Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Black Hills Gold Watch

Black Hills gold jewelry is thought to have been originally created by Henri LeBeauld, a French goldsmith during the 1870s. It is said he dreamed about the characteristic leaves, grape clusters, vines and filigree designs now so well known throughout the world

Black Hills Jewelry should be manufactured in the Black Hills of South Dakota in order to be called Black Hills Gold Jewelry. And this would apply to a Black Hills gold watch also.

The Black Hills are a very small mountain range in western South Dakota extending into the State of Wyoming. It is considered sacred by many of the native Indians of the region and described, rather accurately as, “island of trees in a sea of grass." From a distance the hills appear black due to the heavy density of trees covering them.

A Black Hills gold watch should show the same style and design as any other Black Hills jewelry and would have some ornate design such as grape clusters or vine leave, perhaps even a filigree of some sort.

When buying a Black Hills gold watch one should make sure you establish that it is indeed manufactured in the region. It is illegal to state that a piece of jewelry, or anything for that matter, is made at the Black Hills and qualifies as such if it is not. Just as one can get fake Omega™ watches one can get fake or ‘pretend’ Black Hills gold watches.

A certificate of authenticity would probably be one of the first things you would want to see.

A Black Hills gold watch is usually very striking and beautiful. It is a pleasure to own and use provided it is well looked after. Best of all a Black Hills gold watch need not be expensive!

Sunday, May 28, 2006

22k Indian Gold Jewellery

22k Indian gold jewellery is probably the most popular of Indian gold jewellery.

There are many types of this jewellery from various areas of India.

The trend in the South of India is towards the antique and old favorites in style. A typical example of such trends is the traditional Mullai Mottu Malai necklace, which has replicas of jasmine buds all around it.

Bengal is known for its craftsmanship of exquisite and intricate gold jewellery with the traditional East Indian filigree and abstract designs. The art of wirework like filigree, is over 500 years old and some truly beautiful designs can be found with the floral and leafy designs.

The traditional chains of coins flowing from the neck to the waist is still very popular and continues to be a symbol of status and wealth. The Bollywood movie, 'The Devdas’, is an excellent example of the ostentatious and resplendent jewellery of the region. Highly ornate with impeccable handcrafting techniques is the trademark of such jewellery.

The western Indian jewellery, by contrast, is unique in that it is more diverse than the other areas and more prone to 'mixing' styles. Western jewellery is very unique to the region. An example is Rajasthan jewellery which tends to be a mix of the traditional for the region with a Persian influence. Included also is the traditional bindi, worn in the center parting of the hair. Flower shape pins and hair combs are also a strong part of traditional jewellery in Rajasthan

The Gujarat, quite different again, is more known for the distinctive disc earrings that stretch the women’s ears almost to breaking point. The Gujarat jewellery is also known for being jewellery for almost every other part of the body.

The Maharashtrian jewellery is more obvious when you see it. The traditional ring in the nose and many people will be familiar with this style of Indian gold jewellery in movies.

22k Indian gold jewellery is very popular not only with the Indians but also with western cultures now keen to take up this fascinating type of jewellery.

Friday, May 26, 2006

Gold Pendant

The Perth Mint, Australia, will produce from the end of May 2006, a very nice Gold Pendant called the Oriana Gold Bar.

These come in 1 gram, 2.5 gram, 5 gram and 10 gram bars and each bar comes with an 18 carat gold frame enabling it to be worn as an inspirational jewellery piece.

These bars are 99.9 percent pure gold and depict the Oriana, the golden haired goddess who’s name is very often associated with Queen Elizabeth the first.

The other side of the bar bears the words 'Perth Mint' and 'Australia', as well as its weight and purity. The bar also depicts The Perth Mint's swan logo.

Each pendant comes presented in a delightful jewellery pouch with a draw-string.

The Perth Mint also sell an extensive range of gold chains, ideal for holding the pendants and an excellent range of gold bracelets to compliment the pendant.

