Anyone who loves jewelry knows that pawn shops sell incredible pieces at great prices. From one day to the next, the selection changes. Check out what’s available from the gold dealers in Chicago before heading to the jewelry stores at the mall.
When buying jewelry, it’s helpful to understand how gold is graded.
The Gold Grading System
Gold used in jewelry is almost always mixed with another metal such as copper or nickel, creating an alloy. Pure gold is very soft and would not hold up to the wear and tear. The higher the grade, the more gold is in the item and the more expensive it usually is. Mixing another metal with pure gold does not only make the piece more durable, but the color of the metal added to the gold can also change the color. Rose gold, for example, is gold mixed with copper.
The karat (18K, 14K etc.) refers only to the percentage of gold in the alloy. A 14K ring, for example, will always contain 58.3% gold, regardless of what other metal is mixed with the gold.
* 24K:
100% pure gold. No other metal has been added.
* 18K:
75% pure gold. The alloy contains 18 parts of gold and 6 parts of at least one additional metal.
* 14K:
58.3% pure gold. The alloy contains 14 parts of gold and 10 parts of at least one additional metal.
* 12K:
50% gold. The alloy contains 12 parts gold and 12 parts of at least one additional metal.
* 10K:
41.7% gold. This is the least expensive alloy, containing 10 parts of gold and 14 parts of at least one additional metal. In the U.S., 10K is the minimum karat that can be called “gold.”
Gold Filled vs. Gold Plated
Gold filled means that a layer of gold has been pressure-bonded onto another metal. This is not the same as gold plating, as a piece of jewelry that is gold filled contains twice as much gold as a similar piece that is only gold plated. Gold filled jewelry is very durable and much more valuable than gold plated jewelry. It will not turn colors or rub off, as happens with gold plated jewelry. Gold filled jewelry provides a very economical alternative to graded gold jewelry.
Visit Clark Pawners & Jewelers, one of the premier gold dealers in Chicago before shopping elsewhere.
