Custom 14K/18K Solid Gold Jewelry

Hallmarks and certifications are the marks stamped on gold jewelry to show their purity (that is the karat grade) and the mark of the manufacturer. This action can be dated back to London, England, in 1327, which has become a global act by the way. Nowadays, it is considered a crime to sell gold jewelry that is not hallmarked or certified by a government-approved assay office. This is done to curb the trade of fake gold.

Hence, the best way to tell if the gold jewelry you are buying is real is to look for a hallmark. If the jewelry does not have a hallmark, it could mean that the piece does not contain real gold or perhaps the hallmark has rubbed off over time, which can happen if the jewelry is in constant contact with the skin. Another possible reason for the absence of hallmark is if the gold jewelry was made before 1937 when hallmarking started becoming a consistent practice.

How professional the craftsmanship and finishing of solid gold jewelry is determines its overall quality and aesthetic appeal. There are many jewelers, including those who are not very good with their craft. Hence, you need to survey for those who are professional and experienced in order to get quality jewelry.

Some of the things you should look out for in any jewelry piece is the symmetry, precision in gemstone settings, and the absence of visible flaws or imperfections. Also, pay attention to the quality of soldering and any engravings. A well-crafted jewelry will showcase fine workmanship, with no rough edges or uneven surfaces. A quality finish adds to the longevity and beauty of the piece.

As you must have learnt repeatedly in this comprehensive guide, the purity of gold, otherwise known as the percentage of pure gold in solid gold jewelry, is measured in Karats (K). The higher the karat number, the purer the gold. This makes it easy to evaluate your gold jewelry’s purity. For example, 24K is 100% pure gold, 18K gold is 75% pure gold, and 14K is 58.3% pure gold. You can check for markings or certifications that tell the karat grade.

Additionally, evaluate the weight of the jewelry, as it impacts both its value and resistance to damaging elements. Weigh the piece to compare its density to its size. This is because some jewelry are only big in size but weighs very low.

This is an extension of the solid gold’s karat level. Ordinarily, solid gold jewelry has an inherent longevity thanks to the added metal alloys that make it resistant to tarnish, wear, and corrosion. While the higher karat grades contain more gold content and are very valuable, they don’t last long because pure gold is too soft and susceptible to easy damage.

On the other hand, solid gold jewelries that contain a lower percentage of pure gold are less valuable but tend to last longer since they contain a higher quantity of strong metals.

These are factors that are worth considering when evaluating the quality of solid gold jewelry, which is why on this note, we’ve recommended 14K and 18K as the best because they strike a balance between longevity and value.