What is medical gold: its composition and application

The Egyptians called gold "sun-like". Since ancient times, this precious metal has had a mystical surroundings. He was worshiped; gold served as a measure and symbol of wealth. Today, the jewelry market is flooded with items that look like gold. However, these are not gold products, but so-called medical gold.

What kind of alloy is this, what is its relationship to medicine? Let’s try to figure it out. And is medical gold really valuable, the price of which seems more than acceptable to the average person?

Pure gold

There is no such metal in nature as pure 100% gold. Humanity extracts it from native forms or gold ores, in which the content of 10-50 grams of gold itself per ton of gold ore is considered very promising.

The compound that contains the most gold can only be considered crystals grown artificially in an atmosphere of chlorine using a complex method of chemical transportation. And even these crystals contain 99.9% gold.

The chemical Aurum (Au) is a yellow metal. Very soft and flexible, with high density. The inertness of gold, that is, the absence of interaction under normal conditions with acids, makes it a noble metal. All precious metals are subject to mandatory testing with a corresponding stamp. It is the gold purity, and this is the hallmark, that means the proportional content of the precious metal in a particular product.

Natural gold consists of the stable isotope Au(197). There are other isotopes - radioactive. For example, Au (198) has found application in radiology in the treatment of cancer.

Care and operation

To preserve the appearance of medical gold jewelry for many years, you need to properly care for it:

First of all, you need to store the products correctly. If they are not on the body, you need to put them in a separate box so that they do not come into contact with other jewelry. Do not use plastic containers or cellophane bags for storage.
It is advisable to remove jewelry when playing sports.
Do not overheat the product. It is not recommended to leave the jewelry for a long time in direct sunlight.
Special ultrasonic equipment can be used to clean jewelry. This is how noble metals are cleaned to avoid damage to the decorative layer.
Do not use abrasive materials when cleaning. For cleaning, special compounds are used to clean jewelry.
To restore shine to your jewelry, you need to wash it in warm, soapy water. Next, the product is wiped with sodium hyposulfite. Do not use solutions that contain active chemicals.

Jewelry is often cleaned of plaque using chalk. To do this, the product is rubbed with this material and then wiped with a damp cloth. It is advisable to rinse the jewelry in a solution of soapy water once a week. To increase the effectiveness of the procedure, you need to clean them with a toothbrush while rinsing. Do not use metal brushes.

Medical gold - no sample

As is clear from the previous text, all the gold on the planet is presented in the form of alloys with different gold contents. The term “medical gold” refers to a specific marketing range, including products with various coatings and medical steel. What is the difference between medical gold and regular gold?

The lowest acceptable standard for jewelry is 375 gold. And for everything that contains gold less than this sample, the term “medical gold” was introduced.

Positive properties

Medical gold has a number of advantages:

Visual resemblance to real 750 fine metal.
Does not change appearance for a long time.
Due to the hypoallergenic properties of the medical alloy, it is suitable for people whose bodies react negatively to various metals.
Not subject to oxidation processes.
Has a low price.

Such alloys are durable and safe for the body. With proper care, they will delight the owner for many years.

The value of medical steel

In medicine, to produce high-strength and durable instruments, a special alloy without a fixed composition is used from the following components: iron, copper, nickel, magnesium, manganese, sulfur, chromium, brass, zinc, silver and molybdenum. This alloy is called medical or surgical steel. Tools made from such alloys do not scratch and have high strength and anti-corrosion properties.

Medical or surgical steel is divided into four groups:

The predominance of nickel, chromium and magnesium in the alloy (fineness 200).
The alloy contains only chromium and nickel (fineness 300).
High concentration nickel alloys.
The alloy contains only chromium.

For dentistry, a nickel-chrome or cobalt-chrome alloy is used, and for piercing, a silver-based alloy is used. The composition and proportions may vary depending on the wishes of the consumer.

What is it used for in medicine?

Medical steel has been used to treat people for a long time. In the past, alchemists made golden water that was used to treat viral and infectious diseases.

With the development of technology, the use of gold in medicine has expanded significantly. Now gold nanoparticles are added to modern drugs for various diseases. Metal improves immunity and helps strengthen the cardiovascular system.

Radioactive medical gold is actively used in oncology. With its help, malignant tumors are treated and the condition of the skin is restored. However, only the attending physician can prescribe such procedures after an examination.

This alloy is used to kill germs and disinfect wounds. Due to this, it is used in the manufacture of instruments for performing operations. When working with various damage to the skin, such instruments cannot introduce infection into the body. Medical gold is also used to make jewelry. It is ideal for those people who are not suitable for any precious metals other than real gold.

