What standard is real gold?

What types of gold are there?

Gold is a profitable investment. Jewelry made from it is distinguished by its noble beauty, and its value is always high. However, depending on the purity, gold can have different prices, colors and characteristics. So lovers of this precious metal should know what gold samples are and what they generally are.

What is gold purity

Pure yellow gold has a rich color and increased density. This is a very heavy metal, which, despite all its value and beauty, cannot be used in jewelry.

The reason is that gold without impurities is too soft, it quickly deforms, and damage often appears on it. In order to solve this problem since ancient times, jewelry craftsmen have learned to add various alloys to gold, which made it stronger and more convenient to process.

This is how yellow and white gold is made, which can be used in the jewelry industry.

Pure yellow gold has a rich color and increased density

Most often, impurities in this metal are copper and silver. As additional components, the following can be taken: platinum, nickel, palladium or zinc. All these metals make gold strong and shiny. At the same time, impurities are reflected in the color; it can become white, pink, or remain yellow, but in a more delicate tone.

Interesting!

In ancient times, gold samples did not exist, so scammers skillfully counterfeited this valuable metal. It was only during the time of Peter I that a spool-type sampling system was introduced, which made it possible to distinguish a fake from the original.

To make it easier for jewelers to determine the amount of main metal (pure gold) and impurities in the alloy, a standard is placed on it - a number. It displays the percentage of gold content and additional components.

Currently there is no single system that is used throughout the world. In Tsarist Russia, the old spool system was used. Today it is not used, and such designations are found only on precious items made in the old days. Nowadays, in the countries of the former Soviet Union, the metric system is used (calculation is carried out in grams). And in Europe, Asia, the USA and Canada, the characteristics of alloys are checked using the carat system.

Metric system of the USSR, Russia, Ukraine

Gold assay systems

There are several varieties of yellow gold hallmark systems, but currently only three are the most famous.

• Zolotnikovaya is the most ancient variety, which is no longer used today. It was used during the reign of Peter I to reduce fraud. There were 2 numbers on the gold, which indicated the volume of pure gold, measured in spools (1 spool - 1/96th of a pound). At the same time, the most significant and expensive hallmark was considered to be 96. Today, such hallmarks are found on antique items or ancient jewelry.
• The metric system replaced the spool system in 1927. It is still used in post-Soviet countries. Depending on the place of manufacture of the product, a symbol is placed next to the numbers. For example, in Russia it is a woman’s head, in Ukraine it is a Trident, in Belarus it is a bison, and in Kazakhstan it is the head of a snow leopard. The karate system is relevant in America, Asia and most European countries
• The karate system is relevant in America, Asia and most European countries. The highest marking is 24k, and the lowest is 8k.

Important!

Hallmark is a sign that the jewelry is genuine and not counterfeit.

Below is a table where you can track the consistency of samples from all three systems.

Zolotnikovaya	Metric	Carat
96	999	24
92	958	23
88	900	22
72	750	18
56	585	14
48	500	12
36	375	9

What types of samples are there?

Any modern piece of jewelry made of yellow or white gold is hallmarked. It allows you to determine the authenticity of the product and understand what alloy it is made of. There are also samples that are not used at all in the jewelry industry, as they are too soft and quickly deform.

• 375 standard indicates that the jewelry contains 37.5% gold, and the remaining 63% is copper and silver. If there is more silver than copper in the composition, then the color will be yellowish or white, and if, on the contrary, it will be reddish. Gold with 375 purity has good strength and costs little. However, such an alloy quickly oxidizes, becoming coated with iron sulfide. Compositions of gold alloys affecting the purity and color
• 500 standard is an alloy containing 50% gold, copper and 50% silver. This kind of gold does not oxidize, but the appearance is not at the highest level. This is a typical rose gold, which differs from the previous version in that it has a longer service life and is more expensive.
• 583 is the hallmark that can be seen on old jewelry. Initially, when the metric system was introduced, this particular marking was used. Today it is no longer used. In 2000, it was replaced by 585 sample.
• 585 standard is the most famous type of gold standard. Jewelers consider it an ideal ratio for making various jewelry. The alloy is strong, durable and beautiful at the same time. There is 58% gold and only 42% impurities.
• 750 standard is the highest type of gold standard used for the production of jewelry. 75% here is gold, and the rest is impurities. The color of such decoration depends on the amount of certain impurities. This gold can be white, red, yellow and other colors. It is very easy to process.
• 958 standard is not used for making jewelry. The alloy contains more than 95% gold, so it is soft, bends and deforms easily. Yellow color. Used to create custom collectibles. Gold hallmark systems
• 980 standard is also unsuitable for jewelry, but similar gold was taken for the production of coins. It is also often called royal gold or ducat gold.
• 999 standard – “three nines” gold is not suitable for jewelry. It is sold and bought as bullion. Such yellow gold quickly deforms, the color is dull and yellow.

Important!

White gold has the same hallmarks as yellow gold, but the composition and production are different.

Which standard of gold is better

It is impossible to say for sure which sample is the best or the worst. They all have their own benefits and uses. Plain gold, without additives, is useless in jewelry, but 585 gold is not profitable for sale in bullion. To understand in each specific case which gold standard is better, it is important to be able to understand them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plFDk8mPr3w

Gold comes in different types and has many uses. The ability to navigate samples allows you to quickly purchase the right thing. Based on the sellers' suggestions, it is easy to understand whether they know their business and save money. After all, products up to 585 standard are the most budget-friendly, while 585 standard is affordable and expensive jewelry. But products with 750 purity are the most valuable option, of the highest class, and it is simply impossible to purchase such gold at a low cost!

Source: https://sapfira.net/kakie-byvayut-proby-zolota.html

How to distinguish gold from fake at home?

If you want to know how to distinguish gold from a fake, then this material will be useful to you. How can you identify fake gold yourself without turning to jewelers?

Firstly, you need to know the characteristics of gold as a metal, and secondly, you don’t have to run to a specialized store; you can do several steps to determine the authenticity of the metal right at home.

How to distinguish gold from fake? 10 ways

Before choosing one of the methods, you need to know about the hallmarks that are placed on gold and the features of this noble metal.

Try

Each gold item has a hallmark or hallmark. Seeing a sample is not so difficult, but if you take a magnifying glass and look through it, you can clearly see the sample number, carat weight or other special designations that indicate the authenticity of the product (for example, markings of a jewelry factory or something else).

For each piece of jewelry there are certain standards for the location of samples. Where should they be:

• Earrings - with a clasp;
• Rings - on the inner rim;
• Bracelet with clasp;
• Stud earrings - the stem of the product or clasp;
• Clock - inner side of the lid;
• Products with an English lock - lock shackle.

What do the test numbers mean? For example, 999 is the highest standard of pure gold. But the 585 sample is very common in jewelry stores and pawnshops, and it means that in addition to gold, there are other metals in it. That is, it is gold with impurities; people say it is an alloy.

