TESTING YOUR METAL
Gold
In the UK common alloys are 9ct, also marked as .375 (375 parts
of gold per thousand) and 18ct marked as .795 (795 parts of
gold per thousand), In the US you'll also nd 10k, 14k and 21k.
Gold is often alloyed with copper, silver, palladium, zinc, or other
materials in varying quantities depending on the desired
neness needed.
White or Rose Gold
Pure Gold, graded as 24ct, has a warm golden colour and like
ne silver, is extremely soft and exible. In its pure form it
doesn't tarnish easily because it doesn't react with air and
moisture. 9ct is the least expensive gold in the UK but contains
the least amount of gold mineral. This is re ected in its price. It's
the most hard wearing of all the carats but a paler yellow. 18ct
Gold, retaining more of the warm hue of pure gold is popular for
jewellery items. The trained eye can usually spot the purity of
gold by colour without checking the hallmark.
Unlike silver, gold is measured in carats, or karats depending on
whether you're in the UK or the US.
Gold is also alloyed with other metals to change its colour. Rose
gold is mixed with copper giving it its typical pink colouring, while
white gold is mixed with zinc among other metals. Despite its
name, white gold is never bright white. It always has a grey or
yellow hue to it depending on the metals used in the alloy.
