Gold Parties - Have Fun and Earn Immediate Cash

One of the commodities that people really trade these days is gold, as it maintains an unwavering high price in the market. All this has incited traders to find people for making exchange. If you find the price offered by the trader good then you can deal with him. Only if you are fortunate, you will run into such people, as they do not go to extremes hunting for people to trade. You need to exert and find their shops for selling your gold.

The good news is that people who do not want to get into the hassles of looking for these traders for selling their gold have better options. Gold party is the buzzword these days. You can choose to host a party at your place or be a part of some gold party organized by your family or friends. Gold parties are not just a way to make money but they are fun filled for you and your guests too.

The latest craze in different places- Gold home parties, which are born out of economic recession and skyrocketing prices of gold. Home based gold parties are way to sell gold without any botheration. There would be a professional jeweler available in such parties who will weigh gold and determine its quality. You can look forward to decent payouts as the host takes care that company involved in buying gold from you is good enough.

You can choose to get the gold analysis in private and broker does not share your personal information with the other guests in the party. Bid is made by jewelry based on weight and finesse of your gold. All you have to do is sign acceptance form to get immediate cash for your gold if you like the offer. The assessment does not take much of your time.

Gold parties serve dual purposes of the monetary benefits combines with the rich social elements. Both of these factors are enough to create fascination among your guests and make these parties popular. Make use of the unused resources for enhancing the quality of life. Host a gold party and you will also be benefited as you get 10% of the total sales happened at the party. Just by hosting a party for socializing, you can cash so much money too.

If you wish to throw a gold party and do not know how to go about it, you can take help of professionals. You can outsource all the headache of planning the gold party. Starting form the planning of the decoration to the invitations to your guests is done by the professional company while you sit back and relax. Expert party planners make sure that your gold party is happening as well as profitable for you.

Printing and mailing of the invitations, arranging appetizers and drinks are taken care by experienced and friendly staff. Host a gold party and make money without worrying about the preparation with the assistance of experts. There is no better way to earn an extra source of income while having fun.

Gold Maple Leaf Facts

The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coin is a beautiful, practical option for anyone considering investing in gold. The economies of many nations fluctuate rapidly. Even when things are going well, your stock portfolio or other investments could head downward in a hurry. Many investors have found gold to be an investment that allows them to sleep well at night. While no investment provides a guarantee that you will receive a certain return on your investment, gold is a popular choice because many investors believe it offers stability and a position of relative security versus stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investment options that are available. The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is a practical way for beginners to start investing in gold. Many who currently have an investment portfolio seek to further diversify by investing in Gold Maple Leaf coins.

When buying gold, care must be taken to ensure that the gold you purchase is of good quality, weight, and purity. Research must be done to make sure that the seller of the gold coins you buy is reputable. While there are many trustworthy gold dealers, the savvy investor must be on the lookout for scammers that pretend to provide authentic ones. You must do your research to ensure that these companies do not rip you off.

The Royal Canadian Mint produces the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, and the government of Canada guarantees the authenticity of the coins. Each purchase of Gold Maple Leaf coins is guaranteed for its weight and purity. These coins are recognized throughout the world, and they are easily bought and sold through trade markets, dealers, and other means. The coins are easy to obtain and easy to sell.

Another advantage of Gold Maple Leaf coins is their liquidity. Unlike stocks, mutual funds, and other types of investment vehicles, Canadian Gold Leaf Coins can easily be turned into cash when you need it. The coins themselves can be used as legal tender wherever Canadian currency is accepted. In addition, Gold Maple Leaf coins can be sold easily for the value of the gold itself. The amount you receive for your Canadian Maple Leaf Gold Coin depends on the current price of gold itself, but the return on your investment can potentially be many times what you paid for the coins.

Finally, when you invest in Canadian Gold Leaf coins, you hold the investment in your hands. Unlike other investment options, you hold something of actual value. Stocks can lose value quickly if a company struggles or goes out of business. Gold offers no guarantee to the investor, but the metal itself will never be worth zero. At the minimum, your investment is guaranteed to return the face value of the coin when used as currency. Stocks, bonds and mutual funds can make no such promise.

Many places offer you the opportunity to buy your gold coins online. If you want to get the most for your money, however, check out penny auction sites. Often, with a penny auction, you can buy Canadian Gold Leaf coins and save as much as 99% compared to buying them from traditional dealers of gold coins.

