People love gold — and have for a long time. While the gold adornments favored by Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun (aka King Tut) around 1323 BC differ from those worn by today's fashion influencers, gold remains as precious now as it was then. No wonder ancient cultures around the world fashioned gold into jewelry and architecture to signify status and wealth. Today, gold is a popular choice for engagement rings, necklaces, chains, earrings, and other fine jewelry.
A Brief History of Gold
People have worn gold for centuries. This precious metal has been mentioned throughout history, associated with civilizations like the Incas, Ancient Egyptians, and the Mesopotamian Sumerians, whose earrings date back to 2600-2500 BC, Ancient Greeks, and even more recently with Bulgarian gold treasures dating back to 4,600 BC.
Throughout human history, gold has been intertwined with jewelry, statues, amulets, currency, and other artifacts from civilizations worldwide.
In recent years, gold’s long history has continued around the globe. In the mid-19th century, James W. Marshall's discovery of gold in California sparked the Gold Rush. Gold has continued to dominate jewelry trends, becoming the metal of choice for many pieces.
The rarity and enduring value of gold make it a popular investment choice. Gold's value is so respected that countries like Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Japan, the UK, and even the US have used an economic system known as the gold standard as their monetary system. Though the gold standard is no longer in use, it was a system where a country's currency was directly linked to a specific quantity of gold.
Today, gold retains both economic and aesthetic value as it did centuries ago. From an investment perspective, gold remains valuable as its price fluctuates based on weight. Many investors opt to buy pure gold as a financial investment. From a jewelry standpoint, 14K and 18K gold continue to be valued for their durability, fashion, and high-quality jewelry.
Gold Jewelry Purity
As the most malleable of all precious metals, gold is an excellent choice for creating designs with very intricate details. It also has anti-rust, anti-tarnish, and anti-corrosive properties. Pure gold is too soft for daily wear, so it's mixed with silver, copper, and a bit of zinc to give it strength and durability, making the final product hard enough to last for generations.
Carat, denoted by a number followed by "k," indicates purity or how much of the metal in a piece of jewelry is gold. Gold carats are measured out of 24, so 24k gold is the highest carat of gold. It has a rich, luxurious yellow hue but, unlike 14k or 18k gold, is too malleable for everyday wear. If you're unsure of your jewelry's carat, you can find it by looking for a number stamped along with a lowercase "k."
We sell 14k and 18k gold, white gold, and rose gold. These are considered true solid gold jewelry since they have no base metal or plating layers. Both 14k and 18k solid gold are suitable for daily wear.
Gold Markings
Gold is often stamped with what are called hallmarks. These marks indicate gold content and sometimes the date of completion and country of origin. By federal law, gold jewelry must bear a manufacturer's mark or registered trademark.
True gold jewelry will have a number and the letter "k" to denote its purity. It might also be stamped with a maker's mark or even a year. Symbols like "GF" and "KP" mean your piece isn't solid gold but gold-plated or gold-filled.
Mallria Gold
We offer jewelry made in 18k and 14k gold. Our 18k gold is an alloy of 75% gold with other metals, making it sturdy enough for everyday wear, while our 14k gold is an alloy of 58.3% gold. In the US, the lowest carat that can be sold as gold jewelry is 10k — an alloy of 41.7% pure gold. If you're one of our European customers, you might be used to different gold carats. 585 corresponds to our 14k gold, and 750 to our 18k gold.
Colors of Gold
While pure gold is indeed yellow, gold jewelry or items are almost always affected by added alloys. The metals alloyed with gold change its color based on:
- The type of metal alloy used
- The percentage of each alloy metal
- Metals used to alloy gold include: zinc, copper, nickel, iron, cadmium, aluminum, silver, platinum, and palladium
Our premium gold jewelry comes in three colors: yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. These different types of gold are valued for their unique beauty and lasting durability.
What is Yellow Gold?
Silver, copper, pure gold, and zinc (an oxide of zinc) give gold jewelry a rich luster. Although the percentage of each metal used in the alloys varies, all formulas start from 75% pure gold for 18k and 58.3% for 14k. This results in a classic warm glow, particularly suitable for diamonds with lower color grades featuring yellowish tints.
If you're interested in 14k gold, please note the differences in durability and hardness. 18k is softer, hence more prone to scratches, while 14k is harder, making it more scratch-resistant.
Gold has been a popular jewelry choice for centuries and continues to hold allure to this day.
What is White Gold?
White gold is gold alloyed to give it a silvery white appearance. To achieve this signature color, pure gold is mixed with nickel, palladium, silver, and other whitening alloys. Then, white gold jewelry goes through another step, rhodium plating. Rhodium plating involves coating the base gold metal with another metal, in this case, rhodium.
While rhodium plating lasts relatively long, it might occasionally need replating. It's not unusual to see a faint champagne tint on white gold after a few years, suggesting your jewelry might need replating to restore its original color.
White gold is considered an affordable alternative to platinum. It's very popular nowadays and was a common choice for rings in the 1920s. Many vintage-style engagement rings and modern designs are made in white gold. White gold is real gold, just processed differently from yellow or rose gold.
What is Rose Gold?
