Unlike platinum and silver gold is typically combined with other metals.
This is done for several reasons. The most important is that in a pure state gold
is too soft and malleable to be of service.
To strengthen the alloy other elements are added. These metals are typically
copper, silver, nickel, and palladium.
When we talk about the purity of the alloy we typically talk about karat. 24
karat is pure gold. 18 karat is 18/24 or 75% pure gold. 14 karat is 14/24 or
58.3 % pure gold. 10 karat is 10/24 or 41.67% pure gold. In the
United States an gold alloy can be as low as 10 karat and still be considered gold.
In the United Kingdom and Canada 9 karat gold jewelry is often sold.
The color of the metal often gives us a hint of the karat of the gold. The
stronger the yellow the higher the concentration of gold. An 18 karat ring
typically appears noticeably more yellow than a 14 karat ring.
Gold jewelry is often manufactured in other colors than yellow. In addition to
yellow, gold can appear pink, white or green. These other colors are the result of
combining other elements with the gold.
14 karat yellow gold is the product of gold, and equal parts of silver and copper.
14 karat white gold is the product of gold, nickel in large concentrations and copper.
An new 14 karat white gold formula substitutes palladium for the nickel.
14 karat green gold is the product of gold, silver in large concentrations and copper.
14 karat rose gold is the product of gold, copper in large concentrations and silver.
Palladium
Designers are experimenting with the use of palladium, a member of the platinum
group.
The palladium is combined with sterling silver and copper to make it more malleable.
(50% palladium, 40% silver and 10%)
Tarnish Resistant Silver
A patented alloy recently developed is claimed by the manufacturer
to be tarnish resistant. The alloy contains germanium, which is commonly used in
fiber optic equipment. |
In 1988 gold reached a high of $313 and a low of $273 per oz.
Silver's high was $7.28 and low was $4.72.
Platinum's high was $429 and low was $334.
Gold productions cost in 1998 averaged $206 per ounce. |