You can find out more at Gold Pendant

The Oriana Gold Pendant is an ideal way to own some gold and the extensive range makes it easy for most people to own a gold bar within their budget.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Gold Diamond Bracelet

A gold diamond bracelet can look absolutely wonderful and really enhance one's looks or the clothes one wears.

It is important however that some guidelines are kept in mind when purchasing and looking after gold diamond bracelets.

Firstly the diamonds in a gold diamond bracelet can range in price from a few hundred up to many thousands of dollars so the first thing is to establish your budget. How much do you want to spend on a gold diamond bracelet?

This will give you the range, type, quantity and quality of diamonds you will have in your bracelet.

Go for the best quality diamonds you can within your price range. The gold bracelet will not cost as much as the diamonds and you should go for a mid range gold bracelet such as 18 karat to 22 karat. Less and it is not worth so much and with the other metals can deteriorate. More and you will have a bracelet that can wear away more quickly as gold is a soft and malleable metal.

The diamonds should be in a claw or good setting not glued in. When cleaning a glued in diamond setting it is possible for the glue to deteriorate or react with cleaning fluids and the diamond come away and even get lost.

Ensure you get an independent certificate of appraisal for the diamond or diamonds. Do not take the word of the jeweller or dealer on the quality of the diamond.

When cleaning make sure you use only warm soapy water and not chemicals such as bleach. These can react with the metals the gold is mixed with and cause it to oxidize and turn it black. The bracelet should be thoroughly rinsed to get rid of any residue soap and then completely dried.

Diamonds can cut and scratch other jewellery so it is prudent to keep it stored separately from other jewellery.

Following the above guidelines there is no reason why your gold diamond bracelet should not last you a lifetime and give you great pleasure!

Monday, May 22, 2006

14k Gold Ring

A 14k gold ring is likely to be worn most of the time so it should be more durable and hard wearing than a 22k or 24k gold ring.

A 14k gold ring has 14 of 24 parts gold making it 58.3% gold with silver, nickel, copper and other metals added to make it long lasting.

When selecting a 14k gold ring it is important to ensure that the ring is well made and any setting that holds a stone is of good quality.

Cleaning a 14k gold ring is important. Using incorrect chemicals can cause the other metals contained in the ring to oxidize and turn the ring black.

Do not use any bleach to clean a ring. Warm soapy water is best and over a bowel, not the sink.
After washing ensure your ring is well rinsed afterwards to get any soapy residue out from the setting or any crevasses in the ring. Then you need to completely dry the ring so there is no water to oxidize or cause any rust from the other metals in the ring.

Storing the ring the correct way is important too. All jewellery should be stored in separate areas or compartments so they do not rub against each other and scratch each other. This is neccesary if you have diamonds or other gems as these can very easily scratch a gold ring and ruin it.

Pick a ring according to your budget, taste and the style you would like to display. Perhaps even select a ring as a fashion accessory or to make a fashion statement.

In any event, picking the right ring for you is important and ensuring it is well looked after will ensure your 14k gold ring will last a lifetime!

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Geneva Gold Watch

The term Geneva or Geneve as relating to a watch is very much a generic term.

Geneva is a city in Switzerland and considered the home of fine watches. For centures the very best watches have been made here.

No one company can own the brand name Geneve. It is really only identified by the quality of craftsmanship and manufacture. A true Geneve watch is considered true by virtue of having the finest movement, diamonds and gold contained therein.

Virtually all watch movements are made by a Swiss company called ETA. This is regardless of the various features some movements have. The ETA web site Geneva gold watch gives fascinating information for those interested.

A good quality Geneva gold watch should contain a movement by ETA, a watchcase made with German technology and the actual case and band manufactured and assembled in Italy.

Geneve watches usually cost several thousand dollars to buy but with the increase in dealers online and increased competition, these prices are being gradually reduced.

There are a number of important points to keep in mind when buying a Geneva or Geneve gold watch.