How steel becomes medical gold

As a result of two types of coatings, medical steel becomes similar to gold products. The method of converting steel into medical gold differs in its physical characteristics and can be of two types:

Gold Plated method – galvanic coating by sputtering. Inexpensive and fragile spraying, which is easily susceptible to mechanical damage.
The Gold Filled method is the application of gold plating under high temperature (up to 900 degrees). Expensive and durable coating.

This is how a medical gold alloy is formed, which is used in the production of costume jewelry. Manufacturers usually indicate the polishing method on products or instructions for them.

How to distinguish a medical alloy from gold

The similarity of the medical alloy to real gold has given rise to an increase in the number of unscrupulous sellers. That is why it is better to understand the nuances of the differences between the original and a high-quality fake. The first thing you should pay attention to is the presence of a sample. All gold items must be marked with numbers indicating the amount of precious metal in the alloy and information about the manufacturer. There are no such differences on jewelry made from medical raw materials, because... the gold only covers the surface and is not found in the alloy itself.

The price of copper alloy products is much lower than that of gold. Therefore, you should be wary if the seller claims that the jewelry is made of natural metal, but the cost is underestimated. Before purchasing, you can study the pricing policy for jewelry to understand what can cost and how much.

The price of copper alloy products is much lower than that of gold

Expensive and rare stones are not inlaid into simple metals. It is simply impossible to find a simple gold plated ring with an emerald or diamond on sale.

You can determine what the jewelry is made of after purchasing it at home using iodine. An iodine dot is placed on the back of the product. Gold reacts with iodine, so a dark spot of oxidized metal will remain at the mark site. Other metals will not react to the substance in any way.

Jewelry made of medical gold

Jewelry craftsmen create real masterpieces from this inexpensive, but durable and sought-after material. Combining matte and mirror surfaces, inlay and engraving, giving platinum color - all these techniques allow you to make rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces unique. In addition, the figures come to life and the roses bloom with gold. And the low price for such products is very helpful.

Customer reviews are positive. In addition to the consumer price, such products have a number of other advantages over gold and silver jewelry.

How much do jewelry cost?

Jewelry made from medical gold is cheaper than products made from real precious metal. The price depends on how much effort was spent on making the jewelry, what technology was used to apply the decorative coating, and how much precious metal and medical alloy went into making the product.

Medical gold is an alloy of several components. Visually and in its characteristics, it is similar to real noble metal, but costs much less. It is used in various fields of industry, as well as medicine and jewelry production. Due to its composition and properties, this material is suitable for people whose bodies react negatively to any metals other than gold. High-quality surgical instruments are made from it.

Advantages and Benefits

As already mentioned, the invention of medicinal gold provided a number of advantages to all jewelry lovers.

Visually, products made from such material are difficult for a non-specialist to distinguish from 750 gold. The most important thing: they do not turn black and remain in their original form for a long time. Even if the owner swims in a pool with chlorinated water and actively plays sports.

It is also important that this is a way out for people who are allergic to all metals except gold. Almost everyone can afford such jewelry.

General information about the alloy

Medical gold can be classified as noble jewelry. Products made from this alloy are very reminiscent of real natural metal, but still have fundamental differences. Their prices are very competitive and affordable, so every woman will be able to add to her jewelry collection without a big blow to the family budget.

Composition and properties

Medical gold contains components such as nickel, magnesium, molybdenum, manganese, sulfur, phosphorus and chromium. All these materials are characterized by natural shine, so they perfectly complement each other in the alloy.

In medicine, medical gold is also called a surgical alloy, from which high-quality instruments are made. Jewelry craftsmen also love the alloy for its properties:

does not cause allergies;
does not turn black and does not lose its original color;
has high ductility and malleability, so it is easy to process;
quite durable;
resistant to mechanical stress;
does not oxidize from interaction with salty and chlorinated water;
has anti-corrosion properties.

Medical gold does not cause allergies
Despite its strength, the metal can bend and the jewelry will change its shape, losing its attractiveness. To prevent this from happening, it is better not to subject medical alloy products to excessive pressure.

Methods of obtaining

There are two methods for obtaining medicinal gold.

Gold Filled. The first step is to make a blank from brass, bronze, copper or nickel. Next, the gold along with the workpiece is heated to 900 degrees and a layer of gold plating is applied to the surface of the future product. The appearance and service life of the jewelry directly depends on the professionalism of the craftsman and the quality of the work performed. This manufacturing method is the most reliable, because... high temperatures give the gilded layer special strength.
Gold Plated is a method of creating a medical alloy by applying electroplating. The process uses electrolysis technology. The product is polished, degreased and cleaned of the effects of oxidation. A thin layer of gold plating is then applied using an electric current. Compared to the first method, it is not as reliable, because... the gold layer wears off quickly if the product is used frequently and actively.