Where is Gold Headed Now?

Our predictions came true from 2006 when we hypothesized gold could soon reach $1,000 an once, in our article, The Rising Price of Gold and Retail Jewelry. But are we right in our predictions this time? With the world insecure about this political season's "#1 issue", the economy, no one truly knows the future state of gold. But, of course, we can speculate ...

When we wrote that article, back in April 2006, gold was at approx. $600 an ounce. By March of 2008, just under two years later, we witnessed gold exceed $1,000 per ounce for the first time in its history.

The thought of gold reaching $1,000 as quickly as it did, seemed unlikely to us. We had hoped it would take at least 3-4 years or more to get there. After all, we do not necessarily make more money as a jewelry retailer when gold prices increase. What happens instead is that our prices increase -- yet our margins remain approx. the same, since we too are purchasing jewelry at a higher cost from our gold manufacturers and suppliers.

As a company, Apples of Gold Jewelry actually wants gold prices to fall, therefore making gold jewelry more affordable for our customers.

But where is gold headed now? We can only guess, as we did before, but we are hearing in the media and print the quiet murmurings of a gold bubble. If that seems unlikely, it also seemed equally unlikely to us when we predicted gold $1,000 back in April, 2006.

As I write this article, I hardly believe that gold will go significantly lower, but at the same time, history shows that gold, like many other commodities that have run high, will eventually decrease in value, especially as the economy stabilizes. Gold did see around $800 per ounce back in the 1980s, and later it dropped to the mid $200s after being elevated to such high levels. Will gold at some point in the near future have a mini-crash back down to $500 or $600 per ounce?

This can depend on several factors, including the U.S. and world economy, the strength of the dollar, the price of oil, the housing market, political change, and many other factors. The "buzz" on the street that we are hearing is that investors should "hold" gold, but not purchase anymore. What many investors are saying is that gold has had its run and now is too late to get in the market. Gold is a great investment when times are tough, when the dollar is down, when the economy is showing signs of trouble. Will that turn around soon? That is the question that we will have to wait and let economic history and world affairs play themselves out.

Then again, some are still brazen enough to predict gold will reach $2,000 per ounce in the near future -- but those voices are now fewer and farther in between.

All we can tell you is that the general mood of the market is that gold may go a little higher still, but then again, it may stabilize or head lower. No one is really sure at this pivot point in the gold market.

We were right once two years ago. We're not sure if we will be right again.

Rare and Precious Gold and Platinum Buying Guide(1)

Gold: The timeless choice

Gold jewelry is very popular today and available in more styles, colors, and finishes than ever before. It is also a popular choice for setting gemstones. But it is very important to understand gold, and differences that affect price, in order to avoid confusion about the wide range of prices that seems to pervade the market for what may appear to be the “same thing.” As with gems, wherever there are significant price differences there are usually quality differences. The key to getting value in gold is understanding what accounts for differences in quality and price.

What is gold?

Gold is one of the world’s most precious metals. It is so soft and workable that one ounce can be stretched into a five mile long wire, or hammered into a sheet so thin that it could cover a hundred square feet. It is one of our rarest metals, and since pure gold doesn’t rust or corrode, it can last forever. Interestingly, gold is present almost everywhere around us; in the earth’s crust, in seas and rivers, and in plants, but it is very difficult and expensive to extract. Approximately two and a half to three tons of ore are needed to extract one ounce of gold.

Most gold used in jewelry is an alloy

Gold is the most popular metal used for jewelry today. The simple gold wedding band probably accounts for more of the world’s gold than any other single type of jewelry. But pure gold is very soft so it is usually mixed with other metals to make it stronger and prevent it from bending too easily. When two or more metals are mixed together, we call the resulting product an alloy. Most gold used in jewelry is an alloy; and the metals added to the gold are also called “alloys.”

What is a Karat? Or is it Carat?

