Metal Education

EDUCATION SERIES

METAL

         GOLD         



Renowned for its gleaming lustre and denseness, gold is known as the softest and most pliable natural metal.

In its purest form, gold is bright yellow in color, but is often mixed with other metals, such as silver and copper, to form a more durable alloy that's more resistant to everyday wear and tear.

Additionally, these alloys help color gold and produce shades of white, yellow, and rose. At Michael Trio, we specialize in high-quality 14 karat and 18 karat pieces, the standard for fine gold jewellery.


GOLD PURITY

There are various grades of gold purity, determined by the ratio of their alloy composition and rated by a karat system.

Typical karat purities range from 10 karats to 24 karats (pure gold), with a wide variation of usage from country to country. Pure gold (24 karats) is the softest and 10 karats is the hardest.

At Michael Trio, we specialize in high-quality 14 karat and 18 karat pieces, the standard for fine gold jewellery.

 

COLOURS

Due to its inherent softness and malleability, gold is rarely used alone when forging a jewellery piece.

Instead, it's blended with other fine metals to lend more hardness and durability. When pure gold is combined with these other metals, it takes on a variety of rich shades.

MICHAEL TRIO OFFERS FOLLOWING:

WHITE GOLD

White gold is an alloy of gold mixed with metals such as silver, palladium, or nickel. White gold is coated with either rhodium or a palladium and platinum mixture, both of which add lustre to the jewellery’s surface.


This alloy hides the natural color of white gold, which is a combination of grey and slight yellow. To maintain the lustre of white gold, you can re-dip your white gold jewellery in Rhodium periodically.

YELLOW GOLD

Most common form of gold found in jewellery and usually mixed with copper and silver. Its color depends on the amount of pure gold in the alloy.


Within the yellow gold family, there can be a marked difference in shading based on the karat weight-for instance, an 18 karat yellow gold ring will be richer and more brilliant in color than one measuring 10 karats.

ROSE GOLD

Rose gold gets its striking coloration from the addition of copper and silver. The larger the ratio of copper, the darker the rose coloration will be.


These alloys blush and accentuate the gold with a pink hue, which varies in color depending upon the amount of copper blended with the pure gold. The quantity of copper determines whether the gold is pink or more rose colored in tone and highlights.

GOLD CARE
AND MAINTENANCE

PREVENT DAMAGE

Avoid contact with chlorine, bleach, harsh soaps, and lotions, as these can damage or compromise the surface of the gold.

STORE IT SAFELY

When not in use, store your gold jewellery safely to avoid contact with other pieces, which can cause scratching.

Ideally, each gold piece should be kept in its own plastic zip-lock bag or soft cloth pouch to avoid tarnishing.

Cleaning Tips

For a cleaning solution, use a mix of mild non-abrasive detergent and warm water.

Use a soft cloth to polish the jewellery piece. Be sure to wipe until the gold is completely dry.

Gently scrub the surface of the gold with a soft-bristled jewellery brush.

Using a small brush will help to cleanse hard-to-reach areas, such as in between the prongs of a diamond ring setting or the clasp of a gold watch.