Wearing beautiful gold necklaces has been a symbol of beauty and status since at least 2500 BC. They look gorgeous and are a treasured special gift. Often gold necklaces are worn with gemstones for that extra special look.
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Gold Necklaces:
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Why Use Gold?
Gold looks beautifully rich, is a metal that tends to retain its value, and is relatively easy to change shape. One can make wonderfully ornate pieces that would be impossible to make with a harder metal. Gold is less expensive than platinum but more expensive than sterling silver.
Appearances of Gold
Gold has been the preferred metal for crafting necklaces for both men and women throughout history. Alloys can alter the color and appearance of gold, from that of a true yellow-gold with a polished shine, to a rose tint that has been brushed for a subdued effect.
Custom gold necklaces can easily be created by choosing a length and weight desired by the wearer -- and adding special touches, such as gemstones, according to the wearer's preference.
Gold Quality
The purity of jeweler's gold is measured in karats, which are expressed in units of 24ths. Pure gold is 24-karat or 100 percent gold. The most common types of gold for jewelry are: 18-karat gold (75 percent gold), 14-karat gold (58.5 percent gold), and 10-karate gold (41.7 percent gold). Gold jewelry will often be priced according to the percentage gold used.
Colors of Gold
Naturally occurring non-yellow gold is not found in nature. Rose, white or green gold have to be created by alloying yellow gold and another metal. These "shades" of gold are created by mixing 24K yellow gold with a variety of other metals. The percentage of the other metals (copper, silver, zinc, nickel) produces the different colors of gold. Any karat other than 24K gold (pure gold) is called an "alloy".
Rose gold is produced by increasing the copper-colored alloys and decreasing the any silver-colored additives. By increasing lighter alloys of zinc, silver, nickel and copper tone down the yellow gold. The resulting 14K white gold contains the same amount of gold as 14K yellow gold but is nearly white in color, though it still carries diminutive yellowish hint.
With its subtle, natural appearance, green gold combines well when used with yellow, white and pink gold. An alloy of pure yellow gold and pure silver produces the green tint. For durability, harder metals such as nickel or zinc can be used. To create true 14K green gold, jewelers use 14 parts yellow gold and ten parts silver.