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Gold won't tarnish, rust, or corrode, and though it's very strong, it is also the most malleable of all metals.
Purity
Pure gold is too soft to withstand the stresses of every-day wear, so it is alloyed with a mixture of metals like silver, copper, nickel, and zinc to give it strength and durability. Karatage, noted by a number followed by "k" indicates purity, or how much of the metal in a piece of jewelry is gold. Karatage is expressed in 24ths, making 24k gold 100% gold.
Color
The color of gold is determined by two factors:
* The type of metal alloys included in it
* The percentage of each metal alloy
Yellow Gold
In jewelry at Gold4You, you'll find 18k and 14k yellow gold. 18k gold contains more precious metal than 14k gold. It is composed of 75% gold, which is alloyed with other metals to make it strong enough to withstand every-day wear. Because 14k gold is composed of only 58.3% gold, and 41.7% other metals that give it strength, its gold color is not as rich as 18k gold. 14k gold is most commonly found in cases where strength is most important, like in earring backs and bracelet clasps.
Purity
Pure gold is too soft to withstand the stresses of every-day wear, so it is alloyed with a mixture of metals like silver, copper, nickel, and zinc to give it strength and durability. Karatage, noted by a number followed by "k" indicates purity, or how much of the metal in a piece of jewelry is gold. Karatage is expressed in 24ths, making 24k gold 100% gold.
Color
The color of gold is determined by two factors:
* The type of metal alloys included in it
* The percentage of each metal alloy
Yellow Gold
In jewelry at Gold4You, you'll find 18k and 14k yellow gold. 18k gold contains more precious metal than 14k gold. It is composed of 75% gold, which is alloyed with other metals to make it strong enough to withstand every-day wear. Because 14k gold is composed of only 58.3% gold, and 41.7% other metals that give it strength, its gold color is not as rich as 18k gold. 14k gold is most commonly found in cases where strength is most important, like in earring backs and bracelet clasps.
Gold, element Au, was one of the first known metals. The gold standard defines the world's currency system, whereby money represents a value in gold.
*24 karat = 100% gold
Too soft for jewelry
*22 karat = 91.7% gold
Very soft - not recommended for jewelry
*18 karat = 75.0% gold
Recommended for fine jewelry
*14 karat = 58.3% gold
Recommended for jewelry
*12 karat = 50.0% gold
Not acceptable for jewelry
*10 karat = 41.7% gold
The legal karat limit considered as real gold in the United States
*24 karat = 100% gold
Too soft for jewelry
*22 karat = 91.7% gold
Very soft - not recommended for jewelry
*18 karat = 75.0% gold
Recommended for fine jewelry
*14 karat = 58.3% gold
Recommended for jewelry
*12 karat = 50.0% gold
Not acceptable for jewelry
*10 karat = 41.7% gold
The legal karat limit considered as real gold in the United States
White Gold
Because 18k white gold is 75% gold, and 14k white gold is 58.3% gold, jewelry made from these metals has a slight yellow color. To enhance the whiteness, almost all white gold is plated with rhodium, a shiny, white metal which is extremely hard. Depending on the amount of wear to a piece of jewelry, over time this rhodium plating may wear off, revealing the original metal color. Re-plating is a simple process that can be done to restore your jewelry's whiteness if needed.
Rose Gold
Rose gold gets its color from a larger proportion of copper in the metal alloy. This gives the gold a beautiful pink color.
Pricing
The price of gold jewelry is dependent upon the purity of the gold used or karat weight, as well as the design and construction of the piece of jewelry.
Care
Keep your gold jewelry away from harsh chemicals such as chlorine and cleaning fluids. This will reduce daily abrasions and prolong gold's luster. To clean gold jewelry, use a solution of warm water and detergent-free soap and wash gold gently with a soft-bristled brush (a dull tooth brush works well). Store gold pieces separately in soft cloth bags or original boxes to protect them from the exposure to harsh daily elements.
Because 18k white gold is 75% gold, and 14k white gold is 58.3% gold, jewelry made from these metals has a slight yellow color. To enhance the whiteness, almost all white gold is plated with rhodium, a shiny, white metal which is extremely hard. Depending on the amount of wear to a piece of jewelry, over time this rhodium plating may wear off, revealing the original metal color. Re-plating is a simple process that can be done to restore your jewelry's whiteness if needed.
