Is Yellow Gold As Good As Gold?
Gold
One of the most enchanting, mesmerizing, life changing elements in our world.
Gold is so important, it is used as a measure of practically everything else. Phrases like “as good as gold,” and “worth its weight in gold,” “golden touch,” and more, speak to its universal acclaim.
One of the earliest metals we learned to work, gold has been mined and manipulated into striking art and design for at least five and half thousand years.
This classic, resembling sunlight made solid, has been used for jewelry and decoration throughout the history of the world and in almost every culture and civilization that has ever existed.
Perhaps that’s because of its undiminishing luster that seems to be brighter than the light it reflects.
Today yellow gold, even in competition with platinum and other gold alloys, is the most sought after metal for jewelry.
But is yellow gold “as good as gold?”
H3. Is yellow gold real gold?
Yes, yellow gold is real gold, though it is not pure gold.
H2. What is Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is the name given to the gold alloy used in jewelry that most closely resembles the naturally occurring color of pure gold in appearance. A mixture of naturally yellow gold and other precious metals such as silver and copper, it is far stronger than pure gold, which is too malleable and soft for jewelry, especially pieces carrying valuable stones, such as diamond engagement rings.
Tarnish resistant, and durable, yellow gold jewelry is the clear choice for many.
Yellow gold most often comes in 14k or 18k, though ranges from 9k-22k are also produced.
Lower karat ratings are mostly used for costume jewelry or pieces that take the extraordinary strain. Higher ratios of gold such as 22k are rarely used, and never used at Michael Gabriel, because they are simply too soft. You wouldn’t want your precious diamond engagement ring to lose its diamond now would you?
H3. Is 14k or 18k best for yellow gold engagement rings?
Karat is the measure of gold purity, as opposed to carat which is the measure of diamond weight.
Pure gold is 24 karats, and all other gold alloys will have their percentage of gold represented by the number of karats. Higher karat ranges have more pure gold, while lower karat ranges have higher ratios of base metals. So 18k gold will be 18/24 parts gold, or just about 75% pure gold, and 14k will be 14/24 parts gold, et cetera.
So what's the difference, practically speaking, between these different types of gold?
14 karat gold has enough other metal aside from gold in its mix to give it more strength than 18 karat gold, making it more suitable for jewelry, or parts of jewelry, that will take great strain or wear, such as rings.
18 karat gold has a moderately more lustrous shine, but is sometimes too soft for certain pieces or parts of jewelry.
H3. Yellow gold vs white gold vs rose gold
Yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold are all variations of gold alloys where the content of metals other than gold is used to tint the metal.
By mixing pure gold with other metals not only can it improve the desired color tone, but add the durability and strength needed to make fine jewelry last a lifetime.
H2. Recycled Gold from Michael Gabriels
At Michael Gabriels we use only recycled metals, so our yellow gold jewelry has less of an impact on our world.
While gold continues to be mined all over the world, with another 2500 to 3000 tons added every year, it is speculated that more gold currently resides in landfills than the rest of the world.
Yes, you read that right- there might be more accessible gold in our waste than gold still unmined. And that's not only from the millions of tons of e-waste discarded every year (gold is an important component of many technologies.) A team from Arizona State University found that the gold in the sludge of a large-city sewer is worth millions of dollars.
So no wonder there are people who would rather “mine” the trash heaps and garbage dumps for the estimated billions of dollars worth of scrapped yellow metal.
But what really seals the deal is that by processing the trash for the gold found in electronic and mechanical items from computers to old pens, we are simultaneously cleaning up the earth.
Well, that's the theory at least, though not all recycled metals are produced with environmentally friendly and sustainable methods.
However at Michael Gabriels our recycled metals come from a processing plant here in New York that has a proven environmentally sustainable record.
At Michael Gabriels we are proud to offer our sustainable, socially and environmentally friendly, recycled gold alongside our lab-grown diamonds.
Have more questions? Our team of experts is ready to answer any that you have and help in any way possible to ensure you find the perfect piece of jewelry for you.
With over 100 years of experience at your disposal at this third generation family business, we specialize in customized and bespoke items catered to the needs of our clients.
Search our online inventory of gold jewelry, such as gold engagement rings, or contact us today to discover the golden future you have in (our) store.