Characteristics of gold

In order to identify real gold, you need to know about its characteristics and what it looks like. Guided by this knowledge, it will be easier for you to choose jewelry, because iodine, magnet or vinegar is not always at hand on the market. How to check whether it is real or not?

Sound

If you throw a ring on a table, it will make a characteristic ringing sound, similar to the ringing of crystal. Using an empty glass or glass, you can achieve the same sound by throwing a ring into it and listening to how clear the ringing is. But alas, this is difficult to do with other products.

Bite (strength test)

Gold is an inherently soft metal, which means it will definitely leave dents from your teeth. The deeper the dents, the higher the gold purity. But there is a drawback here - lead is also soft, so this method also does not provide a 100% guarantee.

Color

But we do not recommend identifying gold by color. It not only comes in different shades of yellow, but also white, red or pink.

How to check whether it is real or not? There are 10 ways to identify real gold. We do not recommend choosing one method. To be sure, choose two or three, or preferably four.

Ceramics

For this test method, we need a ceramic plate without a glazed coating (tiles are also suitable). Is there one like this on the farm? Then this option will work!

• Take a plate and decoration.
• We pass the decoration along the plate, lightly pressing the product.
• Let's look at the result. If there is a black mark left, the jewelry is fake; if it is golden, authenticity is guaranteed.

We handle gold carefully, as it can be severely scratched during testing. And don’t forget that sometimes products are plated with gold only on the outside, while inside you can find copper, brass, and other metals. So it’s better to check the products with several options.

Vinegar

If you put jewelry in a glass of vinegar, it will not have any effect on gold, but it can oxidize other metals. By omitting the gold, the vinegar will remain just as transparent, but other metals, when oxidized, can make the liquid cloudy and darken.

Iodine

A good old way to check the authenticity of gold. Apply a drop of iodine solution to the inner surface (if possible) and observe. If the product does not change color in this place, then it is gold. And if the color changes to gray or black, we consider the product to be fake.

Magnet

If you have a real magnet, then feel free to throw it in your pocket when going to a jewelry store. It is important to note that refrigerator magnets or thin magnetic tapes will not work. You need to purchase a thick, good magnet, which is used when working with metals.

As a result, you need to remember that gold is not attracted, and if the product is attracted, then its authenticity is doubtful, it is rather a low-quality alloy.

Be careful, tin and aluminum will not react to a magnet, but they weigh very little, so be sure to weigh the product. And, for example, copper will be slightly attracted to the magnetic surface.

Nitric acid

This method is high quality, but a little complicated. It must be done at home.

1. For the test, you need to take a metal dish without visible stains.
2. Place the product on the bottom.
3. Take a pipette, collect nitric acid and drop 1 drop onto the product.
4. If it has a greenish tint, you have metal in front of you. The color of the milk is an alloy of gold with impurities. The product has not changed color - pure gold.

Black bread

A popular method that takes a couple of days of your time.

1. Take a crumb of black bread.
2. Roll the crumb in such a way that the product is inside the bread.
3. Leave it for a couple of days.
4. When you break it, the gold will not change color, but the metal will darken and oxidize.

Pharmacy pencil

But not just from a pharmacy, but lapis. It is used to stop bleeding and treat wounds. It is sold in every pharmacy.

1. Wet the gold.
2. Draw a pencil over the surface.
3. Pat dry with a towel.
4. You won’t find any traces on the gold; a pencil mark will remain on the fake.

Needle

The needle will help determine whether the product is gold or gold plated. You need to scratch the jewelry item and look for scratches. If they are present and the gilding is peeling off the item, then you are holding a fake, but if there are no scratches, then the item is real.

If you are not afraid of damaging the gold item, take a metal nail file and scratch the item. The result is the same as after the needle.

Sun

The authenticity of gold is also checked outside on a bright sunny day. But this method cannot be relied upon with 100% certainty.

1. Examine the decoration in the shade.
2. Take it out into the sun and look again. The original does not change its luster and color; other metals may change depending on the lighting.

Archimedes' method

This method is not easy and takes a certain amount of time and effort.

1. Take a deep bowl and measure its volume.
2. Pour enough water into the bowl so that when you lower the product, water begins to pour out.
3. According to Archimedes' law, a buoyant force acts on a thing that is lowered into water, which is equal to the weight of the water itself in the volume of the product in the water. The density of water is 900 kg per 1 m3 cubed. Using this formula we calculate the mass of gold.

The problem has an asterisk, but this method was often previously used in determining the authenticity of a product.

What is the difference between gold and gilding?

The decoration consists entirely of gold alloy - both inside and outside. Gilding is only the top layer of the product. The product is made from another metal, and only gold is sprayed on top, so some of the methods described above are not suitable for determining authenticity (for example, methods for determining authenticity in the sun or using iodine).

Gilding is most easily determined using the needle or nail file method, which were described above. The top layer is easy to wash off. And if there is yellow metal inside, run it across the ceramic, it will definitely leave a black mark.

It is also important to know that gold-plated products are not hallmarked, so they are easy to distinguish. But the sample is not a guarantee of quality; it is placed on individual parts of the product. Therefore, read on, how not to be deceived by scammers in the gold market?

about how to identify real gold.

How to avoid becoming a victim of scammers?

In the modern world, some scammers manage to send only part of the jewelry, such as a clasp, for examination and confirmation. The jeweler checks the product and, of course, tests it, since the metal on the clasp meets the standards. The clasp is returned to the seller and he embeds it into a low quality counterfeit piece of jewelry.

There are certain rules on how to avoid falling into the clutches of scammers. By following them, you guarantee yourself peace of mind and the purchase of truly gold products.

• Choose your stores carefully. You should not buy gold in small shops or pawn shops. Check the quality certificates and don’t believe them if they convince you that samples and stamps are not stamped abroad. Not a single piece of jewelry can cross the border without samples and documents.
• Sample 583. This sample was set in Soviet times, that is, there are practically no fakes. Do not be alarmed if you are offered the purchase of such a product. This is a quality item, buy without hesitation.
• A copper product can be distinguished from gold using the “Strength Test” method. Copper leaves a coppery taste in the mouth. Gold has no aftertaste. Copper also oxidizes quickly and darkens over time.
• Often on the shelves we see jewelry made from an alloy of titanium and gold. In fact, there is only one name, since such jewelry does not contain a single gram of gold.
• Price. You should not think that the price of gold cannot be lower than your ideas about gold. The pricing policy varies based on the weight of the jewelry, the country of its manufacturer, the size and complexity of the product.
• The most common samples are 585 and 750. They are easy to decipher. 585 means that the product contains 58.5% gold, respectively, in jewelry 750 samples - 75% of the noble metal. But when you are in Turkey, do not believe a single sample. They put whatever sample they want there.
• Unevenness, roughness, scratches, chips, poorly printed sample, uneven color - all these are indicators of low-quality products.