As well as the genuine Geneve watch there are many cheap copies or versions around selling for a fraction of the price. In these copies it is likely the gold is plated and not full gold. Also the movement is probably not a ETA movement but something poorly made elsewhere. Of course if you want a pretend copy then you can pick and choose from a wide selection available. Such a watch would not have any investment potential but simply be purchased for the looks and affordability only.

If you are seeking a genuine Geneve watch with accuracy and all the trimmings such as diamond inserts etc then you will need to ensure that you are buying from a dealer or jeweller who is genuine and will sell you what you want.

Unless you are experienced in purchasing gold watches it is a really good idea to avoid auctions. The exception is actually going physically to a deceased estate auction where sometimes there is jewellery for sale including antique or old watches. These watches are almost sure to be genuine and have, at least, an antique value over and above the value of the gold in the watch.

The first thing however, when picking a Geneve Watch is to ensure you select a jewellery house that sells the genuine article. Then you can select from the range offered. The cost of a genuine Geneve gold watch is likely to be in the thousands.

Having selected the watch you like, you need to ensure that it comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity and the value stated on that certificate for insurance purposes.

A good quality Geneva gold watch would be a great watch to have and will hold its value provided it is looked after and cared for.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Lady Gold Watch

A lady's gold watch is usually smaller than a man’s gold watch. Which seems to be more a hang over from the Victorian days when ladies were considered more ‘delicate’.

Functionally there is no reason why a lady cannot have a watch just as big or ‘chunky’ as the next guy.

It is really a matter of taste and style. A ladies gold watch might tend to be more stylish and decorative than a man's but the essential ingredients to the watch remain the same.

Probably the first point when buying a ladies watch is, what sort of budget do you have in mind? When that is established then you can browse the types of watches available within that budget range. It is a good idea to look in the top of your budget range and to keep away from ‘discount’ watches. They are usually not, in fact, discount but expensive for what they are, reduced in price to what they should be. So you may not be getting the value you think you are.

Pick a good quality Ladies gold watch dealer. Good due diligence, or study will help here and it will make all the difference in getting a good watch for your money.

A watch that is 18k would be a good choice. 22 or 24 karat and the gold will be too soft for everyday use and will wear away quickly. The same with gold plated watches. After some years the gold will wear thin and you will see the metal underneath.

A 14k or less gold watch will most likely not look as good and, although cheaper and will last longer , will not be worth as much.

Your choice would need to be based on what you want from a watch. Some watches are everyday watches and bought more for functionality than looks. Others make a fashion statement and are worn as an accessory and only occasionally. You would need to decide, when purchasing a ladies gold watch, which applies most.

It is also a good idea to find a watch repairer who can look after your watch, ensure it stays clean and the battery, if it uses one, is suitable and long lasting.

If you keep the above points in mind when buying a ladies gold watch you will be sure to have a watch you enjoy and will get great pleasure from.

18k Gold Jewellery

18k gold jewellery is possibly the best gold jewellery you can get.

Although 22 and 24 karat gold jewellery is more popular in Asian nations it tends to be too soft and malleable and is damaged easily, especially when worn extensively. 14k and lower of course does not have as much gold and therefore is worth less.

18k gold jewellery is about 75 percent gold with the balance of other metals such as silver, platinum, copper, nickel and other metals to improve the hardness and durability of the gold. It looks better than lower karat gold and has that great gold ‘look’ which is valued so much.

18k gold jewellery maintenance requires care as you are dealing with other metals that can tarnish and react with the various chemicals that 18k gold jewellery will come into contact with. Such chemicals as hair sprays, perfumes, body sweat and others can all affect the gold jewellery.

It pays therefore to keep a regular cleaning regimen to ensure that your jewellery is kept in the best condition. Washing in warm soapy water over a bowl and rinsing well will keep it sparkling clean. A thorough drying will ensure that the metals do not react with the water and turn black. Do not clean them in bleach as that can oxidize the metals and turn them black also.