Rose Gold
Rose gold gets its color from a larger proportion of copper in the metal alloy. This gives the gold a beautiful pink color.
Pricing
The price of gold jewelry is dependent upon the purity of the gold used or karat weight, as well as the design and construction of the piece of jewelry.
Care
Keep your gold jewelry away from harsh chemicals such as chlorine and cleaning fluids. This will reduce daily abrasions and prolong gold's luster. To clean gold jewelry, use a solution of warm water and detergent-free soap and wash gold gently with a soft-bristled brush (a dull tooth brush works well). Store gold pieces separately in soft cloth bags or original boxes to protect them from the exposure to harsh daily elements.
Popular categories
The #1 trade secret that jewelry stores don’t want you to know is that the weight of the gold in gold jewelry makes up the majority of its cost. This rule applies to all precious metal jewelry, including silver and platinum. In the US, jewelry is weighed in grams. Some jewelry stores display the actual weight of each piece, while others do not.
Why don’t some jewelry stores want you to know the actual weight? Because the easiest way to make gold jewelry cheaper is to use less gold and make it lighter. The main problem with using less gold is that the jewelry will usually be weaker and more likely to bend. Some jewelry stores that do not display the weight say that "fine jewelry" is not sold by the weight. Jewelry stores are not supermarkets, right?
How can this secret help you to make better decisions buying jewelry? Whenever you are shopping for precious metal jewelry, the first thing you should figure out is the price per gram. The average price per gram that we have found at the mall is $28 per gram for 14k gold, $36 per gram for 18k gold, $3 per gram for silver, and $75 per gram for platinum.
Knowing the price per gram will help you compare apples to apples. It is easy to compare prices for two gold bracelets if they are the same weight, style, and quality. But this is hardly the case.
Most jewelry stores have very similar items that differ greatly by weight and price. So in order to compare apples to apples, you must find the price per gram at each store. As long as the quality and style are similar, the store with the lower price per gram is always a better value. By negotiating with a sales person based on price per gram, the sales person will know that you are a knowledgeable jewelry buyer that cannot be duped.
The price per gram concept also applies to diamonds. All diamonds over $1000 should come with a GIA certificate rating. When comparing two diamonds of the same rating, the lower price is always a better value.
Trade Secret #1 Summary
[X] Weight of jewelry determines value
[X] Retailers purchase precious metal jewelry priced per gram, so should you.
[X] In order to compare apples to apples, always figure out the price per gram
Why don’t some jewelry stores want you to know the actual weight? Because the easiest way to make gold jewelry cheaper is to use less gold and make it lighter. The main problem with using less gold is that the jewelry will usually be weaker and more likely to bend. Some jewelry stores that do not display the weight say that "fine jewelry" is not sold by the weight. Jewelry stores are not supermarkets, right?
How can this secret help you to make better decisions buying jewelry? Whenever you are shopping for precious metal jewelry, the first thing you should figure out is the price per gram. The average price per gram that we have found at the mall is $28 per gram for 14k gold, $36 per gram for 18k gold, $3 per gram for silver, and $75 per gram for platinum.
Knowing the price per gram will help you compare apples to apples. It is easy to compare prices for two gold bracelets if they are the same weight, style, and quality. But this is hardly the case.
Most jewelry stores have very similar items that differ greatly by weight and price. So in order to compare apples to apples, you must find the price per gram at each store. As long as the quality and style are similar, the store with the lower price per gram is always a better value. By negotiating with a sales person based on price per gram, the sales person will know that you are a knowledgeable jewelry buyer that cannot be duped.
The price per gram concept also applies to diamonds. All diamonds over $1000 should come with a GIA certificate rating. When comparing two diamonds of the same rating, the lower price is always a better value.
Trade Secret #1 Summary
[X] Weight of jewelry determines value
[X] Retailers purchase precious metal jewelry priced per gram, so should you.
