Gold is known for its lustrous shine and dense nature, and is the softest and most pliable natural metal. In its purest form, gold is bright yellow in color, but is often mixed with other metals like silver and copper to create a more durable alloy that is resistant to wear and tear. These alloys can also produce shades of white, yellow, and rose. Brilliance specializes in high-quality 14 karat and 18 karat gold pieces, which are the standard for fine gold jewelry.

Gold Purity

Gold purity is graded using the karat system, which measures the ratio of pure gold to alloy metals in the metal. There are various grades of gold purity, ranging from 14 karats to 24 karats (pure gold). In India, 18 karat gold is the most popular choice. The purity of gold can vary greatly and is dependent on the specific country in which it is used.

The following are some common gold purities along with their characteristics and percentage of pure gold:

24 Karat Gold: In its purest form, this gold is comprised of 100% gold with virtually no alloy metals. It is very soft and pliable, making it suitable for mixing with other metals to create durable jewelry.
22 Karat Gold: This gold has a purity of 91.7% and is too soft to be used in jewelry. It is not as durable as 18K or 14K gold.
18 Karat Gold: This gold has a purity of 75% gold and 25% alloy metals. It is a popular choice for jewelry due to its balance of purity and strength.
14 Karat Gold: This gold has a purity of 58.3% and is made up of a mixture of gold and alloy metals. It is a common choice for high quality jewelry.

Hallmarking

In India, gold jewelry is required to be hallmarking with a stamp indicating the karat weight. The hallmarking system in India is regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and serves to ensure the purity and quality of gold jewelry sold in the country. All gold jewelry that is sold in India must be hallmarked by one of the BIS-approved assay centers. The hallmark includes various symbols and information about the gold, including the karat weight, the fineness of the gold, the name of the manufacturer, and the BIS logo. The hallmark provides customers with assurance that the gold jewelry they are purchasing meets certain standards of purity and quality.

In some countries, gold jewelry is required to be stamped with a hallmark indicating the karat weight. This is often represented by a number (such as 18 or 14) followed by ‘K’, ‘KT’, or ‘karat’.

Colors of Gold

Gold is often mixed with other fine metals to create a more durable and hard alloy for use in jewelry. This results in a range of rich shades that are popular in their own right. Brilliance offers a variety of hues in their fine gold jewelry. Due to its soft and pliable nature, pure gold is not often used on its own in jewelry making.

Yellow Gold

Gold is a popular choice for fine jewelry, particularly for engagement rings and wedding bands. Its warm and lustrous appearance is achieved through the mixing of silver and copper alloys. The shade of yellow gold can vary based on the karat weight, with higher karat weights producing a richer and more vibrant color. For example, an 18 karat yellow gold ring will have a more brilliant color than a 14 karat ring. Yellow gold is the most commonly used shade of gold in jewelry making.

White Gold

White gold is a popular choice for engagement rings and wedding rings and is achieved by mixing alloy metals such as palladium, zinc, copper, tin, and manganese with pure yellow gold. The highest quality of white gold jewelry is typically 18 karats, which is a mixture of pure yellow gold and palladium. At Brilliance, white gold jewelry is coated with a protective layer of Rhodium, a shiny white metal that has a similar appearance to platinum. This coating helps to maintain the original luster of the white gold and can be reapplied periodically. White gold is a beautiful and durable choice for fine jewelry.

Rose Gold

Rose gold jewelry gets its distinctive color from a mixture of copper and silver. The amount of copper used determines the shade of rose color, with a higher ratio resulting in a darker color. The most valuable type of rose gold is known as ‘crown gold’ and has a karat weight of 22. The more common 18 karat rose gold is made up of 25% copper and 75% gold. Rose gold is often associated with romance and is a popular choice for fine jewelry.

Gold Pricing

Gold is generally an expensive metal, due to its rarity and excess of demand. The price of the metal is determined by its fineness, or by the karat purity that marks the ratio of pure gold to other metals. Another factor that comes into play when determining the price of jewelry is the aesthetic design and the method of craftsmanship. As a general rule, a carefully handmade piece will be more expensive than a mass-produced version.