old chains are fashionable accessories and have been popular ever since ancient times. These items have been symbols of wealth, power and prestige. Gold jewelry styles may vary but gold will never go out of style.
Men are inclined to get chains that are wider while women go for the more delicate types. Men's gold chains are also generally more expensive because of the amount of gold and alloy in them. They are also heavier and more durable.
The quality and the cost of gold chains depend on the amount of pure gold in the chain itself. Gold's quality is quantified using karat ratings. The highest of which is 24 karats. A 14k chain is made of 58.5 percent pure gold. The remaining 41.5 percent comes from a different metal usually copper, nickel or zinc. It may also be alloyed with palladium, silver or platinum depending on the use.
Gold necklaces made of 14 karat gold would weigh more than that made of a lesser karat rating. Gold is typically heavier than other metals so having 24 karat gold chain is actually heavy. However, even if it is heavy it does not mean it is durable. Gold is a soft metal and is prone to bends and nicks especially the 24 karat types. A 14k gold chain is one of the most commonly used for jewelry because it is durable but still has the right amount of gold that you can show off.
Take note that 14k gold may come in different colors depending on the alloy used to mix with gold. There are gold types such as white, rose, black, green, blue and purple gold but still have the same karat ratings.
To test the quality of a 14k gold chain, here are some simple ways that you can do at home.
For this test, you're going to need a gold-testing kit containing a black testing stone, 14k scratching needle and a gold testing acid plus the gold piece you want to test.
The first step is to scratch the black stone from the kit with the 14k gold that you are testing. Scratch the black stone with the 14k scratching needle a few millimeters away from the first scratch. Place one drop of acid on the scratch mark made by the piece and examine the stone.
If the color of the two scratch marks are the same then the piece of jewelry you are testing is indeed 14 karats or even higher. If the colors do not match and the color from the first scratch eventually fades then the gold chain you are testing has a lower karat rating than 14 karats.
Take care of a 14k gold piece of jewelry by making sure that you are storing it in a place without moisture. Jewelry with different hues must also be stored in separate containers to maintain their quality and luster.
Additional care may be applied by making it a point to take off all your jewelry and storing them right away when you arrive home. Cleaning them or having them cleaned occasionally is also a healthy option for your beloved gold chains.
The quality and the cost of gold chains depend on the amount of pure gold in the chain itself. Gold's quality is quantified using karat ratings. The highest of which is 24 karats. A 14k chain is made of 58.5 percent pure gold. The remaining 41.5 percent comes from a different metal usually copper, nickel or zinc. It may also be alloyed with palladium, silver or platinum depending on the use.
Gold necklaces made of 14 karat gold would weigh more than that made of a lesser karat rating. Gold is typically heavier than other metals so having 24 karat gold chain is actually heavy. However, even if it is heavy it does not mean it is durable. Gold is a soft metal and is prone to bends and nicks especially the 24 karat types. A 14k gold chain is one of the most commonly used for jewelry because it is durable but still has the right amount of gold that you can show off.
Take note that 14k gold may come in different colors depending on the alloy used to mix with gold. There are gold types such as white, rose, black, green, blue and purple gold but still have the same karat ratings.
To test the quality of a 14k gold chain, here are some simple ways that you can do at home.
For this test, you're going to need a gold-testing kit containing a black testing stone, 14k scratching needle and a gold testing acid plus the gold piece you want to test.
The first step is to scratch the black stone from the kit with the 14k gold that you are testing. Scratch the black stone with the 14k scratching needle a few millimeters away from the first scratch. Place one drop of acid on the scratch mark made by the piece and examine the stone.
If the color of the two scratch marks are the same then the piece of jewelry you are testing is indeed 14 karats or even higher. If the colors do not match and the color from the first scratch eventually fades then the gold chain you are testing has a lower karat rating than 14 karats.
Take care of a 14k gold piece of jewelry by making sure that you are storing it in a place without moisture. Jewelry with different hues must also be stored in separate containers to maintain their quality and luster.
Additional care may be applied by making it a point to take off all your jewelry and storing them right away when you arrive home. Cleaning them or having them cleaned occasionally is also a healthy option for your beloved gold chains.
