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.