It should be understood that you are unlikely to see gold in its pure form anywhere in a store or pawnshop. You shouldn’t chase 999 fineness, it’s not practical at least from the point of view that gold is a soft metal. If you wear a ring made of pure gold, you will bend it on the very first day you hold the handrail on public transport.

Source: https://originalpoddelka.ru/dragocennosti/zoloto/

Types and samples of gold

Yellow, white, red And also green, pink, purple How do these types of noble metal differ?
What are the hallmarks of gold, which is better: 585 or 14 carats?
What determines the price of a gram of gold?
Which one is more profitable to buy? Moneyinformer.ru tries to give the most complete answers to these and other important questions for buyers of gold jewelry.

How are color and sample related?

Gold comes in different purities. This is its main characteristic and it is important to keep in mind first of all. Any gold product: coin, jewelry or bar can and usually contains impurities of other metals.

The amount of natural gold in the product and the amount of impurities is reflected in the marking applied to it - the hallmark or hallmark. Samples vary in appearance and measuring system, but you can always find out from them what percentage of “pure” gold the product contains.

(Of course, only if the information on it is reliable).

And the color depends on the type of additives in the gold alloy. It affects the price to a much lesser extent, with some exceptions (for example, in the case of white gold).

What determines the price of gold

When they talk about the cost of gold, they usually mean the price per 1 gram of pure metal on exchanges; it constantly changes depending on the situation in the financial and trading markets.

Since most gold products are an alloy of several metals, their “technical” price will be calculated strictly on the weight of pure gold included in the alloy. “Technical” refers to the price at which the product can be sold to buyers of precious metals, for example, pawn shops.

The type of gold - whether it is yellow, or green, or purple - does not matter in this aspect. It goes without saying that the product may have artistic value, and then it may be able to sell for more. But this has nothing to do with the “technical” price.

True, in rare cases, additives in the alloy themselves can be precious, for example, platinum, as sometimes happens with white gold.

Gold samples

The sample is applied to a gold product by the manufacturer and contains information about the percentage of pure precious metal Au in the alloy of which the product is made.

Nowadays, two systems are used to present information about the “purity” of a product: metric and carat. Metric is used in Russia and other CIS countries, carat is more often used in European countries and the USA.

The karat system for measuring gold in alloys should not be confused with the weight of precious stones - they even have different designations: “K” and “ct”. Thus, an 18-carat ring and an 18-carat diamond are completely different concepts, having in common only the fact that both belong to the jewelry industry.

It is very simple to understand the essence of the information reflected in the samples - it directly indicates the% of gold in the alloy.

It's just that the metric system indicates this percentage directly in numerical terms (for example, 585 means 585 milligrams of gold per 1 gram of alloy), while the karat system assumes that the product is divided into 24 parts and tells us how many of these parts are natural gold.

For example, the hallmark “12 carats” will tell us that the product consists exactly half of additional alloys and would correspond to the hallmark “500” if such was used in our country.

Table 1.
Gold samples in carats and metric

Carats (K)	24	23	18	14	14	12	9
Metric system (%)	999	958	750	585	583	500	375
Share of pure gold	100-99,9%	95,8%	75%	58,5%	58,3%	50%	37,5%

It is important to keep in mind that the hallmark (assay mark) in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Baltic countries, and most other European countries is a sign of a state guarantee, indicating that the product has a hallmark not lower than the specified one and has been tested by the state assay inspection inspection for authenticity. However, gold jewelry and products sold in some other countries may have a hallmark that merely carries information from the manufacturer and is not a government guarantee.

Different colors of gold (or types of gold alloys)

The peculiarity of this yellow metal (this is its natural color), which is so often used by jewelers, is that it can take on different colors and shades depending on the ingredients with which it is mixed in the alloy.
And its other feature is that it is very soft and impractical to wear. Therefore, it is difficult to do without additives in the manufacture of jewelry - the so-called “ligature” - in the jewelry business.

Yellow gold

This color will appear most clearly in those products where impurities are found in minimal quantities. The higher the purity of the product, the more pronounced yellow color it will have, as a rule and with rare exceptions.

Accordingly, the price per 1 gram of such jewelry will be higher than that made from colored types of gold. True, as noted above, due to their relative softness they will be less practical to wear and less durable.

For example, high-grade wedding rings tend to wear out and become thinner if women constantly wear them throughout their lives.

And gold coins and bars are always rich yellow, since there are practically no impurities in them, because their main purpose is to carry the price inherent in this metal.

White gold

The most common type of this gold alloy, which can be called classic or standard, is 58.5% gold, 21% copper, 7.84% zinc and 12.73% nickel. Nickel is more likely than other impurities to cause allergies, so it is sometimes replaced with manganese or palladium, or even platinum.

To give products a better shine and increase durability, they are often coated with a thin layer of rhodium metal.

The surface layer becomes more durable, which prevents scratches; but such products are no longer willingly accepted for purchase, since before they are melted down, the rhodium has to be cleaned off, and this is a labor-intensive process.

Platinum in white gold increases the value of the product. Some well-known brands sometimes produce elite series of products in which platinum occupies a larger percentage as a percentage. In the case of lesser-known manufacturers, the high platinum content in the product can only be declared.

Green gold

Green gold has been known since ancient times. This was often called electrum - a type of native gold, which is an alloy with silver. Natural electrum has a greenish tint, and the silver content usually prevails in it.

Jewelry green gold has a more pronounced greenish color than the natural alloy, and the proportions of metals in it according to the most common standard are as follows: 73% gold and 27% silver.

In Russia, you can most often find 750 green gold, but 585 is also found.

Previously, jewelers used other metals as alloys (additives to the alloy), such as cadmium. They did make the green color more pronounced, but they were found to be toxic or allergenic and their use is currently prohibited.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8ppCrJY2tc

The price of green gold per gram is calculated in the usual way - based on the percentage of precious metal Au.

Rose and red gold

Gold takes on a reddish hue when mixed with copper. The more copper in the alloy, the more pronounced the tone of red. The most common standards:

– 75% gold and 25% copper for rose gold (750 or 18K)

— 50% gold and 50% copper for red gold (500 standard or 12K).

Rose and red gold are very popular among both jewelry manufacturers and their buyers. From these alloys it is possible to make jewelry that is complex in design and exquisite in beauty, which will be distinguished by strength and durability. And on top of that, the price per gram of rose gold may not be very high, thanks to the reduced pure gold content.

Rare colors

Sometimes jewelers, creating products of artistic quality, decide to use precious metal of even rarer shades. Thanks to admixtures, you can get very unusual colors, but some are used more often than others:

— Blue gold: 46% gold and 54% indium.

— Purple Gold : 80% gold, 20% aluminum.

— Black gold: 75% gold, 25% cobalt.

Source: https://www.moneyinformer.ru/invest/precious_metal/gold/proby-vidy.html

Expensive jewelry: which standard of gold is better

Modern factory products always indicate what sample they are. Gold in itself is not better or worse, but the composition of the ligature significantly affects the quality and price of chains, rings or rings. Jewelry made from this noble metal has always testified to the taste and wealth of their owners. But not the least important is the characteristics of the alloy itself.

