Gold was the first noble metal discovered by man, and today it has found application in many areas. Gold has been the most successful market in the jewelry industry. At the same time, there is a gradation of the value of the metal. Every woman, receiving a jewelry gift from a man, will definitely pay attention to the fineness or carats. This indicator informs about the amount of pure precious metal used to make jewelry. How can one learn to evaluate the purity of the alloy and quality by the mark on the product?
Meaning and origin of the word "carat". Composition of gold in bullion and consumer goods
The word carat translated from Latin means “carob.” Its origin is Eastern countries. The value of the plant is represented by its seeds, which became the prototype of the unit for measuring the purity of gold. Previously, they were used to measure the weight of expensive stones.
Carat of gold
This valuation method was not the most reliable, so traders from different countries decided to equate 1 carat to 205 mlg. Later, the established weight was reduced for convenience to 200 mg. And today, this measuring system remains the only one for assessing precious stones throughout the world.
Over time, traders began to value not only stones as valuable seeds. The gold carat allowed us to determine the quality of rings, earrings, bracelets and other jewelry. The maximum gold content according to the grading system is 24 carats.
This is exactly what is indicated on bank bullion. However, pure gold is very soft and unsuitable for creating various products. Therefore, impurities are added to it to improve consumer qualities. This is where the carat value of the products becomes important, showing the optimal ratio of gold and alloy.
Which countries love 10K?
The Americans love gold with the 10K mark most of all, because it is there that they produce it in record quantities. Products with this marking are most often worn by American women, and the shades of jewelry alloys can be the most amazing, even black.
In addition to the United States, residents of Canada and Great Britain, China and Turkey afford this kind of jewelry, although in these countries such a mark is not as popular as in America. The average cost of a 10K alloy ring inlaid with precious stones rarely exceeds $180.
Gold purity grading systems
In the history of the jewelry industry, there were 4 systems for assessing the purity of a gold alloy: lot, spool, metric, and carat. However, today only the last 2 are relevant, with the help of which the amount of precious metal can be measured.
Metric system and samples
Russia and some post-Soviet states use a metric system for assessing metal purity. According to it, the sample shows the amount of pure gold in 1000 parts of the alloy. In other words, how many milligrams of gold does 1 gram of alloy contain?
The following acceptable indicators have been approved: 375, 500, 585, 750, 900, 916, 958, 999. However, the range is not limited to these samples, they are only frequently used.
Stamps on precious items
Carat system. Carat value
This system includes the following values: 9, 12, 14, 18, 22, 23, 24. 24 karat gold is considered pure, containing a minimum of impurities. The carat of gold shows the amount of pure metal in the alloy relative to 24 carats. The system is used by world jewelry experts to determine the percentage of pure metal in products.
In the USA and European countries, the purity of only gold alloys is measured in this way; it is not applicable to other metals.
Spool system of Tsarist Russia
For more than two centuries, Russia used a spool measurement system to assess the purity of precious metals. With its help, silver and gold were assessed, comparing them to the number of spools. And only in 1927 it was replaced by metric measurement.
The spool unit, like the metric one, helps determine the ratio of pure precious metal and alloy. Its basis is 96 units - spools. Precious metal 999 corresponds to 96 spools.
To convert the spool valves to the usual value you need to: divide the spool indicator by 96 and multiply by 1000.
Ingots 999.9 fine
What type of gold is best to buy?
The difference between 10, 14 and 18 karat gold is very difficult to see with the naked eye, and most people simply cannot tell them apart. Ultimately, the best type of gold to buy comes down to your personal needs and preferences.
These are great options for engagement rings, but my personal choice would be 14k gold as it offers a good balance between cost and ease of use. And, if your budget allows, 18k gold is a slightly more luxurious option.
More detailed information can be found on the website
Differences Between 10k vs 14k vs 18k Gold (Karat)
Carat and fineness of standard gold on the world market
The carat rate for valuing jewelry is used by America, Great Britain, Switzerland and other European countries.
The gold standard on the world market is considered to be 24 carats. Every day, the price of gold is determined on the precious metals exchange precisely in relation to bank bullion, which consists of 99.99% of the precious metal. The purity of such gold reserves is 999.
Using a simple example of calculating the ligature, you can understand how the standard and carats relate. To find out how much ligature the alloy contains, you need to subtract the number of carats on the stamp from 24k. 12k jewelry uses 12k other metals. This simple translation allows us to equate carats to a metric indicator, in which 1000 grams (24k) consists of 500 grams of gold (12k) and 500 grams of alloy (12k). Accordingly, 12k = sample 500.
What should you pay attention to?
