Gold was one of the first metals discovered by humans in ancient times. Although it has been used for centuries in many different applications, one of the most popular uses for gold is in jewelry. Earrings in 14kt yellow and white gold Gold Jewelry Gold is a perfect metal in jewelry because it will never rust, tarnish, or corrode, and it is very strong. Furthermore, gold is extremely malleable, allowing it to be made into virtually any shape. Because of this, gold jewelry comes in all shapes and sizes. Karatage Pure gold is not strong enough to withstand day-to-day tasks, so it is mixed with metals such as copper, silver, nickel, and zinc to make it more durable, and to make it stronger. Because of its rarity, and this alloying, a system known as Karatage was developed to determine the amount of actual gold in a piece of metal. As Karatage is expressed in 24ths, 24k gold is 100% pure. In jewelry, gold is most commonly found in either 14 or 18 karats. 18k gold contains more gold than 14k (75% vs. 58.3%), and so it is more expensive. Most of the gold you will find at Lux Bond & Green is either 14k or 18k. Men's bracelet in 18kt gold Earrings in 14kt Rose, White and Yellow Gold Colors Though pure gold is yellow in color, when alloyed with other metals, gold can be made into a variety of colors including white, rose, blue, green, and even purple. In jewelry, the most common colors are yellow, white, and rose. White gold is often plated with rhodium, a shiny white metal that is extremely hard, to increase the gold's whiteness. Rose gold gets its color from the copper that it is alloyed with. The rose color can vary from piece to piece, and usually exhibits a beautiful pinkish-rose color. Care Gold jewelry can be dulled by chemicals commonly found in soaps and cleaners, so removing your jewelry before cleaning is always a good idea. To clean your gold jewelry, use a detergent-free soap and warm water. Use of a soft brush on the gold will help to bring back its luster, and regular cleanings can prolong the life of your gold jewelry. When storing your jewelry, be sure not to place it somewhere where it is rubbing other gold items. Storage in a soft cloth bag or your item's original box will help to protect it from scratches and moisture. As always, stop into any one of our beautiful stores to have your Lux Bond & Green jewelry professionally cleaned, free of charge.