Such different gold

It turns out that this precious metal has many faces. It can be not only sunny yellow, but even black!

Color spectrum

Thanks to various additives, craftsmen obtain precious metal of different shades, while the standard of gold can be the same. This is actively used when creating original jewelry:

1. In alloys that contain palladium, the refractoriness increases and a flesh-colored tint appears.
2. Copper, depending on the amount added, can cause the appearance of different shades - from red to pink.
3. The presence of silver in the alloy makes the gold-containing alloy more durable and provides the appearance of greenish tones.
4. The presence of nickel is indicated by a light yellow color.
5. Due to the presence of zinc, the gold-containing alloy lightens and acquires a delicate light green tint.
6. Cadmium can give light greenish tones.
7. If the alloy contains 5 or 8% platinum, discoloration occurs most effectively, and the yellowness disappears.

The last five components are used in the manufacture of white gold. Products made from it are still popular.

Blue and black aurum alloys are very exotic. They are obtained by combining gold of the highest standard, 999, with indium and rubidium, respectively.

About samples and carats

There is a direct connection between the presence of certain impurities in a precious metal and its price per gram. The more aurum, the more expensive. There are generally accepted notations for this relationship.

In the post-Soviet space, the metric system is used. The sample contains a three-digit number indicating the content of pure gold in one thousand parts by weight of the alloy. In Western Europe, the concept of carat or 1/24 is used. Therefore, a Russian, when he buys a ring for the first time, for example, in Paris, may encounter an unfamiliar scale and will not immediately understand which standard of gold is the most expensive.

But don’t despair: understanding this issue is quite simple. There are different approaches to determining the quality of golden metal, but a connection has been established between the parameters:

• stamp “375” is the lowest standard, corresponding to 9 carats;
• if there is a “500” mark, then it is already 12 carats;
• Soviet 583 and modern 585 are identical to 14 carats;
• designation “750” - fineness equal to 18 carats;
• the imprint “900” means it is 22 carats;
• the mark “958” corresponds to 23 carats;
• The product is stamped “999” - this is the maximum possible 24 carats.

Highest degree of purity

Author's jewelry masterpieces made of gold of the most expensive standard are unique things. In addition, due to a number of metal features, they are not intended for everyday wear:

• evidence of contact with hard objects in the form of scratches may quickly appear, which reduces the aesthetic appeal of the jewelry;
• As a rule, the products weigh a lot, creating additional inconvenience.

Pure aurum is most often used to make ingots that are stored in the state’s gold reserves. Another application option is the production of the thinnest sheets of so-called gold leaf using a special technology.

In medicine, there are treatment methods with drugs that contain a certain amount of this precious metal. And the rich have their own quirks: in some restaurants, very wealthy visitors are offered dishes and even drinks with gold additives.

Most popular options

Modern jewelry is most often made from gold-containing alloys. The inclusion of certain metals in the ligature allows jewelers to create elegant and thin weaves and at the same time achieve greater strength of the products.

Most often, jewelry is made from gold samples of 750 and 585, which best illustrates: the optimal technical characteristics of the alloy are located in this range.

Leader in sales level

This honorable position belongs to products made from 750-karat alloys. Gold jewelry can be made using various technological techniques, such as milling and even pressure . Thanks to the rather high aurum content - 75% - the possibilities for creating unique works, characterized by a high degree of complexity and modern design, increase.

In many countries, for example in Europe and America, jewelry is made from gold-containing alloys of various compositions and colors. But for all these products there is a single requirement: aurum of at least 18 carats. So, in Italy, 750 standard is considered worthy of attention, and no lower. And in Switzerland, the law prohibits the sale of products whose purity is less than 18 carats.

The best combination of practicality and beauty

Russians prefer yellow, red and white gold, while other shades remain outside the “zone of sympathy”. Those who like to wear jewelry every day have long ago determined for themselves which gold standard is better - 585 or 750.

Foreign products with a higher - 75% - aurum content are undoubtedly beautiful, but they quickly become covered with scratches, microscopic and not so much. But in the domestic alloy there is more copper of the same standard, and it is this that makes the jewelry stronger.

However, items of 585 standard have gained the greatest popularity in the Russian Federation as jewelry for everyday wear. They showed good wear resistance and, combined with fairly affordable prices, turned out to be practically uncompetitive.

Criteria influencing the choice

Of course, figuring out which sample is better - 585 or 750 - is a thankless task. Each buyer determines for himself what to give preference to. In this case, the choice will be influenced not only by the person’s material security, but also by the purpose of the purchased item:

• products for daily wear - rings, earrings, watches;
• elite jewelry for special occasions, including necklaces and tiaras;
• collectible exhibits;
• investments (bank bars and coins).

The high demand for gold has always given rise to a desire among some enterprising people to make money by making a skillful but cheap counterfeit. Today, the risk of purchasing beautiful jewelry instead of a precious metal product is quite high. Therefore, it is so important to pay attention to the presence of a sample, as well as a personal mark, and not to purchase jewelry from dubious retail outlets.

For elite and collectible items made of precious metals, the appearance of scratches or even chips that disfigure the perfectly shining surface is an undesirable phenomenon. Acquired defects can significantly reduce their value. This also applies to white gold, so it is protected by applying a thin layer of more durable rhodium.

Jewelers recommend storing luxury items in metal or wooden boxes . A careful attitude will protect them from unwanted damage. And the boxes themselves can have an artistic design worthy of their contents. Such a thing can be a wonderful decoration for a dressing table in a fashionista’s bedroom.

As for bullion and investment coins, the requirements for their storage do not even allow handling them without special gloves. In addition, they must be kept in their own packaging at all times.

Gold has remained coveted since ancient Egypt. In all centuries, the presence of the maximum possible amount of aurum in the treasury guaranteed the independence of the country, its wealth and power. But this plastic, pliable metal was not only a raw material for minting coins or smelting bank bullion.

What talented craftsmen of the past did not create: golden crowns of rulers and tiaras, brooches, rings and pendants. Modern jewelers create their masterpieces from precious metal in the same way - reverently and with inspiration. And visitors to exhibitions can say with confidence that there are no limits to human imagination and the creativity of masters.

Source: https://VseoMetallah.ru/uvelir-isdelia/kakaya-proba-zolota-luchshe

Gold samples

Gold metal and its derivatives are popular among people all over the world. Those who want to protect their savings from depreciation invest in the eternal currency of all times and peoples. Gold has many uses depending on the alloy.

In its pure form it is not entirely attractive. It is a soft metal with a dull color, unsuitable for processing or making jewelry. To improve its chemical and aesthetic properties, other metals began to be added to the gold alloy. The result was positive: varieties of gold metal, shades appeared, and the price changed.