Regardless of the method of creating jewelry, all things made of medical gold look beautiful and noble, so the choice of which one to give preference remains only with the buyer.

Application

Depending on the area of application of the copper alloy, its composition may also change. Most often, metal is used in surgery, dentistry, cosmetology, jewelry and even cooking.

The use of gold in medicine has been practiced for many centuries. The precious metal helped get rid of many ailments, weakness, allergies and exhaustion. Today, gold particles are introduced into medicines and cosmetology products. For example, smallpox and skin diseases are successfully treated in China. Thanks to gold, the body becomes stronger and more resilient, and cardiovascular activity is strengthened. Adding gold foil to food and drinks helps strengthen the immune system. Experiments on animals have proven that even cancer can be cured with the precious metal.

Instruments made from medical gold improve the quality of surgical and preventive measures. Metal is capable of disinfecting and killing germs. Previously, gold alloys were used for dental prosthetics. Such crowns destroyed microbes in the oral cavity and eliminated unpleasant odor without causing an allergic reaction. The advantage of dentures made of copper alloy is their long service life and ability to resist the development of caries.

Medgold is widely used to treat the following diseases:

gout;
arthritis;
diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
weakness, lack of energy and general malaise;
anemia and other blood diseases.

Interestingly, in 1929, precious metal salts were used to prevent arthritis. This procedure was called aurotherapy, after which the condition of bone tissue and cartilage significantly improved.

Jewelry making is one of the main areas for using medical alloys. The range of goods is expanding more and more every year, as is the list of people willing to purchase them. The first in line are women who like to change their jewelry frequently. In addition, the choice of costume jewelry allows you to choose products both for everyday wear and for a special occasion. The peculiarity of jewelry made from medical alloy is its resistance to external factors and beautiful design. Time does not particularly leave its mark on their appearance, so such products will be able to please for quite a long time, provided that they are not intentionally damaged. But their main advantage is that they are safe for health and do not cause allergies, which is why earrings are made from the alloy for initial piercing of different parts of the body.

Medical gold is used to treat heart and vascular diseases

Jewelry made from medical gold is often found in tandem with other alloys; it is inlaid with real precious metal, ceramics, semi-precious and artificial stones. The products are in demand not only among the fair sex, but also among men. Wristwatches made of copper alloy with inserts of leather, rubber and other metals turn out to be very beautiful.

Shade range

Like natural expensive metals, medical alloy can be made in any color. Depending on the additional impurities, its shade will also depend. Titanium will give a white color, and by adding copper you can achieve a light yellow or reddish color. Thus, analogues of white and yellow gold are obtained. Some designers combine several shades in one product. For example, the Cartier brand released a ring with three weaves of different colors. This is pink, yellow and white plating with high-karat gold.

Advantages and disadvantages

The popularity of the medical alloy was ensured by its external properties and physical characteristics. In addition to the fact that the metal is visually similar to 18-carat gold, its advantages include:

long service life;
looks no worse than the original metal;
affordable price;
hypoallergenic, which makes it possible to wear jewelry for people prone to skin rashes;
does not darken even after prolonged wear.

Despite a lot of positive qualities, medical metal also has certain disadvantages:

No matter how carefully you treat the jewelry, the top gilded layer will sooner or later be erased, so you will have to fork out for a new product;
There is no hallmark on the jewelry, they are not investment items;
not suitable for indicating the status and wealth of its owner, because a professional will immediately notice the cheapness of jewelry even if it is made of the highest quality.

Paying attention to all the positive and negative aspects of copper gold, you can decide on the rationality of jewelry made from it. In any case, even a thin chain will add zest to the appearance and image of its owner.

Plates as a way to connect bone fragments

Fixing plates after a fracture are designed to fasten fragments. The fixed fragments, put together, begin to grow together. The implants keep them from coming apart. They are made from materials that do not corrode and do not have a harmful effect on the human body while in the body. These are the following materials:

titanium alloy;
stainless steel;
alloy of chromium, molybdenum, nickel;
artificial materials that dissolve in the patient’s body.

The cost of a fracture plate will depend on the material from which it is made.

When performing an osteosynthesis operation, the surgeon places metal fasteners under the soft tissues of the body, directly on the bone, fixing them on the main surface. When installing a plate for a fracture , doctors bend the product to adapt it to the anatomical features of the bone, adjusting the part to an individual shape. After ensuring stable fixation of the required position, the wound is sutured.

