Precious Metals—Precious Gifts: Tips for Buying Platinum, Gold, or Silver Jewelry

Understanding Carats and Karats

Carats: Measuring Gemstone Weight

A carat is a unit of weight used for gemstones, including diamonds. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. The term "carat" is often abbreviated as "ct."

Karats: Measuring Gold Purity

A karat, abbreviated as "K" or "kt," measures the purity of gold. Pure gold is 24 karats (24K), but because it is soft, it is often alloyed with other metals to enhance its durability. For example, 14K gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals.

Gold Jewelry: What You Need to Know

Pure Gold vs. Alloyed Gold

Pure gold (24K) is rarely used in jewelry due to its softness. Instead, gold is alloyed with metals like copper, silver, or zinc to improve its strength. The karat quality indicates the proportion of gold in the alloy.

Gold Plating and Overlay

• Gold Plate: A base metal covered with a thin layer of gold, applied mechanically or electronically. The durability of gold plating depends on the thickness of the gold layer and how often the item is worn.
• Gold-Filled/Gold Overlay: Jewelry with a layer of at least 10K gold mechanically bonded to a base metal. These items are more durable than gold-plated pieces.

Platinum: The Premium Choice

Platinum is a highly valued precious metal, often more expensive than gold. It is usually alloyed with metals like palladium or iridium. Platinum purity is measured in parts per thousand. For example, "900 Platinum" means 900 parts out of 1000 are pure platinum. Jewelry may be marked with "Plat." or "Pt."

Interesting Fact

Platinum is 30 times rarer than gold, making it a highly sought-after metal for fine jewelry (source).

Silver: Affordable Elegance

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver contains at least 92.5% pure silver, often marked as "925." According to federal law, quality-marked silver must also bear the name or a U.S. registered trademark of the company or person standing behind the mark.

Silver Plating and Vermeil

• Silver Plate: A layer of silver bonded to a base metal.
• Vermeil: Sterling silver coated or plated with gold.

Pewter: A Versatile Option

Pewter items must contain at least 90% tin to be described and marked as such. Pewter is a durable and affordable option for various types of jewelry.

Shopping Tips

When purchasing jewelry, whether online, from catalogs, or in traditional stores, it's essential to compare quality, price, and service. Here are some tips:

• Compare Prices: Look at different retailers to find the best deal.
• Check Return Policies: Understand the refund and return policies before making a purchase.
• Get a Sales Receipt: Ensure the receipt includes any information you relied on when making your purchase.

Conclusion

Buying jewelry can be a rewarding experience when you are well-informed. By understanding the basics of carats, karats, and the different types of precious metals, you can make a confident and satisfying purchase. Happy shopping!

For more detailed information on precious metals, you can visit The World Gold Council and The Platinum Guild International.