designs based on its distinct metallic look.
Because it has a very low melting point (1,275 degrees Fahrenheit), palladium can also be melted down and reworked into new items as needed. That flexibility makes it especially desirable to jewelers and artists. Palladium is hypoallergenic too; most people who wear it never have any issues with irritation or allergic reactions. That’s why it’s so popular among people who wear piercing jewelry as well—the metal won’t cause infections like earrings made from common stainless steel might do over time.
Topical treatments are usually enough to keep irritation at bay when wearing earrings made from palladium, which makes them popular among adults who want fine jewelry without paying for expensive studs each time they want a fresh pair of earrings!
conclusion
So there you have it! The top five types of gold used in jewelry. If you’re looking to buy some for yourself or someone else, remember that with gold, you get what you pay for. Always do your research before purchasing jewelry and make sure you’re getting a high-quality product. Also remember that small amounts can make a huge difference.
For example, if something is 9k instead of 14k gold, it can affect how long it lasts and how well it will maintain its luster. All things considered, if you want to get your hands on some real 24k gold jewelry check out eBay; they have all kinds of different options available at all times so check them out today!
What is the difference between gold and platinum?
Gold is a yellow metal that is softer than platinum and has a lower melting point. Platinum is a white metal that is harder than gold and has a higher melting point.
What are the benefits of platinum over gold?
Platinum does not corrode or tarnish over time and it is hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for people with sensitive skin. It also has a longer lifespan than gold.
What is the difference between karats and purity?
The karat weight of gold refers to the proportion of gold in an alloy. 24k gold is pure gold, while 14k gold is 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals.
Why is platinum more expensive than gold?
Platinum is a rarer metal than gold and it has a higher melting point, making it more difficult to work with. It also has a longer lifespan than gold. platinum used in jewelry gets recycled each year (compared to around 80 percent for silver).