Purchasing high purity karat gold will be the smartest investment. If necessary, you can sell the ring or chain at a higher price, since the price of gold has not fallen for many years.
On the other hand, for those who value primarily the aesthetic component, without intending to invest money in jewelry, numerous alloys may be suitable. The use of non-ferrous metal will allow you to create uniquely beautiful floral or fantasy compositions.
The strength of the alloys will allow you to make the finest cuts of the product and decorate it with filigree carvings. The combination of rose or green gold with a similar gemstone shade looks very beautiful. In any case, when purchasing an item from a jeweler, find out about the content of precious metals, the quality of the stones, the percentage of pure gold content, and the components of the alloy. This way you will be sure that you did not make a mistake with your purchase.
Formula for converting carats to fineness
The bank bullion consists of 99.9% pure precious metal. In Russia, the metric system with a marking mark in the form of a sample has been officially adopted for the evaluation of jewelry. Any indicator of other measurement systems can be easily converted to obtain the share of the precious metal used.
To determine which metal sample corresponds to the specified number of carats on the product, you can use a simple formula:
carats / 24 * 1000
The resulting figure will be in the range of values of the metric system.
Legislative regulation
Russia provides for strict regulation and quality control of metal. In Decree of the Russian Federation No. 372 of April 5, 1999, the Ministry of Finance is assigned the responsibility to control the certification of precious metals and products made from them. Certification is required:
- Cut gemstones. They are tested at retail.
- Diamonds without jewelry processing.
- Unique nuggets.
- Minerals and recyclable materials with admixtures of precious metals.
Resolution of the Russian Federation No. 394 of May 6, 2016 “On testing, analysis and hallmarking of jewelry and other products made of precious metals” establishes:
- types of products subject to the branding procedure;
- procedure for providing the brand;
- labeling methods;
- reasons for refusal;
- sample setting algorithm;
- restrictions on the use of solders.
A mark with a mark indicates the purity, that is, the purity of the precious metal. They are divided:
- 375 – the percentage of pure gold is 38.5%;
- 500 – half consists of impurities;
- 583 – 58.3% gold;
- 585 – 58.5% Au;
- 750 – 25% base metal;
- 958 – 0.42% impurities;
- 999 – the purest gold, 24 carats.
The most common markings are 585 and 750. They are distinguished by increased strength and hardness.
Table: ratio of different rating systems
| System | Carat | Metric |
| Zolotnikovaya | ||
| 36 | 9 | 375 |
| 48 | 12 | 500 |
| 56 | 14 | 585 |
| 72 | 18 | 750 |
| 88 | 22 | 900 |
| 92 | 23 | 958 |
| 96 | 24 | 999 |
Gold ring with a stamp 56
Where to find the stamp, sample and manufacturer's mark on the product
Each ring, bracelet, chain and other jewelry must correspond to the standard, one of the existing rating systems. Any jewelry salon can only sell jewelry that bears the state hallmark. This imprint is called a name tag and includes numbers and letters. The numbers indicate the year of manufacture and sample. The letter symbol indicates the manufacturer.
Any jewelry is sold with a label, details: name of the manufacturer, name of the jewelry, code, article number, weight. Additionally, the size of the item and the name of the inserts, if any, are indicated. According to GOST, the label is attached to the products with white thread and a seal.
Marking on a product is regulated and carried out only by the Assay Chamber of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. The state mark can be affixed using a laser or minted. The presence of such a sign indicates the authenticity of the jewelry and the passage of appropriate checks.
Includes a sample, a sign of identification, which are applied in one or different images. The ID symbol can be an image of a star with a hammer and sickle, characteristic of Soviet gold, or the head of a woman in a kokoshnik, turned to the right.
Why is it better to trust the sample on the product?
Each piece of jewelry of domestic or imported origin must have the necessary markings. Imported gold jewelry is always marked with carats and the word “gold”. Certificates for trading are required.
It is important to correctly read the existing name tag, especially on products brought from other countries. After all, most of such jewelry is gold-plated jewelry or silver, which is also indicated by the presence of appropriate markings. Moreover, the price of these jewelry may correspond to the original.
Any gold jewelry brought for sale in the Russian Federation requires assaying. Then the fineness is indicated along with the carats.
What to consider when purchasing products
Commemorative badges, medals, precious coins, and bank gold bars are made from gold of the highest standard.
Au 24 carat is a heavy metal. The weight of the products is at least 10 grams. Accordingly, the cost of a small product will be high. Pure gold jewelry is rare. Mostly, jewelers make massive wedding rings: thanks to their volume, they will retain their shape.
The surface of the product is easy to scratch, so the jewelry should be stored carefully.
