Gold

Figure 1. How to distinguish brass from gold

Buying jewelry "by hand" or in dubious places is a huge risk. The risk of being left without money and without jewelry. It can be especially embarrassing if the ring, a rare coin or earrings are intended as a gift. So, do not ignore jewelry salons and buy "jewelry" from unfamiliar people. And even acquaintances should not - they too may not be aware that they own a fake. Especially since brass, which is often used to make fake jewelry, is visually very similar to gold. Well, and if you can not resist the temptation, and the price of the coveted jewelry is just "finger-licking", then folk ways will come to the rescue. Here we will tell you how to distinguish brass from gold at home.

How to distinguish gold from brass

To begin with, let's understand how brass differs from gold in principle. Gold is an alloy of precious metal and ligature of copper, silver and other materials. Brass is also an all…

Gold is a metal whose value is indisputable, and gold jewelry is prestigious, insanely beautiful and desirable. However, not always and not everyone has the opportunity to buy new sparkling earrings or a fashionable ring in a jewelry store. In this case, the first thought of going to the pawnshop. But most people immediately reject it, because there is a stereotype that someone else's jewelry can somehow harm them.

Sometimes, however, there is no choice - a person has to become the owner of someone else's jewelry, because they received them by inheritance or as a gift from older relatives. We know for sure that many people have a laconic, large ring with an oval synthetic ruby or a massive "bismarck" chain with a powerful carabiner - family heirlooms in a cherished box. And again the same question arises - is it worth wearing them? Let's understand whether you can wear someone else's gold from a pawnshop or inherited.

Other people's go…

The wedding day is approaching. And there's so much to do: order this, pick up that, discuss... buy... Stop. And the wedding rings are not forgotten? That's the most important thing! What are the criteria? Design, size, and proof. Oh, and color, of course. So, what color gold to choose? The grade 333 or 375, 500, 585 or 750? For those who have ever been to a jewelry store, this question needs no explanation. Of course, we are talking about the grade, which means the content of gold itself in the product. The highest grade - 999 - means that the alloy contains 99.9% of the precious metal. But you will not find rings, bracelets, earrings and pendants of 999 grade on sale. The thing is that pure gold is a very soft, plastic material, and a ring made of it cannot be worn every day - even fingernails will leave scratches on the surface. Only investment and banking products - bars and coins - are made of 999 grade metal. For jewelry, gold alloys and ligatures are used - metals ad…

Gold assay is a marking that indicates the ratio of pure gold and impurities in the alloy. The fact is that 100% gold is a very soft material. So much so that it can be crushed with fingers. Therefore, in jewelry and a number of other industries use an alloy of gold with ligature (additives). As a ligature can be used: Copper. It gives the gold a hardness and a red tint. This variant of the alloy was especially popular in the USSR, the so-called "red gold". Zinc. Increases the fluidity of the material, at a certain percentage in the alloy can give an emerald hue. Platinum. Increases the melting point, gives gold a special glow. Silver. Increases casting properties, gives hardness to products and makes gold lighter in color. Nickel. Makes the alloy harder, protects against corrosion. Gives a lighter color to gold. Palladium. Increases the melting point, makes the metal more ductile. The alloy is characterized by a light shade. Cadmium. Increases casting properties…

Gold and silver are some of the most popular jewelry metals. Both are used in the form of alloys, as they are too soft and malleable in their pure form. Gold, which is originally yellow in color, turns white due to the addition of silver, platinum, palladium and nickel. Products made of it are extremely similar to silver. Therefore, the owner of a piece of jewelry often faces the question - is it white gold or cheaper silver? We tell you how to distinguish white gold from silver. Visual differences Jewelry made of white gold has a warmer shade. Silver has a steely, cold color. The shine of gold is brighter, lacquered. Silver is more matte, dull. The easiest way to notice the differences in halftones and shine is to put the products side by side. Pay attention! If a jewelry piece has a rhodium-plated coating, visually both silver and gold will look the same! Marking Gold and silver jewelry must necessarily have a hallmark. It is usually located on a small, inconspicuous area: …