In jewelry, the term carat (or, Karat) has a double meaning: carat is used as a measurement of weight for gemstones, with one carat weighing 1/5 gram; carat is also used in countries around the word to indicate the amount of pure gold in a piece of gold jewelry. In the United States, however, when using the word to indicate gold content rather gemstone weight, it is spelled with a “K;” hence “karat,” to avoid confusion. Jewelry should always be marked to indicate how much pure gold it contains.
In the united States a karat mark, abbreviated to K or KT, indicates the amount of pure gold present in the metal. The word karat (carat) is derived from the word for fruit of the carob tree: in Italian, carato; in Arabic, qirat; in Greek, keration. The seeds of the fruit were used in ancient times for weighing gems. Also, the pure gold Byzantine coin cald the solidus weighed 24 karats. therefore, a 24 karat mark (24K or 24KT) became the mark used to indicate that something was pure gold.
To understand the concept as applied to gold, imagine that, “pure gold” is a pie into 24 equal “slices” or parts. Each karat equals one part of the pie. So, 24 KT would mean that 24 parts (out of a total of 24) are gold. In other words, 24 KT would be 100% gold; or, pure gold. In the 18 karat gold jewelry, 18 parts are pure gold and six are another metal (or, 18/24 = 3/4 = 75% pure gold); in 12 karat, 12 parts are pure gold, 12 parts another metal (12/24 = 1/2 = 50% pure gold). And so on.
I some cultures, 24 karat gold jewelry is required for certain jewelry pieces, but it’s generally agreed that 24 karat, or pure gold, is too soft for jewelry use. In some parts of the world, 18 KT 0r 20 karat is preferred because of its brighter yellow color and because it is considered “purer” and more precious. In the United States, we prefer 14 or 18 karat gold because it is more durable than higher karat gold. We caution clients about the risk of high karat gold (20 KT, 22 KT, or 24 KT) for a gem-studded setting because prongs can be too easily bent open accidentally, resulting in the loss of the stones.
In some countries such as Italy, the percentage of pure gold is indicated by a number representing how many parts; out of a total of 1,000 parts, are pure gold. One thousand parts would be the equivalent or 24 karat; 750 means 750 parts of 1,000: 750/1000 = 75/100 = 75% pure gold. This corresponds to 18 KT.

A word about Russian marks

Old time pieces made in Russia were marked to indicate the content on its equivalent to a “zolotnik.” A piece marked 96 contained as much gold as 96 zolotniks, which equals pure gold; 72 equals 18 KT (750); 56 equals 14 KT (585).

To be called gold, what is the minimum gold content?

Many countries have established minimum standards that must be met for items to be legally called “gold.” The laws governing the actual content of gold required in piece of jewelry, however, vary. In the United States, to be called “gold,” the item must be at least 10 KT; in England and Canada, 9 KT; in Italy and France, 18 KT.

The many colors of gold

Pure gold is always yellow. But because pure gold is too soft for most jewelry use, and must be mixed with other metals (alloys) to increase its hardness, the color can also be modified by adding varying amounts of these other metals. Those usually added to gold for jewelry use include copper, zinc, silver, nickel, platinum, and palladium (a metal in the platinum family). Depending upon which alloys are used, a variety of colors can be produced. Another practice is to plate 14 KT gold jewelry with 18 KT for an 18 KT look, that is, a stronger yellow color. White gold is also frequently plated with rhodium, a rare and more expensive metal from the platinum family, to create a whiter, brighter finish.

Some people are allergic to nickel and should not wear white gold containing nickel. For this reason, a white gold alloyed with palladium is being used by some manufacturers. White gold that contains palladium will be more expensive than yellow gold or white gold containing another alloy. But it is still less expensive than platinum.

What causes skin discoloration with some gold jewelry?
Pure gold doesn’t tarnish and won’t discolor the skin, but alloys in the gold can corrode and produce discoloration to the skin in contact with the gold, especially under moist or damp conditions. Fats and fatty acids present in perspiration can set up a corrosive reaction, and the problem can be worse in warm, humid areas, especially where chloride (salt) is in the air.
Smog can also be a problem. Smog fumes can introduce chemicals that cause the alloys in gold to tarnish. The tarnish then rubs off, discoloring skin or clothing.
Cosmetics may be culprit.
Another common cause of discoloration is metallic abrasion caused by some makeup. Some makeup contains compounds that are actually harder than the jewelry with which it comes into contact. As the harder compounds rub against the jewelry, they cause tiny particles of metal to flake off, forming a darkish looking dust. When this dust makes contact with a soft, absorbent surface such as skin or clothing, it forms a black smudge.

