Gold is almost certainly the first metal to be used by man. Because it is so soft, it is generally mixed [called ALLOYED] with other metals when it is used for jewellery. Pure gold, such as people might buy from a bullion dealer or mint, is called "24 Carat" gold.
The most commonly used alloys of Gold in Australia are:
9 Carat : 37.5% pure gold [or 9 parts gold and 15 parts other metals]
18 Carat : 75% pure gold [or 18 parts gold and 6 parts other metals]
Notice how the two measurements, the pure gold and the other metals used, always and up to 24, which is what pure gold is called '24 Carat Gold'.
Gold is usually mixed with silver, zinc, copper, and nickel. Amber-Jewels does not use nickel in any of the products that we make. Nickel is a component that many people have allergic reactions to. Our 9ct Gold is 37.5% pure gold, with the remainder being equal portions of silver and copper.
If the alloy has a very high portion of silver and less of the other, the result would be a greenish tint to the gold. If more copper is added, the gold then takes on a pinkish hue. This is called Rose Gold.
White Gold is alloyed with nickel and palladium. We do not make white gold.
The terms ROLLED GOLD and GOLD FILLED means that a layer of carat gold has been soldered, welded or brazed by mechanical means onto one or both sides of another metal. [sometimes silver but often a non-precious or BASE metal].
GOLD PLATED means that a thin layer of gold has been deposited onto the surface of another metal by means of electrolysis. The thickness of the layer of gold is measured in microns.