In order to understand what kind of gold was in the hands, samples began to be put on the products. If you look closely at any gold product, it always has a small stamp with a number. This is a test. From Latin “sample” means evaluation, test. In other words, the sample shows the ratio of gold in the product in relation to other metals. A sample is placed on the product to confirm the presence of the specified amount of gold in it.

What is a sample?

This is the determination by various methods of the proportion of gold and other metals contained in the alloy. It is a stamp containing the value of the precious metal content. According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, all industrial alloys must be tested accordingly.

Pure gold itself is a fairly expensive and soft metal. All jewelry is made in certain alloys, which increases their strength and presentable appearance. The more gold in the alloy, the softer the product is, the more easily it is subject to deformation, scratches, dents, loses its shine and becomes unsightly.

Depending on the alloy, a gold product may have a different shade. If copper is present, the tint will be reddish or pink. If nickel, platinum, palladium, then the products will have a noble pallor and white color. When silver is present in the alloy, a yellow tint is obtained.

If there is a mark, the likelihood of a product being fake is minimal. The buyer only needs to imagine what this mark looks like so that he can check the product before purchasing. The sample must bear the stamp of the assay office, a special sign of the assay certificate, and a digital designation of the sample. In total, there are 18 assay inspection offices in Russia and each has its own letter. The test must be on all products in which the proportion of noble metal exceeds 30%.

Basic samples of noble metals

In Russia, the following metal samples are established by law:

• Gold: for jewelry - 375,500,583, 750, 916, 958, for bars, coins - 999 standard.
• Silver: 800, 830, 875, 925, 960, 999.
• Platinum: 585, 850, 900, 950.
• Palladium: 500, 850.

375 standard contains 38% noble metal. The alloy is yellow in color and contains copper and silver. Over time, the product becomes dull due to the formation of iron sulfide on the surface.

500 standard contains 50% precious metal with the addition of copper and silver.

585 standard is the most popular in Russia. It contains 58.5% gold, and the rest is silver, copper, palladium. This composition makes it durable and easy to manufacture.

750 standard is expensive due to the presence of noble metals, including platinum, palladium, copper, nickel, and silver.

958 and higher are not used in the jewelry industry due to their unattractive appearance. This metal is used to make bullion and coins for investment.

999 standard is the metal itself without impurities or additives. It has a high cost, but is not used in production.

Testing systems

There are several systems for sample determination:

• Metric. Here the volume of noble metal in 1 gram of alloy is taken as a basis. The value can also be estimated as the number of parts of metal per 1000 parts of alloy. For example, in an alloy of 750 standard there are 750 parts of noble metal and 250 parts of the rest. In Russia, the metric system has been used since 1927. It is also used in France, Germany, Great Britain, Cyprus, Lithuania, Norway, etc. For some time, Soviet jewelers made products from 583 standard, but after the collapse of the USSR it was replaced by 585 in order to equalize the quality of Soviet and Western products.
• Carat system. Applicable in Canada and USA. In Ireland, metric and carat stamps are still placed on products. Pure metal has a value of 24 carats. 1 carat contains 1/24 of the main mass of gold. A 14 carat alloy has 14 parts precious and 10 parts other metal. In their work, Western jewelers use 24,14,18,10,9 carat alloys. To indicate the carat standard, the abbreviations K, ct, k are used. To convert carat to metric, you need to divide the carat value by 24 and multiply by 1000.
• The spool test was used in Russia until 1927. It differed from carat in that the highest standard had 96 units of metal. To convert this sample to carat, you need to divide its value by 4. To convert it to metric, you need to divide by 96 and multiply by 1000.

How to look at the sample on jewelry?

A hallmark stamp is found on jewelry depending on the type. For example, a ring has a sample on the inside of the shank so as not to spoil the aesthetic appearance of the product. On earrings, the sample can be placed on the bow or mount. On chains and bracelets they are usually placed at the clutch points.

At home, you can also check the authenticity of the product by performing simple operations:

• Swipe with a magnet. If the product is magnetized, then it is made of low-quality metal with a high content of simple metals. Real gold is not magnetic.
• Drop iodine or vinegar onto the product. If it darkens in this place, then it is a fake.
• If you rub the product on an unfired ceramic tile and dark marks remain on it, then it is a fake.

Thus, you can check a fake at home. For a more accurate determination, you can contact the assay office, where specialists will conduct an assay analysis. When purchasing a product, you need to carefully consider the sample. The stamp must be even and placed equidistant from the edges.

What standard is used on gold bars and coins?

The bars and coins used for investment are made from 999.99 fine gold. Their cost is equal to the cost of the metal, so the use of other metals in the alloy is unacceptable. Due to the fact that pure gold is used, bars and coins are stored in special packaging to prevent damage.

Non-999 fine gold is used in commemorative and collectible coins, since their value does not depend on weight, but on significance, rarity and demand among collectors.

Gold of lower grades is used in the jewelry industry because it has a stronger and harder composition and is less susceptible to damage.

Prices per gram of different gold samples

The price at which gold is accepted in pawn shops is always lower than the current Central Bank rate. Pawnshops also do not have a uniform rate. Everyone forms their own course independently. If you focus on the Central Bank exchange rate, which as of April 30, 2018 is about 2.6 tr. per gram, pawnshops underestimate it by 30-50%.

Source: https://investor100.ru/proby-zolota/

Smart shopping: how not to make a mistake when choosing gold jewelry

This article was prepared for the project “Where Love Lives.” Find even more useful tips for March 8 here!

What grade of gold is best to choose for every day?

Earrings with garnets and cubic zirconias Sokolov, ring with ruby ​​and diamonds Adamas

Minimum numbers on the sample indicate the low value of the alloy, high ones indicate its fragility.

Gold of the 999th standard - the highest purity (sample) - is a fairly soft material that can soon become unusable or simply wrinkle, tear, and so on.

585-carat gold is the most popular. On the market, 70% of products are made from this alloy. This test means that 1 kilogram of the alloy consists of 585 grams of gold and 415 grams of the so-called alloy - copper and silver, which increase the malleability and hardness of the resulting metal. Copper gives 585-carat gold its pink tint.

750-carat gold surpasses 585-carat gold only in the segment of engagement rings. This composition has a sunny yellow color: it contains 750 grams of gold per kilogram.

375-carat gold - due to the crisis, many stores began offering products with this marking. There is only 37.5% gold in these jewelry, and the lion's share in the alloy is copper, which oxidizes strongly and turns green. Over time, the color of such gold becomes not yellow, but rather gray, and not every cleaning will return the original shine to the product.

What colors does gold come in and why?

Tiffany&Co white gold earrings, Sunlight rose gold ring

The color of gold jewelry depends on the additives used in it. In Russia, it is customary to add copper to alloys, because Russian gold is clearly visible by its red tint; in Europe and America - silver, because foreign gold has a predominantly yellow tint.

The most valuable, reliable and expensive are products made of white gold, the alloy of which is another alloy - platinum, palladium or nickel. But sometimes nickel can cause allergies in the person wearing the jewelry.