There are several possible solutions to the problem of skin discoloration. First, get into the habit of removing jewelry often and cleaning the skin that has been in contact with it with soap and water. Keep your jewelry clean as well, and wipe it periodically with a soft cloth to remove tarnish. Next, try using an absorbent body powder, one free of abrasives, on all areas of your skin that are in contact with jewelry.

Pay attention to the design of jewelry you select if skin discoloration seems to be a problem; wide shanks can cause perspiration, and rings with an inner concave surface can cause moisture and contaminants to collect, causing both discoloration and dermatitis.

finally, try switching to a higher gold content or to a different manufacturer. The higher the gold content, the less likely it is that discoloration will occur because in the higher karat gold there is less of the alloy, such as copper, silver, nickel, that might corrode. People who have a problem wearing 14 KT gold jewelry may find that the problem disappears with 18 KT gold.

Sometimes simply changing to a similar product by a different manufacturer may solve the problem. This does not mean that one product is inferior to the other. Manufacturers often use different combinations of alloys, or different percentages or ratios of alloys. They may look the same, but you might find you can wear one manufacturer’s line better than that of another.

Since different metals, and different ratios, are used to produce different colors, discoloration may result when wearing one particular color or gold, but not when wearing other colors. If there seems to be a problem when wearing white gold, try white gold alloyed with platinum rather than nickel, since platinum won’t corrode.

Determining value requires more than scale!

- Weight is one factor that goes into determining the value of a piece of gold jewelry. Gold usually sold by weight, in grams or pennyweights. There are 20 pennyweights to one ounce; if you multiply grams by 0.643, you will have the number of pennyweights. Weight is important because it is an indication of the actual amount of pure gold in the piece. However, it is only one factor only to consider. When buying gold from a gold manufacturer, for example, factored into the price per gram is the cost of gold PLUS the cost for labor and workmanship. The price always takes into consideration:
1) The type of construction,
2) The means of production, and
3) How the piece is finished.

- Design and construction is important not only because of the piece’s finished look, but also because specific details in the overall design and construction affect comfort, wear-ability, and ease in putting the piece on or taking it off. Good design requires excellent designers, and extra care and attention to small mechanical details. This adds to the cost of any piece of jewelry.

In addition, jewelry design is also becoming recognized as an “art,” and jewelry designers as “artists.” some award winning designers command top dollar, as do top painters, sculptors, and other artists. A piece of gold jewelry made by a fine designer, especially if it is a one-of-kind or limited edition piece, will sometimes sell for much more than another piece of mass produced gold jewelry of the same weight and gold content.
In looking at a piece of gold jewelry, you must also consider the type of construction necessary to create a particular design or look. Is the construction simple or complex? Did the piece require extensive labor or minimal labor? Did it require special skill, talent, or equipment?
To ignore the design and construction factors and assign a value to apiece of gold jewelry based on gold content (i. e. 14 KT, 18 KT, etc.) and weight alone would be equivalent to placing a value on a painting based on the cost of paint and canvas alone.

- Production can affect price significantly. Is the piece produced by machine or by hand? The type of construction required to create a particular design may require that it be made entirely, or in part, by hand, while others can be completely made by machine. Some designs may be produced either way, but those done by hand will have a different look, and cost.

- Finish is where we take into account the care and labor costs associated with the actual finishing of the piece. For example, are there any special skills or techniques required to put on the final touches that make the piece distinctive, such as engraving, milgraining, hammering, or granulation? here we also need to note whether or not the piece has been carefully polished to remove any scratches that might diminish its beauty, or rough edges that might be abrasive or catch or snag on fabric. Consider whether the item was hand polished or machine polished; some pieces are machine made, but finished by hand. We must also take into consideration any special finishes to the metal itself, such as a florentine, matte, or sand blasted finish. Each step in the process, and each special step or skill required, adds; sometimes dramatically, to the cost.

Adding it all up

Many pieces of gold jewelry look alike at first glance. When examined carefully, however, if often becomes clear where the difference lie, both in quality and cost. Ask your jeweler to help you understand these differences by comparing different qualities for you. Only after carefully evaluating all these factors can you appreciate gold jewelry and recognize cost differences and real value.

Is that “Bargain” really a bargain?