Determining the carat value of a product using the acid method. Instructions
Using simple methods, you can establish the authenticity of gold. But how to determine the sample or carat? It is difficult to do this at home, since you will have to purchase special reagents. A jeweler can use the acid method to determine the purity of items. It is also used in pawnshops, buying precious items. To do this, a small scratch is made on the jewelry, onto which a little acid is dripped, which reacts with the noble metal. Based on the result, you can determine how many carats the product corresponds to.
Step by step test execution:
- Clean the product from dirt and make a small scratch.
- Take reagents intended for different carats. First, apply a drop from the bottle with the lowest reading onto the scratch. If the carat value is higher than that indicated on the bottle, the color of the alloy will not change. Then the experiment must be repeated until a match is found.
- When the carat value of the reagent matches the precious metal, the location of the damage will slightly change the shade. If the value of the jewelry differs by several carats, the scratch will be covered with light rust. If the alloy has a quality several carats higher than indicated on the bottle, then the scratch will dissolve and disappear.
Difference between 14 and 24 carats
The most important difference between the metals of these samples is the content of impurities. For 24 carats, according to GOST No. 30649-99, the ligature does not exceed 0.1%, for 14K – 41–41.5%. This means that the highest sample consists of almost 100 percent Au, and 585 - only 58.5%.
Cleanliness, hardness and durability
24 carat gold is highly chemically resistant to aggressive environments, but its mechanical properties leave much to be desired. Products made from it are soft, easily deformed, the surface is scratched and dull.
A product made of 585-grade metal does not lose its shine over time, and gains hardness and strength thanks to the addition of copper.
Color and price
Color 24K – bright yellow. The authenticity of coins and chervonets was checked using heating. If the color was red, then the metal was clean. As the gold cools, it acquires its primary color. Due to the small amount of impurities, the color does not change.
14K metal has a wider color palette. A high content of copper gives a red tint, silver and copper - yellow, silver - green.
The price of samples differs significantly: the average price of a gram of 24 carats is 2500 rubles, 14K is 1600 rubles.
Category: question-answer
There are many tips on the Internet on how to test gold. How to determine the purity or carat of gold?
Expert opinion
Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich
Jeweler 6th category
Each piece of jewelry sold in Russia must have a hallmark and a hallmark. If there are no marking symbols, this may indicate restoration, alteration of the jewelry, or rare single hand-made work in which a mark is not placed. Then, if you have special reagents or other tools, you can determine the sample yourself. But it is better to visit a specialist who can accurately determine the authenticity and composition of the gold. The best decision would be to buy in jewelry stores with a good reputation and guarantee, for example, in the Sunlight chain, Almaz Holding, MYuZ.
How to convert carats into carats when buying jewelry abroad?
Expert opinion
Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich
Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop
When buying imported jewelry abroad, it is important to pay attention to the stamp and the presence of other signs indicating authenticity. In rare cases, a foreign alloy may not be as pure as the corresponding sample. You can bring this indicator to the usual standard using the formula: carats / 24 * 1000.
How many carats is pure gold?
Expert opinion
Pribrezhny Gennady Valentinovich
Jeweler 6th category
The precious metal acquires a white color by adding more silver or palladium to the alloy. Today it is a popular alloy with hallmarks: 585, 750, 900. Thus, the carats of white metal are fully consistent with those of yellow, respectively.
Gold granules
How much is a carat of gold in grams?
Expert opinion
Grishanov Mikhail Petrovich
Jeweler, director of the Grishanov and Co. workshop
It is believed that in 1k there is 0.2 grams. But this indicator is used to measure the weight of precious stones exclusively. There is even a special table indicating the carat of stones with the corresponding weight.
History of karat
The carat is not an element of the system of weights and measures, which is why it is called non-systemic. The name comes from the carob tree Ceratonia siliqua. This is an evergreen tree that has long been common in the Mediterranean. It produced fruits - pods that always corresponded to one another in weight and volume. Noticing this feature, people began to use its pods as a weight standard since biblical times. During the Roman Empire, the mature dry pods were introduced into the system of measurements; one unit equaled 0.19 grams and was called siliqua. Carat is only the Greek version of this name, which came into use later.
There are many varieties of karat, which are similar in essence, but have different numerical equivalents. A metric carat is 0.2 grams. In the Middle East and North Africa, the qirat was used - the so-called Arabic carat, which was measured in milligrams and had an approximate value (from 195 to 223 mg). An English carat is also an indicator in milligrams; it is equal to 205 mg. Egypt has always had its own standards for measurements. Their carat is measured in fractions of faddan and qadah, and was approximately 0.064 l or just over 175 sq. meters. These measures do not apply to precious metals and stones.