Gold jewellery should be stored when not in use in separate compartments so they do not brush against each other. Scratches on gold by diamonds especially can ruin a treasured piece as well as reduce its value.

If you are deciding what gold jewellery to buy 18k gold jewellery is probably the happy medium for the reasons described above. It is also not too expensive and will last a lifetime if cared for correctly. 18k gold jewellery is the best choice for general use gold jewellery.

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Italian Gold Jewellery

Italian goldsmiths are well known throughout the world for their unique Italian gold jewellery. Italian style is reflected in Italian gold jewellery.

Some of the best designs and styles that consistently win awards are Italian jewellery designs.

There are many sites that offer Italian gold jewellery so it pays to do some due diligence when seeking that special piece to compliment one's fashion and taste.

Italian Gold Jewellery comes in a variety of styles and types. Brooches, necklaces, rings and pendants are but a few. There are the famous Italian fashion houses which feature their own ranges of Italian Gold Jewellery.

Such fashion names as:
Giorgio Armani
Renato Balestra
Luisa Beccaria
Benetton
Laura Biagiotti
Blumarine
Brioni
Byblos
Cavalli
Clara Centinaro
Enrico Coveri
Raffaella Curiel
Dolce & Gabbana
Erreuno
Etro
Fendi
Fendissime
Salvatore Ferragamo
Gianfranco Ferré
Fiorucci
Sorelle Fontana
Antonio Fusco
Nazzareno Gabrielli
Gattinoni
Genny
Romeo Gigli
Gucci
Istante
Krizia
Lancetti
André Laug
Les Copains
Angelo Litrico
Maska
Max Mara
Missoni
Moschino
Prada
Emilio Pucci
Sarli
Mila Schön
Luciano Soprani
Nanni Strada
Trussardi
Valentino
Mario Valentino
Gianni Versace
Egon Von Furstenberg
To name but a few! and it is possible to look each up and maybe find something that suits your style. Not all will have gold jewellery as they are primarily clothes designers but some will. If you like a particular Italian style then it seems a good idea to select the jewellery to go with it.

When selecting a piece of Italian Gold Jewellery probably the first thing to take into consideration is your budget. Just how much do you want to spend? Then browse the fashion houses to see what you like. Italian Gold Jewellery is a good start to start.

You can do your due diligence here as there are many other articles on this site to help you select the Italian gold jewellery that helps you make the fashion statement you want.

India Gold Jewellery

India gold jewellery has been around for hundreds of years. Indian culture and tradition values and places a high importance on owning and having gold jewellery. Indian Gold jewellery is handed down through generations. It has been used for religious to social and purely aesthetic purposes. Jewellery styles differ from one area of India to another. For example fine silver filigree work can be found in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh but in Jaipur the art of enameling is more popular.

There is also jewellery for every part of the body. Jewellery and ornaments are created for Gods and animals as well as humans. Rings, bracelets, necklaces and other gold adornments each have their own significance.

Indian gold jewellery is also usually quite ornate and the designs are all more than plain.

The gold used tends to be more 22k and 24 karat gold and it is not often you will find anything less in karat, such as 18 or 14 karat. Indians value their gold very highly.

With Indian gold it is very important that one takes great care as, being either pure or almost pure gold it is very soft and malleable and can be easily damaged or scratched.

Goldsmiths in India have an artistry, skill and precision unmatched by many other nations. This skill has won them accolades from the various parts of the world.
In small towns and cities of India, the goldsmith performs all the processes from A to Z involved in producing a finished piece. In cities, however the task is more specialized.

India jewelry is exported around the world and is available from many gold dealers.

If you are fortunate enough to get Indian gold jewellery with its 22k and above gold content, you will probably be very pleased with the jewellery and will enjoy it for many years to come.