Beware of underkarating, which is a serious problem around the world. If a piece of gold jewelry is underkarated, it means that the jewelry is marked to indicate a certain gold content, but actually contains less than is indicated. Needless to say, retailers who knowingly sell underkarated gold jewelry create the impression that they are giving you a bargain because their prices are so low, but if there is actually less gold ( and more alloy, so the piece would have a comparable weight to the others you might be considering), you aren’t getting any bargain. Unfortunately, most people never learn that they have bought underkarated gold. Thus, it is very important to buy gold jewelry from a reputable source, one that makes the effort to check its gold shipments carefully.

Look for a manufacturer’s registered trademark. Being sure gold is properly represented in terms of its value is what really matters; you should get what you pay for. Buying from a reliable source is the first step. In addition, be sure to look for a manufacturer’s registered trademark, a mark stamped near the karat mark. To avoid being held liable themselves, more and more jewelers are buying only from manufacturers willing to stamp what they make with their own mark, a mark registered with the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office. Buying gold with a “manufacturer’s trademark” is one way to help assure you get what you pay for, since the product can be traced to a specific manufacturer, whose name and reputation are on the line.
Fine, expensive gold jewelry should always be tested. While testing for exact gold content requires assaying, it is usually relatively easy to detect any underkarating that is serius enough to affect the value of a specific piece of jewelry and the price paid. Any jeweler or gemologist appraiser can make such determination, in most cases, quickly and easily with only a gold tester or by using the streak test. You should be aware that an electronic gold tester, some very heavily plated pieces might give a false reading indicating gold when the piece is only base metal. For this reason the streak test is better but the person doing the test must be sure to take a file or carbide scriber and make a very deep scratch in order to penetrate the plating for an accurate test.

There are strict laws pertaining to gold content and marks used to indicate it. Take the time to understand what you are buying, buy only from a reputable source, and be sure to have it tested. If you do, your gold jewelry will give you a lifetime of pleasure.

Gem Stone Gold Jewelry

Gem stone and gold nugget jewelry has a special appeal to those who love the beauty of nature compressed into a natural stone or shiny metal. Many online stores offer unique pieces that are made with nuggets from Alaska and gems from Sri Lanka. Gemstones are many and varied including diamonds, opals, sapphires, onyx, emeralds and rubies. They have held the awe of royalty and peasantry alike throughout the centuries of monarch rule in England and continue to grab the attention of anyone today who appreciates nature at its finest. Collectible pieces such as watches, necklaces, rings and bracelets made with gold and gemstones are a prized and sometimes rare possession in many people's jewelry boxes.

The creativity of God is seen in even the smallest elements sometimes and gem stone gold jewelry is not an exception. "The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious...He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion." (Psalm 111:2,3a,4) Made from carbon that is compressed, diamonds are one of the hardest of all natural gemstones. Dazzling, diamond gemstones come in various colors including yellow, blue, green, orange and an almost black. Colors such as red, green, and blue are among the rarest of all diamonds and are certainly the most expensive to purchase. Diamonds are cut in such a way as to release the natural sparkle that occurs when light hits the stone.

Some stones come in varying degrees of clarity and can be purchased as flawless. This particular gemstone has been used for many years as the gift of choice for romantic occasions such as engagements, anniversaries and just because. Far from the gold rush days, but not too far to enjoy gold nugget jewelry, many consumers also appreciate customized pieces that are made from mined nuggets from Alaska, North Carolina, Virginia, California or the goldfields of Australia. While the amount of precious metal mined today has vastly dropped from the boom of yesteryear, there are still nuggets found today that are made into beautiful, unique pieces of jewelry.

In fact, some mines have become tourist attractions and may even offer to set a nugget into a piece of jewelry for anyone who mines it! Gold nuggets are rare and most gold that is mined is not found in nugget form, so many of the pieces are not melted or shaped, but left exactly as is. A designer then forms a setting around the particular shape and produces a one of a kind decoration that many people who value uniqueness will be glad to purchase. Gold nugget jewelry strikes the interest of many who like natural, earthy designs such as pieces from a Western look or a Native American design.

