Gold is Gold Right?

Buying gold jewelry can be fun and exciting but it also can be confusing.

If you are considering buying a gift of gold jewelry for that someone special or as a treat for yourself, it is best to be an informed consumer before you walk into that jewelry store. You are probably thinking: “I just want to buy a gold necklace gold is gold right?” Keep in mind that all that glitters is not always gold.

The word gold, used alone means all gold or 24 karat (24K) gold. Know that 24K gold is soft and it is usually mixed with other metals to increase its hardness and durability. If you are shown a piece of jewelry that is not 24 karat gold, then ask what the karat quality is.

The karat quality marking will tell you what portion of gold is mixed with the other metals. For instance fourteen karats (14K) gold jewelry contains 14 parts of gold, mixed with 10 parts of base metal.

Jewelry can also be plated with gold.

Gold plate refers to items that are mechanically plated, electroplated, or plated by any other means with gold to a base metal. Eventually, however; gold plating will wear away.

Gold-filled, gold overlay and rolled gold plate are terms used to describe jewelry that has a layer of at least 10 karat gold mechanically bonded to a base metal. If the jewelry is marked with one of these terms, the term or abbreviation should follow the karat quality of the gold used (for example, 14K Gold Overlay or 12K RGP). Gold electroplate describes jewelry that has a layer (at least .175 microns thick) of a minimum of 10 karat gold deposited on a base metal by an electrolytic process.

Confused? Let us help you get the best quality gold jewelry for your money. So if you are in the market to buy gold jewelry in San Diego then why not choose a company that prides itself on making customers for life. We are a small, family owned business and buy and sell at fair prices.