[X] In order to compare apples to apples, always figure out the price per gram
Trade Secret #1
The # 2 trade secret that jewelry stores don't want you to know is that their average retail mark-up is 100% and Higher. Actually, this information is available if you dig through the SEC filing for public jewelry companies.
Why is the mark-up so high on jewelry? The main reason is that there are lots of costs associated in selling jewelry.
For example, each store has to pay rent, pay commissions, pay its sales staff, pay for advertising, and hold its own inventory. And because most jewelry retailers do not sell in high volume, their profit must be high for each item in order to stay in business.
Another reason some jewelry retailers mark-up the price so high is that they believe a higher price tag increases its perceived value.
How can jewelry stores that have 50% discounts still stay in business?
Have you ever seen small silver trinkets at jewelry stores selling for over $100?
The mark-up can be as high as a few hundred percent. But a high price tag at a jewelry store does not necessarily reflect its true value.
Have you ever noticed that some stores always have a 40% sale sign especially around Holidays?
You should watch out for these stores because they always inflate the price and give you a big discount so you feel like you are getting a great deal.
So how do you find a good price? The best thing to do is comparison shop on the internet. After comparison-shopping at least 3 internet jewelers, you will get a good idea of the lowest price you can find. Even if you don't feel comfortable buying jewelry on the internet, you can use the price to negotiate a better price at the jewelry store. Almost all Brick and Mortar jewelry stores are negotiable on price. Remember, most retailers mark-up their jewelry at minimum 100%, so if you are ready to purchase, they will definitely negotiate on price to make the sale. Just tell them the price that you found for the exact same item on the internet. You will probably not be able to get as low of a price as the internet, but if you want the peace of mind touching the jewelry and talking to a sales person, the higher price may be worth it.
How is jewelry so much cheaper on the internet?
The nation's largest jewelry chains have more than 2500 stores nation wide.
Multiply 2500 stores by the cost of rent, salespersons' commissions, advertising, and the cost of holding inventory. That's a huge expense.
In comparison, most of the largest internet jewelers are direct importers or wholesalers. This means they supply to 100's or 1000's of retailers in volume.
And an online jeweler only needs 1 distribution center to serve the entire US, with few sales persons. These cost savings result in lower prices for you.
Secret #2 Summary:
Average Retailer mark-up is 100% and higher High price tag doesn't always reflect true value
Why is the mark-up so high on jewelry? The main reason is that there are lots of costs associated in selling jewelry.
For example, each store has to pay rent, pay commissions, pay its sales staff, pay for advertising, and hold its own inventory. And because most jewelry retailers do not sell in high volume, their profit must be high for each item in order to stay in business.
Another reason some jewelry retailers mark-up the price so high is that they believe a higher price tag increases its perceived value.
How can jewelry stores that have 50% discounts still stay in business?
Have you ever seen small silver trinkets at jewelry stores selling for over $100?
The mark-up can be as high as a few hundred percent. But a high price tag at a jewelry store does not necessarily reflect its true value.
Have you ever noticed that some stores always have a 40% sale sign especially around Holidays?
You should watch out for these stores because they always inflate the price and give you a big discount so you feel like you are getting a great deal.
So how do you find a good price? The best thing to do is comparison shop on the internet. After comparison-shopping at least 3 internet jewelers, you will get a good idea of the lowest price you can find. Even if you don't feel comfortable buying jewelry on the internet, you can use the price to negotiate a better price at the jewelry store. Almost all Brick and Mortar jewelry stores are negotiable on price. Remember, most retailers mark-up their jewelry at minimum 100%, so if you are ready to purchase, they will definitely negotiate on price to make the sale. Just tell them the price that you found for the exact same item on the internet. You will probably not be able to get as low of a price as the internet, but if you want the peace of mind touching the jewelry and talking to a sales person, the higher price may be worth it.
How is jewelry so much cheaper on the internet?
The nation's largest jewelry chains have more than 2500 stores nation wide.
Multiply 2500 stores by the cost of rent, salespersons' commissions, advertising, and the cost of holding inventory. That's a huge expense.
In comparison, most of the largest internet jewelers are direct importers or wholesalers. This means they supply to 100's or 1000's of retailers in volume.
And an online jeweler only needs 1 distribution center to serve the entire US, with few sales persons. These cost savings result in lower prices for you.