Buying black gold, the price of which is higher than that of jewelry made from a standard alloy, is not easy. It is quite reliable, does not oxidize and is practically hypoallergenic. Few jewelry stores can boast of having such products in their assortment.

What is the highest quality gold in the world?

Adamas red gold earrings, pendant with cubic zirconia Sokolov

American gold differs from our gold products in that the hallmark indicates the fineness in carats, for example, 18 carats corresponds to the 585th hallmark, 24 carats to the 999th hallmark. But do not rush to buy these products, they can be made of a different metal and are only plated with 999 gold dust.

Turkish gold jewelry is distinguished by the fact that the standard on them consists of only three numbers: 5 8 5 - and nothing else. If it costs two samples, it is most likely not gold. The Turkish alloy contains an extremely high amount of copper and almost no silver, which is why gold has a scarlet appearance and redness. Such gold will very soon lose its shine, and when melted down it can simply burn. Most Turkish products become deformed very quickly and lose their presentation.

Soviet-made gold is very easy to identify - the purity is only 583, and the name of the manufacturer is always included. Outdated design, a lot of the same type and old-fashioned products.

Emirati gold has a 916 or 958 standard, since jewelry is worn only once - for a wedding, and then shelved. For jewelers, focusing on the wear resistance of such products does not make much sense.

What little tricks should you know when choosing jewelry?

Sunlight gold brooch, Tous white gold ring

• A prerequisite is the presence of a sample. A genuine product must have an imprint in the form of a woman in a kokoshnik, next to which there is a set of numbers indicating the content of precious metal (gold or silver) in the alloy. The imprint on Ukrainian gold items is a trident. Imported products must also have a Russian stamp, which means that the imported gold has been tested and meets quality standards.
• When the “golden woman” on the print “looks” to the left, alas, the product can be considered fake. If to the right, then the gold is already 50/50 real.
• Gold with a purity lower than 333 is already considered costume jewelry.
• If you choose a matte decoration, appreciate the uniformity of the matte finish and its velvety appearance.
• Basic information that should be on the tag: manufacturer, name of the product (bracelet, earrings, necklace, etc.) and its article number, purity, weight of the product, cost.
• Drop, for example, a gold ring on the counter or floor, the quality of which you are not sure of. When falling, you should hear a monotonous sound, which indicates the presence of pure gold in the product you are purchasing. When struck lightly on a hard surface, gold should produce a ringing sound rather than a dull sound.
• We determine the quality of the gold weave of the chain - take it and wind it around your finger, and then unwind it again. The unwinding process should proceed without unnecessary effort, and the links should not end up getting tangled or twisted together.

Read more about jewelry:

Source: http://www.yapokupayu.ru/blogs/post/chto-vy-dolzhny-znat-o-yuvelirnyh-ukrasheniyah-kak-ne-oshibitsya-s-vyborom

How to distinguish gold from fake

Gold is a precious metal that will never lose its relevance. It is from it that the largest number of jewelry is made, and gold products are the most popular among buyers.

However, today you can find a large number of fakes, and products made from this precious metal are no exception. Increasingly, there are cases when the percentage of valuable aurum in the declared sample is much smaller or is absent altogether.

Here are simple and accessible tips from jewelers that will help you distinguish gold from fake gold, gilding and costume jewelry at home.

Checking gold for authenticity

Here are some of the most common ways to check the authenticity of precious metals, which can be done independently, without the help of experts:

• Visual inspection Carefully examine the jewelry using a magnifying glass. Gold items have special markings confirming the authenticity of the jewelry. The sample of aurum or its mass in carats must be indicated. However, these days, scammers have learned to put a stamp on fakes, so this method cannot 100% guarantee the authenticity of the product.
• Sound test A very simple authentication test. You need to take the jewelry and throw it on a hard and smooth surface. For example, on the table. Real aurum sounds clear and resonant, reminiscent of crystal in sound. However, this method is not suitable for all jewelry - chains and bracelets cannot be checked this way.
• Testing with vinegar Pour a small amount of vinegar into a glass and lower the product there for 3-5 minutes. Fake jewelry will quickly take on a dull greenish tint. Real high-quality metal will not react to vinegar in any way.
• Magnetic test Take a real strong magnet that makes good contact with metal. Pass the magnet over the jewelry and see if it is attracted. If you are still attracted to the product, you can be completely sure that you have a fake in your hands. Genuine gold will never come into contact with a magnet.
• Application of nitric acid A counterfeit from a true precious metal can be determined using nitric acid. To do this, place the decoration in a clean metal container. Then, using a pipette, you need to carefully drop nitric acid. Real gold will not change its color, gilding takes on a milky tint, and ordinary metal becomes greenish. It should be noted that the test must be carried out on an inconspicuous area of ​​the product: on the inside, on fasteners, etc.
• Testing with iodine As in the previous version, apply one drop of iodine to the inside of the jewelry. The fake one will quickly change its color to black or green, while the real aurum will remain unchanged.
• Lapis pencil test Lapis pencil is a medical product containing silver nitrate. Pre-moisten the product in water and draw a small strip. The result appears instantly - the fake “gold” immediately begins to oxidize and darken.

Jewelers will always help you evaluate the quality of gold jewelry; they identify counterfeits not only visually, but also with the help of special devices. Such verification is usually paid. But you will be absolutely sure that you are holding a piece of jewelry in your hands and not a fake.

Determining gold plating

Gold plating is a thin layer of pure gold that is applied to the surface of a product. The technique of gilding jewelry is quite simple: aurum is sprayed or rolled onto a substrate. The base metal can be medical steel, brass, copper or silver.

The thickness of the gold layer is not regulated, but the thicker the layer of precious metal, the longer your favorite chains, earrings or rings will serve their owner. As a rule, gilding does not have any specific marking.

For example, if the coating is applied to a silver substrate, then the mark on it will be corresponding to the silver.

It is quite difficult to distinguish gold from gilding without special examination, but there are several ways to help identify a fake. The first step is to carefully inspect the product. There should be no abrasions, stains or scratches on its surface. If such defects were found during inspection, then such jewelry is definitely not worth buying. Real gold jewelry has a bright shine and a perfectly smooth, uniform surface.

You can lightly scrape the jewelry in an inconspicuous area. The gold plating will come off a little while the gold will remain the same. The gilding also gradually comes off when the jewelry is worn, especially on the edges of the jewelry. Therefore, if the top coating has worn off or changed color, you can be sure that this is a gold-plated product.

There is also a fairly simple way to check at home. It is necessary to heat the product strongly, for example, over a stove burner, and then quickly lower it into cold water. High-grade gold will not change its color, but streaks may appear on gold-plated metal.

Gilding is also tested with silver nitrate, which is sold in any pharmacy. Treat the wetted surface of the product with a small amount of nitrate. The gilding will become dark and cloudy, while the gold will not react with it.

How to avoid fraud?