Many jewelers that produce nugget jewelry may provide a certificate of authentication with each piece and guarantee the authentic metal properties of the gold. Just as South Africa is known for its diamond mines, so is Australia known for its gold minds. Gem stone gold jewelry from either of these countries accrues in value for years to come. The one interesting note about natures production of gems and nuggets is the fact that no one item is ever alike. This makes these pieces an especial treasure for just about anybody who knows they have a piece of jewelry that no one else in the world has. Men and women can both enjoy wearing the simplicity of gem stone gold jewelry in just about any style and any type of piece.

Pendants, belt buckles, money clips, earrings and tie tacks can all be purchased sporting an onyx, emerald, diamond or amethyst set in white or yellow gold. There are many semi-precious stones as well that have captured the interest of buyers such as the garnet which comes in every color except blue. It is not as hard as a diamond or some of the other precious stones, but is very popular and symbolizes the stone for those born in February. Its traditionally dark, red color is used in rings and necklaces and is more commonly found in men's rings.

There are many other stones that are made synthetically through a chemical process that hardens and produces reflective color very similar to what is found in authentic gem stone gold jewelry. No matter how close a synthetic stone gets to an original, however, the value and beauty is almost never the same. So, whether choosing gold nugget jewelry or gemstone pieces, check for authentication, guarantees and warranties when considering any jewelry purchase. Wearing a piece of God's natural creation can be a small reminder of the awesome, creative power that He possesses and the time that He has taken to form something so beautiful.

24K Gold Jewelry

Solid gold jewelry is a very high quality precious metal that is used in many different items and pieces. This makes a great gift for loved ones in the form of a necklace, ring, earrings, watch, and other items. Precious metal of this type comes in various amounts of karats indicated somewhere on the back or the inside of the piece. 18k, 14k, and 12k are only made up of a portion of gold with other metals. A 14k piece is only made up of about 60% while a 12k ring is made up of 50%. An 18k ring is made up of 75% and 24k gold jewelry is the most pure form at 100% gold. This is the softest of the four most common karats and is both beautiful and affordable, especially compared to other metals like platinum. Plus, there are many types and levels of quality to choose from. A person can purchase pieces both online and locally. The key is to choose a jeweler that is reputable and a product that is real and of the highest quality.

For consumers, telling the difference between the real thing and impostors can be hard, but there are some signs. An easy giveaway is a piece with no markings at all or no marking for the number of karats. However, many pieces of fake solid gold jewelry do have markings so this isn't always an indicator. Every piece should have the manufacturer's trademark. In addition to markings, the consumer must consider the retailer.

A nationally known jeweler is much more likely to carry the real thing while a pawnshop or street vendor is likely touting fake stand-ins. Many pawnshops and small local jewelers are honest businesses that do sell true 24k gold jewelry, but the individual should be careful not to get taken. Also, the consumer should find out if the jeweler has a money back guarantee or a return policy. If not, the purchase should not be completed. A person may find out the hard way that they are wearing a fake when their skin changes color in a few days. The price is also an indicator of whether or not a piece is real. Someone may find a ring for $250 in one shop and something very similar in another shop for $175. A consumer must determine what the real difference is between the pieces. This situation may just be a store trying to sell a knockoff for twice its value.

Some people may feel that the person they are buying for deserves only the best. However, not all 24k gold jewelry is appropriate for the wear and tear of everyday life. Solid gold jewelry is very durable, but coated pieces can wear out and reveal the metal underneath. This can lead to allergies with the skin. If someone is looking at purchasing an engagement ring or a wedding band, choosing solid pieces is best for durability. Since 24k is softer than lower karat weights, this will scratch up over time. This is easily fixed by taking the piece in to a jeweler routinely for polishing and repair.

Buying pieces in person is probably the best way to get the best piece for the best value. This is also the best way to judge the quality of the piece. A person can try the piece on and examine it to determine the weight, examine the quality, and closely view the color. Pieces should not have any dents or scratches, especially if being sold in a major retail store. The surface should be smooth and solid. The color of 24k gold jewelry tends to be bright yellow. The amount of karats tends to correspond with the brightness of the yellow hue. Be especially careful when purchasing small charms from kiosks, even at the local mall. They often mark the jewelry at a higher karat than it truly is.

