Understanding the Properties of Gold
Gold, in its purest form, is known as 24 carat gold. It’s highly valued for its bright yellow lustre and its resistance to tarnish. However, one of the most distinguishing properties of gold is its softness. The incredible malleability and ductility of gold allow it to be shaped and stretched without breaking. These properties make it ideal for various uses. For instance, in electronics, manufacturers shape thin gold wires as needed, and in dentistry, dentists precisely shape gold fillings to fit a patient’s tooth.
Why is 24 Carat Gold not used for Jewellery?
Despite these useful properties, the softness of 24 carat gold makes it less suitable for crafting durable jewellery. Jewellery needs to withstand daily wear and tear, and a piece made from pure gold could easily lose its shape or let a precious stone slip out. That’s why jewellers often use gold alloys, which are mixtures of gold and other metals, for making jewellery.
Understanding Gold Carats and Alloys
We use the term ‘carat’ to denote the purity of gold, with 24 carats representing pure gold. When we mix other metals with gold, the carat value decreases. Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Carat | % of Fine Gold |
|---|---|
| 24 | 99.999% |
| 22 | 91.6% |
| 18 | 75% |
| 14 | 58.5% |
| 09 | 37.5% |
For example, 22 k gold is an alloy that’s 91.7% gold and 8.3% other metals like copper or silver. These additional metals give the alloy a hardness that pure gold lacks, making it more suitable for crafting durable jewellery.
Turning Your Gold into Cash
Whether you have 24 carat gold or a lower carat alloy, you can turn your unwanted gold into cash at J Blundell & Sons Ltd. We offer competitive scrap gold prices and same-day payments, making it easy to sell your gold. As a trusted gold buyer and pawnbroker, we also provide loans against gold, offering a secure way to access funds without selling your precious metals.
In the world of gold, understanding the difference between carats and the properties of gold can help you make informed decisions, whether you’re buying, selling, or securing a loan against gold.
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