Buying jewelry can be an exhilarating yet sometimes perplexing experience. Whether you're selecting a piece for a loved one or treating yourself, understanding industry terminology is crucial. This guide will help you navigate the basics of carats, karats, and more, ensuring you make an informed decision.
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."
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.
Karat | Gold Content (%) |
---|---|
24K | 100% |
18K | 75% |
14K | 58.3% |
10K | 41.7% |
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.
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."
Platinum is 30 times rarer than gold, making it a highly sought-after metal for fine jewelry (source).
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.
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.
When purchasing jewelry, whether online, from catalogs, or in traditional stores, it's essential to compare quality, price, and service. Here are some tips:
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.
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