Although buying pieces in person is very beneficial, anyone can now buy just about any type of jewels or precious metals online. Of course, the disadvantages are numerous. The individual can't try on the item or feel the weight. They can't examine the piece for scratches or dents. Sometimes they can't get their money back if not satisfied with the product. On the other hand, buying solid gold jewelry online is fast and convenient. Plus, the individual has a much wider selection to choose from on the Internet compared to visiting the local mall. If trying to locate hard-to-find 24k gold jewelry, the individual will probably have a better chance of finding products online. Auctions carry a huge selection of both new and vintage jewelry. The important thing to do when purchasing online is to make sure that the seller or online jeweler is reputable. Look out for bad reviews, and ask friends and family about recommended online jewelers.

No matter how or where a person buys their jewelry from, they need to make sure that the piece is real. Buy only from sellers and jewelers that are trusted and well known. If unsure about a jeweler, the individual can check with the Better Business Bureau about complaints against them. When buying as a gift for someone that is loved and cared for, the consumer must make sure the solid gold jewelry is the best they can get for the money. Trust instincts and if the consumer can not possibly afford what is most desired, he or she should not be afraid to settle by getting something a little less expensive. After all, gold is just another perishable, earthly thing. There are far more important things in life than this metal. "Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold."

14K Gold Jewelry

Buying 14k gold jewelry can be fun as you give the gift of precious metals or give yourself a wonderful gift; a gift that lasts a lifetime! A high quality item is always a great gift to receive. Whether you choose 14k gold jewelry or 18k gold jewelry, you should know that purchasing any expensive item is making an investment in not only the person receiving the gift, (even a gift to yourself), but an investment in fine metals that will hold their value. Before making a costly purchase perhaps a little information on gold and what constitutes karats would be helpful in determining what karat content you would want to obtain.

Pure gold is soft, much too soft to substantially hold up to wear and tear or to hold a valuable and expensive stone in a setting. Because of the softness, it is usually mixed with other metals to form a substance that is more durable and hardy. This procedure is called alloying. To alloy is to mix metals together. When gold is alloyed with other materials or metals, the content in a particular object is then measured by karats. For example, 14k jewelry means that the gold content of the jewelry equals 14 parts to 10 parts of other materials. It is the same with 18k jewelry. A piece of jewelry certified as 18k, will have 18 parts gold to 6 parts of other metal contents. The standard karat content of most jewelry is 14k, 18k and 22k.

While alloying is done for durability, some fine jewelers alloy gold with other metals to reach a desired or specific color. Higher karat content items, such as a 18k jewelry will produce a more yellow color to the finish of the product. But, when a piece of gold is alloyed with nickel, silver, or platinum, the finish can be silver, or what is more commonly known as white gold. When a jeweler or designer wants to keep costs at a minimum, 14 carat is generally the least expensive cost. The lower the karat or pure gold content, the less expensive the product.

A piece of 14k gold jewelry or 18k gold jewelry should be clearly marked, letting the buyer know that they are buying a specific quality. The content should always be marked, along with another marking for a registered trademark and where the ring or necklace has been made. Marking a piece is not required by law, but is a courtesy marking, guaranteeing the buyer that they are buying specific content of metal. Always look for a 14k gold jewelry trademark or an 18k gold jewelry trademark when purchasing finer pieces, knowing that you are buying a item that is guaranteed to have substantial precious metal content.

There is also a process called gold plating. Plating is actually 10K gold that has been electroplated to another host metal. Plated jewelry can be beautiful, but durability is an issue, as the plating eventually wears off when the piece is worn considerably. There are jewelry pieces that are gold filled and overlaid as well. Any piece that has overlay or is filled should be marked with an abbreviated term to clarify the content of the item in question.

When buying jewelry, much of what is selected will be determined by personal preference. The higher the precious metal content, the more valuable the piece. A 22k or 24k gold ring will have a beautiful finish that has a unique yellow tone, and this piece will be worth quite a bit of money. But a ring with high karat content would need to be taken care of, and never worn for daily activities. Also, precious jewels mounted would be at risk. 18k gold jewelry and 14k gold jewelry are certainly the most popular choices because of these factors.

If you are in the market for a piece of jewelry, then speak with the jeweler about their recommendations for what you want the piece for. There are occasions when a 22k or 24k piece may be just what the buyer needs or wants. There is also more information on buying fine pieces online through the Internet, and interested parties can browse the information about metal content and its value online. Gold is a valuable and precious metal. God's Word, the Bible tells us that our faith is much more valuable than gold to God. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:7)