Friday, May 12, 2006

White Gold Pendant

A white gold pendant is made of gold that has been alloyed or mixed with other metals such as silver and platinum. The quantity of gold will be reflected in the karat range. 14k white gold will be just over 50 percent gold and 18 karat around 75 percent. Often the white gold is covered with rhodium to help protecting and increase it’s durability.

White gold therefore tends to be harder and more durable than yellow gold. You are unlikely to get white gold above 18 karat as then it would not have a sufficient percentage of other metals to give it that white look.

When choosing a white gold pendant it is important to pick the best possible piece in your budget range. Selecting the cheapest will not get the best buy and discounted jewellery is not always the best option in the long run.

Select for your taste and a style that which will suit you best. This might mean a pendant has a diamond or a pearl for example. Ensure you pick the best and have the gem or pearl, if you are having one, independently appraised to ensure you are getting what you pay for.

Find out about diamonds and pearls or opals or whatever gem you are going to use. It is always a good idea to know what you are buying and don’t simply trust the jeweller to guide you.

Cleaning the pendant is important and warm soapy water followed by a good rinse is the best way to keep your white gold pendant in sparkling condition. Thoroughly dry the pendant and store away from other jewellery when not in use.

A white gold pendant can look pretty impressive under the right circumstances so keep in mind the above and you will have a treasure for life.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Gold Toe Ring

The history of the gold toe ring goes back to ancient times and has been popular in India at wedding ceremonies for many years. There has even been a tribe in Africa who used toe rings as a symbol of marriage when worn on the big toe.

As well as the hippies in the 60’s gold toe rings are now popular and there are many varieties available.

A gold toe ring is different to an ordinary ring in that it is not closed. As in the picture to the left, gold toe rings are open so that they can be easily slipped on and off the toe.

Firstly one would pick the ring that best suits the size and shape of the toe. Also the size of your budget will determine if you have any gems set in the ring such as diamonds for example. If you do ensure that you get a proper independent appraisal of the gemstone. Also get a guarantee that the ring is genuine gold and what carat it is.

Gold toe rings require the same care and attention any other jewellery needs. This means regularly cleaning the rings, more so for toe rings as they will attract more dirt and foreign matter being so close to the ground. A good wash in warm soapy water in a bowl, not over the sink. There is nothing worse that losing a ring down the plug hole. Do not use bleach as it can corrode the metals which the gold is alloyed or mixed with and turn it black. Then, rinse well in running water to get all the soap out of any joins or crevasses. The ring should be thoroughly dried and stored when not in use.

Provided that you keep in mind the above guidelines you should enjoy your gold toe ring for many years to come.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

14 gold kt jewelry

14 gold kt jewelry is probably the most common of all jewellery. Containing just over 50 percent gold, the other metals are usually silver, copper, bronze and zinc. It is durable enough to be worn for long periods without wearing away yet contains enough gold to look nice as a piece of jewelry.

The k, or karat, in gold jewelry refers to the amount of gold present within the piece. 24 kt would be pure gold and 22kt very close to. As the kt diminishes so does the gold content. 9kt is probably the lowest that still has any appreciable amount of gold in the piece.

14kt jewelry, being hardened with other metals, is probably the best gold to use for jewelry in the colder countries. In warmer countries one would get as close to 24 kt as possible as the body sweats a lot more and this affects the other metals that have been mixed or alloyed with the gold. They will react with the chemicals in the body's perspiration and this will turn the piece black over time. One of the reasons why people in hot countries prefer pure gold.

In colder countries however 18 and 14 kt gold jewelry are quite suitable.

Cleaning 14kt is quite easy. Warm soapy water and rinsed really well. Then thoroughly dried before putting the piece away. Gold jewelry should be stored separately from other pieces. It is easy to scratch, especially if there are gems or diamonds in the settings.

Choosing 14kt gold jewelry is an important step. 14k gold jewelry is not expensive so budget is usually not an issue. Selecting the right piece to wear either on a regular daily basis or for that special occasion requires care and thought. When at the jewelers always ensure you get to see the piece in natural light.

