Here are some useful information about Gold buying.
What Is 18K, 14K and 12K Gold?
The purity rating ranges between 10K and 24K. So while the higher karat ratings are the most sought after, you can also buy gold jewelry with less gold. This table shows the gold content per karat:
|
Karat |
% Gold |
|
10K |
41.67% |
|
12K |
50% |
|
14K |
58.33% |
|
18K |
75% |
|
22K |
91.67% |
|
24K |
99.99% |
Since 24K is pure gold, don’t let a dealer try to sell you 25K or 26K gold!
What’s the Difference Between 22K and 24K Gold?
First, we need to define what the “K” is in these terms. The term “karat” (with a K) refers to the fineness of gold, while the term carat (with a C) refers to the weight of gemstones. So “24-karat gold jewelry” tells you what the purity rating is, while “24-carat gold jewelry” simply tells you how heavy it is (which doesn’t account for impurities). When shopping for jewelry, “karat” is nearly always the implied meaning. (And “carrot” is just a healthy snack we happen to enjoy.)
Karat is symbolized as K or Kt and will be preceded by a purity rating of 10, 12, 14, 18, 22 or 24. In most advanced countries, jewelers are required by law to stamp their gold jewelry with its karat rating.
So what is 24K gold? Simply put, the higher the karat, the purer the gold. 24K signifies 99.9 percent purity, the highest you can buy. 24K gold is bright yellow, and its beauty and shine are unmistakable. Gold jewelry stamped 22K is approximately 91 percent pure gold, with the other 9 percent usually consisting of copper, silver or other metals.
How to Buy the Right Jewelry Size
If you can’t try the piece on in a store, here are a few guidelines to select the right size. If you’re buying it as a gift, this info can help you identify what might look best on your recipient.
Necklaces for women: These can range anywhere from 10 to 48 inches. Most women’s necklaces are sold in even-inch lengths.
Here are the most common necklace lengths for women and where they fall on the average female body:
|
Women's Necklace Length |
Position |
|
10 to 14 inches |
Wraps closely around neck |
|
16 inches |
Wraps loosely around neck |
|
18 inches |
Sits near the collarbone |
|
20 inches |
Sits below the collarbone |
|
22 inches |
Lays near top of bust |
|
24 inches |
Lays at or below center of bust |
|
28 to 38 inches |
Hangs below bust |
Be aware the clasp or connector that holds the necklace together is typically not included in necklace size measurements. A standard clasp is ¾-inch long. Some may be longer, so take this into account when considering the length.
Necklaces for men: These typically range from 18 to 24 inches and are also usually manufactured in even-inch lengths.
Here are the most common necklace lengths for men and where they fall on the average male frame:
|
Men's Necklace Length |
Position |
|
18 inches |
Sits at base of neck |
|
20 inches |
Sits at collarbone |
|
22 inches |
Falls at or below collarbone |
|
24 inches |
Falls to the upper chest |
Bracelets for women: The standard size for a women’s bracelet is 7-7½ inches. The bracelet will hang between the hand and wrist bone, which fashion experts say is the most attractive position.