Do not buy jewelry in dubious stores, markets and stalls. Often such sellers sell fakes. Purchases should be made only in trusted jewelry stores, where all the relevant documents are available.

Don't look at the price tag of the product. A high price is not a guarantee of quality. Pay more attention to studying the gold standard, its external characteristics and the manufacturer of the jewelry.

You can ask the seller at the salon to check the jewelry for authenticity. Many large stores have special solutions and tools that allow you to determine the quality of the precious metal.

If you have already purchased a piece of jewelry and have any doubts about its authenticity, it is better to immediately contact a pawnshop or a qualified jeweler. Experts will quickly and for little money determine the metal from which the jewelry is made.

Source: https://www.petrogold.ru/blog/kak-otlichit-zoloto-ot-poddelki

Gold samples: review of known samples, regulation by law

Where are gold samples used? What do they mean? For what purpose are other metals added to gold? If this element fell into our hands in its pure form, we would be very surprised. After all, pure gold can be easily deformed by hand. It becomes obvious that it is impossible to make jewelry from this metal in its pure form.

Gold is a precious, soft metal that, when subjected to mechanical stress, easily changes its shape. To preserve the original elegant appearance, other metals are added to jewelry, which give gold the appropriate properties.

Alloys are auxiliary alloys consisting of different components that are introduced into refractory metals, changing their properties. They give gold strength and hardness. The most commonly used alloys for gold are silver and copper.

What kind of gold is there? Many people know that in the jewelry industry there are precious items made of white, red, green, yellow, black, and rose gold. So, the color of the decoration directly depends on the introduced ligature.

The more copper in the alloy, the more the reddish tint appears. Palladium is used in white gold and gives it a steely shine. The yellow tint is obtained by adding nickel to gold. The presence of alloys determines the gold grade.

What types of gold are there?

Finding out how much precious metal a jewelry product contains is very simple: just look at the sample. The sample on the product indicates how many grams of pure gold are contained in thousands of grams of this alloy. This is one of the most popular systems all over the world, which is used in Russia.

Another, very popular in Western countries, is the carat system. There are other systems, such as lot and spool, but they have not gained sufficient popularity.

1. Metric system. Gained the greatest popularity all over the world. Currently, this system is developed in the Russian Federation. Most countries also use this system.

Gold hallmark indicates how many milligrams of pure gold are contained in 1 gram of a product made from a given alloy. For example, a 585-carat gold product consists of 585 milligrams of pure gold and no more than 415 grams of ligature.

You may be interested in: Why do you dream about an engagement ring? Interpretation of sleep

So, specifically, what types of gold are there? There are the following types of gold samples: 999, 980, 969, 958, 950, 916, 900, 750, 625, 585, 583, 500, 417, 375 and 333. In Russia, only six are accepted: 999, 958, 750, 585, 500 and 375. What is the highest purity of gold? Products with a higher purity acquire the greatest value.

Gold of 999.9 and 999.99 purity is used exclusively in the banking sector, due to its high sensitivity to mechanical stress and fragility. They are called “pure gold” and have the highest value in the country.

All gold samples have their own properties:

• 375 – contains about 38% gold. The remaining share is allocated to copper and silver. Depending on their percentage, these products can have different colors: yellow and red gold. An inorganic compound of iron and sulfur is formed on the surface of the alloy. It protects the alloy from tarnishing in the environment.
• 500 – contains about 50.5% gold. Ligature: copper and silver.
• 585 - the most common. Contains about 59% gold. Ligature: copper, silver, nickel, palladium. The alloy has high mechanical properties. The whole world prefers this sample due to its reasonable price and pleasant properties.
• 750 — contains about 75.5% gold. Ligature: silver, copper, platinum, palladium, nickel. Easy to process. By varying the percentage of metals you can get different colors of jewelry.
• 958 – contains about 96.3% gold. The colors are shallow and easily deformed from mechanical stress. It is practically not used in the jewelry industry.
• 999 – contains about 99.9% gold. Very soft. Not used in the jewelry industry. Has the highest cost.

2. Carat system. This system has become widespread in European countries. In the United States of America and Western countries, this system is currently used as the main one. How does it work?

The entire mass of the decoration is divided into 24 equal parts. Of these, a certain number of shares are occupied by gold. The following products are available in the karat system: 9,10,14, 18 and 24 carats.

24 karat gold is considered pure and is equal to 999 fine in the metric system. Sometimes 21,22,23 carat gold can be used.

For example, let's take a 14 carat (14K) product. This will mean that 7/12 of the product will be gold, and 5/12 will be ligature. You can easily transfer samples from one system to another:

X=K*125/3,

where X is the sample in the metric system,

K – number of carats.

3. Spool system. Used from the 18th to the 20th centuries and was common in the Soviet Union. It was abolished in the 20th century and is currently not in use.

In ancient times, there was such a unit of measurement as the pound. It was equal to 450g. One pound included 96 units of spools (1 spool = 4.266g). This was the foundation for this system. The principle remained the same: this system showed how many spools are contained in 450g. alloy From this system, you can also easily convert to the metric system:

X=H*125/12

where X is the sample in the metric system,

N – number of spools.

4. Lot system. This system has been used in Western countries for a very long time. It exists, but is not currently applied.

In the Middle Ages, precious metals were measured in marks. At that time, this unit of mass was most widespread.

It included 16 lots. The fineness was determined by how many lots of pure gold one mark contained. This system has become widespread in Germany and Scandinavia.

Samples in 6L, 8L, 12L, 14L and 16L were widely used. To transition from the lot system to the traditional, metric, we use the following formula:

X=L*125/2,

where X is the sample in the metric system,

L – number of lots.

Based on the above, we can conclude that the systems did not stand still, but developed. Using current systems, determining the amount of precious metal has become more accurate and easy. To simplify the definition and transfer of one system to another, a simple table can be used:

Table. Samples in various systems.

Metric	333	375	585	750	900	980	999
Carat	8	9	14	18	21,6	23,4	24
Zolotnikovaya	32	36	56	72	86,4	94	96

Regulation by law

To constantly monitor the production of samples of precious alloys, there are regulatory apparatuses that are authorized to keep jewelry companies and firms under control. Their main task is to check the quality of products for compliance with requirements.

Goods sent abroad to the markets of European countries are subject to scrupulous inspection. Such products must be marked with a special stamp on gold, which will clearly show the value of the product.

State authorities maintain strict control over the compliance of the fineness and the proportion of gold content in a precious product. If there is a discrepancy or the slightest fluctuation, a huge amount of goods can be sent back.

In the Russian Federation, the Assay Office is responsible for supervision. It is part of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. Domestic products have their own distinctive features. The stamp depicts a woman in a kokoshnik.

In addition to this distinctive feature, a name tag can be applied to the product.

This special mark, which is applied by the manufacturer, is a confirmation of his name. It can also indicate the year of manufacture of the product, the letter with which the inspection body code begins.