Keeping in mind the above will ensure you get a 14kt gold jewelry piece you like and will enjoy for years to come.

Monday, May 08, 2006

White Gold Diamond Engagement Ring

A white gold diamond engagement ring can look absolutely marvelous on the finger of the one you love.

The ring, being white gold, tends to enhance and match the bridal gown also when it is worn.

A white gold diamond engagement ring should last a lifetime so care should be taken in choosing just the right ring and in looking after it over the coming years.

How much you spend of course depends on your budget. Two months salary is a good guideline for buying engagement rings. It is likely that the diamond will cost more than the ring, usually 90 percent of the total cost of the diamond ring. You need to select what you can afford in diamonds when costing the ring. Brushing up on diamonds and how to choose a diamond is important also.

White gold is a good choice for an engagement ring as it is much harder than yellow gold. It is usually alloyed or mixed with platinum, silver and other metals and sometimes even has a coating of rhodium also to improve its durability.

The diamond setting should be a claw setting and with an open bottom so a jewellery can see the bottom of the diamond. This makes it easier to value a diamond more accurately and provide a proper and professional appraisal.

Check the above with the jeweller when you are choosing an engagement ring.

Maintaining the ring is important also. Dirt can get wedged in the setting and under the diamond. The ring should be washed in warm soapy water and rinsed thoroughly. Do this over a bowl and not over the sink. Dry it thoroughly and when not in use store it separately from other jewellery so the diamond does not scratch other pieces.

Provided you keep in mind the above it is likely you will have a wonderful white gold diamond engagement ring that will give great pleasure.

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Antique Gold Ring

An antique gold ring can be a very valuable piece of jewellery. Many antique gold rings are passed down in the family but sometimes end up in an estate sale and often then you can get a good bargain when the estate auction occurs.

It is important when buying an antique gold ring to establish the properties of the ring. The amount of gold, whether it is a 14 carat, 18carat, 22 or even 24 carat ring and the weight will give you a good idea of the value of the ring. Of course sometimes there can be a ‘antique’ value as well. Rarity and age can increase the value of a ring.

The condition of the ring is also important. Also how many stones or gems are in the ring. What sort of gems are they, their weight and clarity makes a difference to the overall value of the ring. The size of any stone and the type of setting can make a difference to the price.

It is important also to get an antique gold ring professionally appraised and valued not just for insurance purposes but also to establish a value for possible resale later down the track.

Cleaning antique gold rings should be done with care. Warm soapy water and well rinsed and dried will keep the ring in good condition. Clean your ring over a bowl and not over the sink. You don’t want it to slip through your fingers and fall down the plug hole!

Gold jewellery should be stored separately and not tossed together in the same jewellery box. Diamonds and other gems can scratch gold which is a soft metal, especially in the high carat range such as 22 and 24 carats. A scratch clearly seen on a antique gold ring will decrease the value and, perhaps more importantly, the look of the piece.

Keeping in mind the above there is no reason why a good quality antique gold ring will not give great satisfaction for many years.

Friday, May 05, 2006

14kt Gold Anklets

Of course 14kt gold anklets are not new. People have been wearing gold anklets for years. Unmarried Indian women particularly have been wearing gold anklets for hundreds of years.

The main purpose is to draw attention to the ankles and feet, which have often been considered areas of great beauty and appealing to males in many cultures.

Most gold anklets are worn on the right ankle. As well as gold, other substances including rubber, plastic and rope are sometimes worn.

Now it has become fashionable in some circles to wear gold anklets and so some attention should be given to this unique way of wearing gold jewellery.

Firstly of course one would look for and buy those gold pieces that enhance the ankles and feet best. This would depend very much on the shape and look of the feet. The gold anklet should also compliment the type of footwear being worn.

14k gold is ideal as it looks nice, is not too expensive and is relatively hard wearing. 22k and 24k gold anklets would be too soft and liable to wear away or get distorted if worn too much.