Rose gold is a popular precious metal used in many high-quality jewelry designs. It's used for rings, necklaces, earrings, etc. Rose gold, sometimes called pink gold, is real gold alloyed with copper to form its distinctive hue. The more copper in the alloy, the more rose the color.
The gold content in rose gold jewelry is the same as in yellow or white gold. The difference lies in the proportions of other metals making up the remaining percentage of the alloy mixture. While white and yellow gold are alloyed with metals like nickel or zinc, the key additional metal in rose gold is copper.
The pinkish hue of rose gold makes it an excellent choice for engagement rings, with its modern vintage charm being a major trend in recent years. Preference for one carat or another depends on whether one wants a lighter or deeper rose color for settings or rings. 18k and 14k rose gold are the most popular choices.
Rose gold is considered easier to maintain than white gold because it doesn't require replating. The romantic tone of rose gold comes solely from its alloy mix, so there's no plating to wear off. Instead, with regular care, the pink hue of rose gold can last for years.
The 1920s saw a boom in rose gold, and in recent years, this metal has come back into vogue. For a truly romantic look, pair rose gold with heart-shaped diamond rings.
Which Gold Does Mallria Use for Ring Heads?
For yellow and rose gold settings, we use platinum ring heads to secure the center diamond. All our 14k white gold designs use 14k white gold ring heads, which have the strength and durability needed to protect the center stone. 14k white gold is a very popular choice among our customers because it looks similar to the more expensive platinum settings but at a lower cost.
Explore All Gold Jewelry
How is the Price of Gold Determined?
The price of gold changes daily, with the price per ounce fluctuating. Gold is traded on open exchanges, so its price is subject to many external influences. That's why the price of gold jewelry largely depends on three main factors:
- The purity (carat) of the gold used in combination with the item's physical weight
- The current market value of gold
- The detail in the design and craftsmanship of the piece
Gold Carat Chart
24 Carat = 100% Gold
22 Carat = 91.7% Gold Both 24k and 22k are considered too soft for fine jewelry, though revered and worn in some cultures.
18 Carat = 75.0% Gold Considered the luxurious choice for fine jewelry.
14 Carat = 58.3% Gold Perfect for making fine jewelry, balancing wearability and value.
10 Carat = 41.7% Gold
Which Carat is Better: 14k or 18k Gold?
The right gold carat for you might be a matter of personal taste or budget. Both 14k and 18k jewelry will surely impress. Here are considerations when choosing:
14k Gold
- Offers a good balance between durability and price due to higher alloy content
- Our most popular choice
- Gold might appear slightly yellower than 18k gold
18k Gold
- The luxurious choice, precious and alluring
- Softer due to higher pure gold content, less durable than 14k
- Gold could appear more yellow than 14k gold
Similarities Between 14k and 18k Gold
- Both are suitable for frequent wear
- Visual differences in purity between white and rose gold are not significant
Does Gold Lose Its Shine?
Yes, gold jewelry can lose its shine over time. With proper care, gold pieces of 14k and above generally retain their luster and rich color. Lower carat gold (like 10k or lower) might naturally lose its shine over time. Professional jewelry cleaning can restore the original luster to dull gold. Exposure to corrosive chemicals, chlorine, lotions, soaps, or household cleaners can cause unnecessary dullness. It's best to remove gold jewelry when cooking, cleaning, bathing, or engaging in other potentially damaging activities.
Gold Jewelry Buying Tips
Looking for solid gold jewelry? To buy durable, stylish gold, make sure to visit a jeweler you trust. Check any hallmarks on the jewelry you're interested in to ensure it matches the purity you're looking for. Choose the gold color and carat that best fits your style and budget.
Gold Jewelry Care Tips
Prolonged or repeated contact with chlorine or other chemicals in cleaning products can damage gold jewelry. We recommend removing jewelry during gardening or cleaning to reduce wear and maintain shine. To clean gold jewelry, use warm water with a detergent-free soap solution and a soft-bristled brush. Then, polish with a specialized jewelry polishing cloth or jewelry cleaning solution. When not wearing your gold jewelry, store it in a soft cloth pouch or its original box to prevent scratches.
Gold Facts
Fool's Gold
Pyrite is a mineral often mistaken for gold. It has a similar color to gold but breaks rather than bends.
Tutankhamun's Gold Tomb
Ancient Egyptians loved gold so much that they filled pyramids with it. Tutankhamun's tomb included a sarcophagus, with the innermost chamber containing 240 pounds of gold, not including the gold walls of the chamber.
Global Purity Trends Differences
The popularity of gold carat weights can vary around the world. While 14k and 18k are popular in many countries, other parts of the world prefer wearing higher carat jewelry. Gold jewelry in South Asia is often of higher purity.
Seeing Gold in Space
NASA loves gold, but not for jewelry. This precious metal has many valuable applications in space. Satellites often carry gold-coated sheets to protect against solar heat, while astronauts' helmets have gold-coated visors to protect against solar radiation. Additionally, NASA uses gold to ensure effective communication for satellite electronics without corroding crucial components.
Gold to Date
The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that 244,000 metric tons of gold have been discovered. Most of this gold has been found in China, Australia, and South Africa.
Gold Foil on Food
You can wear and eat gold foil on certain occasions. Food-grade gold foil is considered edible and might appear on dishes in luxury restaurants.