Titanium plate for arm fracture

For osteosynthesis for fractures of the arm bones, fixators of different shapes and sizes can be used. If the hand is damaged, the installation of clamps on the side of the palm is excluded, so as not to damage the nerve endings or ligaments during the operation. If the hand is damaged, implants are installed from the back.

A titanium plate installed for a fracture of the arm holds the bones for about a year, after which a specialist checks the quality of bone restoration and, if the conclusion is satisfactory, a repeat operation is performed to remove the implant.

After installing a plate for a broken leg , the implant may remain inside the body forever.

Where are they installed?

The variety of types and sizes of bones in the human body leads to a large number of types of plates used for osteosynthesis . All of these categories were developed specifically for each fracture site.

There are implants installed for skull trauma, others are designed to treat injuries to the collarbone. There are clamps used for fractures of the tibia, shoulder, pelvis, etc.

To restore the integrity of the facial bones, a special wire (cerclage) is used. Skull trauma requires urgent surgical intervention. Titanium plates for skull fractures are used to mask the injury and protect the brain from damage. The patient is forced to wear such an implant for the rest of his life.

Many categories of implants have been created for the hands, because they are quite vulnerable, because when falling, a person instinctively throws his hands in the direction of the fall. There are micro-implants for fingers, and there are clamps for wrists and forearms. If the hand is injured, the implant is not placed on the palm side, so as not to damage the nerves, vessels, and tendons that are located there in abundance.

Tips for choosing jewelry

When planning the purchase of jewelry, it is worth considering some points to minimize the risk of purchasing a low-quality item:

Costume jewelry does not have the usual gold standard, but it has its own marking. A conscientious manufacturer will indicate on the stamp the amount of impurities and the number of carats of gold plating, if any. Carats are designated by the letter K and a number. 375 standard - the lowest for gold - is marked 9K (British system) or 36K (Russian system). Anything containing fewer gold carats is a jewelry alloy.
The decoration is accompanied by a tag indicating the manufacturer, his details, and alloy composition. If stones are present, then information about them.

Where can you buy or sell

You can buy jewelry in large jewelry stores in Moscow or other regions of Russia. They often have departments selling costume jewelry made from alloys with semi-precious stones. Online stores also offer a large assortment of medical gold; you just need to enter a query in a search engine.

The catalogs contain detailed photos, which allows you to choose jewelry without leaving your home. The order can be delivered by courier, transport company or Russian Post.

Vsevolod Kozlovsky6 years in the jewelry business. He knows everything about samples and can identify a fake in 12 seconds. But selling jewelry, if you are not an entrepreneur, can only be done through private advertisement sites. Pawnshops rarely take gold-plated items. In the best case, if the coating is significant enough, they give a very small price for it.

Material properties

There is an opinion that the medical alloy is gold of the highest standard, but this is absolutely not true. It is impossible to make a product from a noble metal without any impurities due to its softness and malleability. Such jewelry would be huge, and they would have to be worn with great care, because any careless movement could cause serious mechanical damage. And the price of such an item would not please anyone.

Medical (sometimes abbreviated as honey) gold is an alloy of several metals: magnesium, nickel and chromium . From the name you can guess that the scope of application of this substance is medicine. Not only attractive jewelry is made from the material, but also surgical instruments. It is also used to create dental crowns. It has a lot of advantages:

excellent appearance, making it difficult to distinguish it from real gold;
has anti-corrosion properties;
very low price per gram;
quite strong and durable;
does not cause allergies;
does not oxidize.

The first jewelry from this alloy was made in the 18th century in France. From there, a fashion for this material arose, and soon it became widespread in England and Russia, where craftsmen from the Tula plant produced similar products. There was a very high demand for them among men. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the popularity of the alloy gradually declined. Until the nineties, it was practically not remembered for the creation of costume jewelry, because it was not considered valuable. But in the twenty-first century, products made from it returned to the shelves again.

These jewelry are famous for their beauty and grace. In addition, they are quite cheap, which means almost anyone can afford them. For example, a ring of not the greatest thickness, made from this gold, will cost about a thousand rubles.

What are the plates for?

At first, following the introduction of a new technology for treating bone damage, plates for fractures were installed only if displacement was diagnosed. This was done because in the case of many fragments, the plaster applied on top could not stop their subsequent displacement, which could injure the soft tissues and lead to improper healing of the bone. Complex injuries, with many fragments, can only be treated by fixing the fragments with a titanium plate .

This operation allows you to shorten the recovery period. Reliable stabilization of bones with fixators creates favorable conditions for healing. Titanium devices allow you to start the rehabilitation period earlier. Resuming motor activity of the joints minimizes the likelihood of osteoarthritis or contractures. Therefore, price is not so important if you need to choose a plate for a fracture .