Gold can only be formed in the heart of a star and all the gold in the world arrived from space via meteorites and asteroids. Because of this gold is a rare item and holds high value, alongside this is the natural beauty of gold which makes it perfect for crafting jewellery and an excellent meaningful gift idea.
What Is Carat in Gold Jewellery?
Carat purity in gold jewellery is the amount of pure gold in a piece. Pure gold (24ct) is often too soft to be suitable for jewellery, so it is mixed with other metals such as silver, copper or zinc to form an alloy that enhances its durability and strength.
9ct vs 18ct vs 24ct Gold: What’s the difference?
The higher the carat (24ct gold), the higher the percentage of gold and the more valuable the item and richer the yellow colour of the metal. However, it is also softer and more prone to scratching and wear.
Lower carat gold, while containing less pure gold, has higher durability, making it more suitable for wear. In New Zealand, 9ct and 18ct gold is the most commonly used in jewellery, which offers a stunning look but with added durability.
As a general rule, the higher the carat, the deeper and warmer the gold tone appears. For example, 24ct gold has a naturally rich yellow colour, compared to 9ct gold jewellery items which will have a paler colour, as it contains less pure gold.
Understanding Carat stamps like ‘375’ and ‘750’
Understanding carat stamps is the key to knowing how much pure gold is in any piece of jewellery. These small stamps are usually found in discreet areas, like the inside of a ring band or the back of a pendant bale.
Jewellery Care Tips to Make it Last
Wear advice for your Gold Jewellery
To keep your jewellery looking its best, here are a few helpful hints:
Best Practices for Cleaning and Storage
Tips for cleaning your gold jewellery:
How to best store your gold jewellery:
The importance of buying from a trusted jeweller
At Pascoes The Jewellers, we are committed to providing high quality gold jewellery to add to your collection. With over 115 years of experience, we are committed to providing quality jewellery and customer service to ensure you have a great shopping experience.
Our company has longstanding relationships with trusted manufactures and craftspeople all around the world and this allows us to source the widest range of gold jewellery in New Zealand.
Shop our wide range of gold jewellery in one of our 41 stores nationwide, or shop conveniently online from the comfort of your own home.