14k gold anklets should be cleaned regularly in soapy water, rinsed thoroughly and then put away to dry. They should be stored when not in use separately from other jewellery so they are not scratched or caught up in other jewellery.

When they are looked after, 14kt gold anklets can make a fine addition to one’s jewellery collection and make an interesting fashion statement as well as looking attractive.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

22k Gold Jewellery

22k gold jewellery can be considered an investment in gold as it contains 91.6% pure gold. 22k gold jewellery is more expensive than the usual 14k and 10k and not so hard wearing. However, it is much more beautiful and has a deeper gold hue close to pure gold.

Whereas 24 k is 999.9 percent pure gold, 22k is 916.6 fine and contains a small amount of silver or copper to assist in the hardness.

22k gold jewellery requires, therefore, a little more care if you are to keep it in the same condition in which you bought it. You could, for the purposes of care, regard 22k gold jewellery as 24 k gold jewellery. It will need the same amount of care and attention.

Firstly it not advisable to wear it constantly or for any great lengths of time. It would not be an ‘everyday’ piece. Perhaps for going out to dinner or some special occasion or function. Gold is a malleable and soft metal and subject to knocks, scraps, scratches and chemicals such as you find on and around the body. Hair sprays, perfumes, cleaning mixes, residues on clothes, soap, make up, skin ointments and sweat are just some of the chemicals that can have an effect on gold.

When you have finished wearing your 22k gold jewellery it is a good idea to clean the piece and store it safely.

Clean your gold jewellery with warm soapy water. A soft cloth or, if necessary, a very soft old toothbrush is useful for this. Wash it over a bowl, not the sink. You don’t want any of it ending up down the plug hole!

Do not use a chemical cleaner such as bleach. It will oxidize the metal and turn it black. You will find yourself trying to clean the effects the bleach creates. If it is a difficult piece take it to a trusted jeweller to clean.

Rinse it well with running water. Get every last bit of soap out, especially from any clasp, claw or hinge. If any soap is left it may cause a chemical reaction.

Sometimes clasps and hinges are made from another metal and can rust if left wet or suffer a chemical reaction to the water. Drying the piece after rinsing is very important. A gentle blow dryer is good as it will evaporate any water left and you will not need to rub and possibly scratch the gold.

Store your 22k gold jewellery separately so it does not get scratched by other pieces, particularly diamond settings.By following the above well, your 22k gold jewellery will retain it’s beauty for many years to come.

22k gold jewellery is a great investment in gold with the added enjoyment of being able to wear it.

Monday, May 01, 2006

Discount Gold Jewellery

Discount gold jewellery sounds like a bargain but there are a few things to be aware of with this type of jewellery.

Firstly the gold content is much less than usual. This is generally advertised and it will be stated that it is 9 or 10 carat gold but this is a very small amount of gold mixed with other metals or ‘alloyed’, as it is called, and this is why it is so cheap.

Sometimes discount gold jewellery is really another metal that has been gold plated. You can even get gold plated mint coins.

The gold in plated gold is not always pure gold (except in gold coins) and the carat weight is often not stated so you can be sure it is very small. The plating may be very thin also and wear away easily.

Some discount gold jewellery looks very nice and it is possible to get some tasteful and attractive bargains if you are prepared to spend some time searching for that special piece.

It is important to make sure you know what you are getting. How is the piece described? Is there any information left out? What carat gold is it? How much does it weight?

Check out All about Gold Carats to find out how much gold is in different types of gold jewellery.

Compare the price to other similar gold jewellery which is not ‘discount' gold jewellery. You might be surprised to find which is the better quality.

Of course your choice can depend on a number of issues. Budget, taste, the need for a particular type of item and many other factors need to be taken into account. It may just suit your needs for a particular occasion.

Discount gold jewellery may sound attractive but be aware that you will always get what you pay for and also you will not get what you don’t pay for!