If you plan on wearing the jewelry on a daily basis, you will probably want it to be no more than 18 karats, i. e. 75 percent pure, to avoid damage. [3] X Research source You should also consider how often your jewelry will come into contact with hard surfaces on a regular basis. For example, highly pure gold rings and bracelets are likely to experience damage if worn daily.

Plating involves dipping a base metal like steel or brass into an electroplating solution with a lump of pure gold. An electric current is applied and the gold will attach itself in a thin layer around the metal. The plating is usually very thin and prone to wear. [4] X Research source Vermeil involves the same plating process but specifically refers to jewelry that has a base material of sterling silver. Sterling silvery is often preferred by people that have allergies to precious medals. The plating is usually very thin and prone to wear.

Yellow gold represents the color of the natural color of the mineral but that doesn’t mean that all yellow gold jewelry is pure. Don’t assume that yellow gold is pure and always check the markings. [6] X Research source www. finishing. com/faqs/whitegold. shtml White gold is created by mixing in palladium or nickel. It resembles silver but has a slightly brighter hue. Pink or rose gold is created by mixing in copper. Green gold is created by mixing in silver. Because of the value of both silver and gold, green gold is usually more expensive than other varieties.

Don’t be afraid to ask a potential jeweler for their credentials and proof of certification. Pick a jeweler that offers a variety of services such as resizing and custom design. If it’s a significant purchase, don’t buy at the first store you visit. Look for similar pieces at other stores so you have a price comparison. Check the current price of gold by the ounce to make sure you’re getting a good deal. [8] X Expert Source Kennon YoungMaster Gemologist Appraiser Expert Interview. 13 September 2019.

The markings will demonstrate purity in one of two ways. Some will show the number of karats with the letter ‘K’ after it. For example, ‘24K’ means 24 karat pure gold. Some gold pieces will instead have a three digit number that expresses the percentage of purity to the tenth decimal point. For example, 14 karat gold might say ‘585,’ which means that it’s 58. 5 percent pure and 8 karat gold might say ‘333,’ which means it’s one-third pure. [9] X Research source Beyond the purity, there should also be a marking to indicate the additive metal for impure alloyed gold. ‘GF’ means gold filled, ‘GP’ means gold plated. To express the base metal, ‘Pd’ means Palladium, ‘PT’ or ‘PLAT’ means platinum and ‘SS’ or ‘STEEL’ means stainless steel. [10] X Research source www. raregoldjewelry. com/guide-stamps-inscriptions-gold-jewelry There may also be a single or double-digit marking for the ring size if it’s a ring.

Research the typical price of your gold piece accounting for the purity. Watch out for gold that is extremely cheap as it may be counterfeit or have false markings. [13] X Research source www. jewelrynotes. com/how-to-detect-fake-gold-chain-necklace/

Add a few drops of dishwashing soap to a large bowl filled with warm water. Gently place the jewelry in the water and let it soak for about 15 minutes. Pick up the jewelry and scrub it with the toothbrush. Pay special attention to the crevices where dirt can collect. Rinse the jewelry in the water bowl without the soap. Make sure you remove all soap residue. Gently blot the jewelry dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Place the jewelry on the cloth and let it air dry for about 20 minutes.

Try to keep it separate from other jewelry pieces that might cause scratching on contact.