Before purchasing a product, you need to look at the sample of the product and the presence of a mark. Otherwise, be deceived by scammers and purchase a fake. There may be no gold in it at all. It is better to buy jewelry in stores with a trusted, well-known name.

Source: http://VseoZolote.ru/interesno/proby-zolota.html

What types of gold are there in Russia?

Today, the global gold market has a huge number of offers, among which jewelry and funds for investing in precious metals are in greatest demand. The same situation is typical for the gold market in Russia. When purchasing gold items in our country, citizens are usually interested not only in the visual appeal of the jewelry, but also in the fineness of the gold alloy from which the jewelry is made.

All popular gold samples, as is already known, can have different shades, from rich red to bright white and even black tones. In the Russian jewelry industry today, 999, 958, 750, 500, 585, 375 samples are considered standard.

To determine the most profitable and optimal gold sample for purchase, it is necessary to consider the main advantages and disadvantages of each of these alloys used for jewelry and other products.

At the same time, the choice of gold of one shade or another is solely a matter of taste and preference of the buyer, because the percentage of gold in the alloy depends solely on its purity.

In order to protect your cash savings from depreciation, one of the best methods is to buy gold or invest in precious metals. The vast majority of Russians have known this since Soviet times. The main advantage of such investments is the unlimited storage time of gold jewelry and red metal bars.

When gold is stored, its color and quality do not change at all, which is especially important, and the price, as statistics show, gradually increases over time. Even in the case of slight tarnishing, gold items can be easily restored to shine. At the same time, the biggest disadvantage of gold jewelry can be considered the loss of relevance of the shape and design of the products themselves, because fashion changes over time.

Therefore, it is the amount of gold in the alloy that is most valued, because the cost of gold jewelry or an ingot will generally depend on this indicator.

Popular gold samples in Russia

The red metal of each of the above samples has its own characteristics and physical characteristics. Today in Russia, as you know, jewelry made of 585 and 750 gold are considered the most popular. To understand what this is connected with, let's take a closer look at each alloy and indicate its main properties.

Sample 375

This gold-based alloy contains about 38% yellow precious metal. Silver and copper predominate as alloy alloys. An important advantage of 375 gold is its very high strength, and a negative property is the rapid loss of shine.

The reason for this phenomenon is the presence of a large amount of copper in the alloy, which is prone to the formation of a protective dull oxide layer. In this regard, of course, the best option is 999 gold, but we will talk about it below.

According to the karat system, 375 gold corresponds to 9 carats, so the price of jewelry made from this alloy is the lowest in Russia and throughout the world.

Sample 500

This precious alloy consists of 50% pure gold, that is, it contains exactly 12 carats of red metal. Jewelers do not like this alloy because products made from it are difficult to cast, which means the labor intensity of the work is quite high. Similar.

Like all other samples, the color of this alloy can vary depending on the copper and silver content in it. In addition, 14k gold is prone to tarnish relatively quickly, although more slowly than 375k gold.

The cost of 500-karat gold products is quite low, but it is not widely popular among the population and jewelry factories due to the reasons mentioned above.

Sample 585

We have already discussed this alloy, the most common in Russia, in our publications. It contains 58.5% red metal and an alloy in the form of additives of nickel, silver, palladium and copper. With very good strength, this precious alloy is easily cast and processed in a jewelry factory. At the same time, 585 grade products practically do not fade and retain their shine and attractiveness for many years.

Hallmark 585 contains 14 carats of pure yellow metal. And the moderate, relatively low price of gold of this standard has ensured that jewelry made from it has the widest popularity in Russia and many countries of the world. Absolutely logical, many buyers consider the 585 standard to be the most acceptable, both in terms of investment and in terms of appearance.

It is quite difficult to determine which shade of 585 gold is in greatest demand in our country, and such a determination will be relative. It will only be enough to note that buyers usually prefer yellow and red shades of jewelry, although there are also a significant number of lovers of 585 white gold.

In essence, the precious alloy 585 today can be considered a kind of standard for the domestic jewelry industry, although quite recently, instead of 585, 583, which was the standard of USSR times, was in maximum demand.

Sample 750

As the name suggests, the gold alloy of this standard contains 75% pure red metal. The remaining 25% is the addition of silver, copper, nickel and platinum. According to the karat system, the 750 sample contains 18 carats of gold.

Jewelry made from 750 gold is not strong enough, although jewelers consider this alloy to be one of the best due to its ease of processing and excellent malleability.

Jewelry made from such gold is characterized not only by a high price, but also by prestige, since not every person in Russia can afford to buy such expensive jewelry.

Sample 958

This is a very high quality precious alloy containing 95.8 parts gold. Gold purity 958 corresponds to 23 carats in carat calculation. As for the color of this alloy, it practically does not differ from the shade of gold of the highest 999 standard.

However, all products made from 958 alloy are characterized by excessive ductility and softness; they are easily scratched, deformed and lose their attractiveness. The demand for such products in Russia is quite low, but the jewelry industry sometimes produces small batches of jewelry made from such gold.

In addition, the price of jewelry made of 958 gold is very high, because in fact one can consider that such products are made of pure precious metal.

Sample 999

We have already mentioned it above. It is essentially pure 24 karat gold, which is usually only found in bullion form. Jewelry factories very rarely use 999 fine precious alloy to produce their products.

At the same time, various inserts and small elements of jewelry made from 585 and other samples, which have higher hardness and wear resistance, are most often found in 99-karat gold. In terms of cost, alloy 999 is the most expensive.

Due to the absence of ligature additives, gold of this standard only comes in a natural “golden” color.

What samples are preferred in other countries of the world?

Let us immediately note that each country has its own ratio of alloys and gold in alloys, therefore the systems of different countries differ from each other. For example, in Europe a carat system has been adopted, according to which a carat is equal to the twenty-fourth part of the red metal in the alloy. During the Soviet era, the metric system was used to measure the amount of gold in alloys. According to this system, the share of gold was determined by the number of grams in one kilogram of the precious metal.

Both in Russia and in other countries of the former USSR, the most common is 585 standard, although jewelry made of 750 gold is also quite common. For comparison, in Italy the most valued items are those made from a gold standard of at least 750. At the same time, Italians treat their jewelry very carefully, wearing it only on special occasions. In Italy, it is customary to use jewelry for daily wear.

Switzerland is interesting in this regard. In this country, the sale of gold products below 750 standard is prohibited by law. We also note that the 750 European standard of gold differs in its ligature from the Russian 750 standard gold in a large amount of silver. In Russia, it is customary to add more copper. Therefore, gold of the same standard from European countries is characterized by a more expressive yellow tint.

When buying gold, you must remember that all products of this kind must have the appropriate mark, regardless of the country in which the jewelry was made. In addition, in a number of countries it is customary to write information about the manufacturer of the product on the tag. Which sample and shade to choose is a personal matter for each person, but it is always necessary to take into account the performance characteristics of jewelry if they are used quite often.

Source: https://ZolotoBlog.ru/123.html