Guide to Buying Gold Jewelry: Tips to Know Before You Buy

March 18, 2019

No matter what’s trending, you know you can always rock gold jewelry. Gold is a timeless metal. There are many colors of gold you can wear — rose gold is hot now, white gold is classic, but yellow gold dominates them all.

Since there are different kinds of gold, shopping for gold jewelry can be a little difficult. No two gold jewelry pieces are the same. As a consumer, you need to ensure the gold jewelry you buy is of the highest quality.

How do you know which gold jewelry piece to buy? Read this guide to buying gold jewelry and know these tips when shopping for gold.

Gold Is Measured in 24ths

We all know karat size is a major factor in your jewelry piece. But how do karat weights influence the gold you buy? Unlike other metals, gold is measured in 24^ths. This means 24 karat gold is 100% gold.

In short, the higher the karat value, the more valuable the gold.

10 karat is 41.7% gold with the remainder mixed with other metal alloys

14 karat is 58.5% gold with the remainder mixed with other metal alloys

18 karat is 75 % gold with the remainder mixed with other metal alloys

24 karat is pure gold and is very soft and malleable so it is typically not made into any jewelry in the United States.

Gold Filled vs Gold Plated

Another way to gauge the quality of a gold jewelry piece is to know if it’s gold filled or gold plated.

Gold filled is an actual layer of gold pressure bonded to another metal. Gold filled is not to be confused with gold plating, as filled has more gold than gold plating which makes it more valuable and tarnish resistant. It does not flake off, rub off or turn colors.

Gold plated is made of other metals but dipped in gold to create the allusion that it’s gold. These jewelry options are cheaper but they’re low quality. The gold exterior can chip and wear off.

All consumers who want fine gold to last generation after generation should steer away from gold filled as well as gold plated jewelry and stick to 14 or 18 karat gold.

Shop Depending on the Jewelry You Want

Now that you know gold jewelry comes in different karat sizes and strengths, another good tip is to determine the ideal karat size based on the jewelry piece you’re buying.

Even though pure gold is the most valuable, it’s too soft and the most prone to damage. Higher alloy content should be applied to jewelry pieces, such as rings and bracelets. All white, yellow and rose gold in either 14 or 18 karats is a good size and is recommended.

Guide to Buying Gold Jewelry: It’s Time to Shop!

Now that you read the guide to buying gold jewelry, are you ready to shop? If you’re in Tampa, come visit our jewelry store!

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Since 1972, Johnston Jewelers has been The Tampa Bay Area’s most trusted, family-owned jewelry store. With 50 years experience, we are committed to satisfying the needs of every customer. Whether it’s the perfect engagement ring, gift idea, custom jewelry design, or even a simple repair, our goal is to exceed your expectations. We carry a variety of high fashion jewelry from fine watches, exquisite bridal rings, and custom jewelry designs, to loose diamonds. We take pride in keeping a family friendly environment where we provide the best quality goods and services at affordable prices. Now in our third generation of Johnston’s, we look forward to the privilege of satisfying your jewelry needs for many years to come.