Secret #2 Summary:
Average Retailer mark-up is 100% and higher High price tag doesn't always reflect true value
Trade Secret #2
The #3 trade secret that jewelry stores don't want you to know is that a diamond goes through an average of 8 middlemen and precious metal jewelry goes through an average of 4 middlemen before it is sold to the consumer. Every time jewelry goes through a middleman, a mark-up is added. For example, let's look at a 20 gram 14k figaro chain. The manufacture sells it to wholesaler 1 for $120. Wholesaler 1 sells it to smaller wholesaler 2 for $144. Wholesaler 2 may sell it to even smaller wholesaler 3 for $170. Wholesaler 3 sells it to a retailer for $200. Finally, the retailer sells it to the consumer for $400. By the time any jewelry reaches an end customer, the price is marked up several times. Now what if you could buy the chain directly from wholesaler 1? Even if the wholesaler marked up the chain 100% to $240, you would still save $160 off the retail price!
So why don't all wholesalers sell direct? Almost all wholesalers sell in large volumes and require a minimum order. So when Wholesaler 1 sells a 14k figaro chain for $144, they may sell 1000 at a time. The second reason is that wholesalers are not set up to deal with tens of thousands of customers. But the internet is changing the way business is done. Imagine a large national jewelry chain with 1000?s of stores. Not only do they buy from a wholesaler, they also have to distribute small parcels from their distribution center to each store. And since each store can only carry a limited inventory of each style, the selection is very limited.
Now say wholesaler 1, who specializes in 14k gold jewelry, decides to sell direct to the consumer through internet. Wholesaler 1's 14k inventory is greater than the combined inventory of 100's of retail jewelry stores across the nation, offers a greater selection, and eliminates multiple middlemen, which are all benefits for the consumer. This is exactly how established internet jewelry stores operate. It is almost impossible to find a retail jewelry store with as much selection as the largest internet jewelry stores. The main reason is retail stores have a common business practice: carry a little bit of everything. Most jewelry stores carry a limited selection of diamonds, gold jewelry, silver jewelry, white gold jewelry, and platinum, while wholesalers focus on carrying a great selection of one type of jewelry. So wholesaler 1 may sell only gold jewelry, wholesaler 2 may sell only earrings, and wholesaler 3 may sell only loose diamonds. With the low cost reach of internet, each of these wholesalers has the potential to sell direct to consumers all over the US with just one distribution center. Without the cost of distribution to 1000's of smaller resellers, the savings passed on to the consumer are substantial.
So remember, when purchasing jewelry, the more middlemen you cut out, the more money you will save. Although internet jewelry stores tend to cut out the most middlemen, even retail stores can cut out middlemen as well. If you decide to purchase your jewelry at a retail store, choose a store that has a large selection and inventory of the type of jewelry you want because these stores usually purchase from larger wholesalers than jewelry stores that sell a little bit of everything.
Trade Secret #3 Summary
* Many middlemen means multiple mark-ups
* Many internet jewelry stores are wholesalers that sell direct in large volumes, which means lower prices and more selection for you
* Retail stores that specialize in one type of jewelry and carry a large inventory usually cut out multiple middlemen, saving you money
So why don't all wholesalers sell direct? Almost all wholesalers sell in large volumes and require a minimum order. So when Wholesaler 1 sells a 14k figaro chain for $144, they may sell 1000 at a time. The second reason is that wholesalers are not set up to deal with tens of thousands of customers. But the internet is changing the way business is done. Imagine a large national jewelry chain with 1000?s of stores. Not only do they buy from a wholesaler, they also have to distribute small parcels from their distribution center to each store. And since each store can only carry a limited inventory of each style, the selection is very limited.
Now say wholesaler 1, who specializes in 14k gold jewelry, decides to sell direct to the consumer through internet. Wholesaler 1's 14k inventory is greater than the combined inventory of 100's of retail jewelry stores across the nation, offers a greater selection, and eliminates multiple middlemen, which are all benefits for the consumer. This is exactly how established internet jewelry stores operate. It is almost impossible to find a retail jewelry store with as much selection as the largest internet jewelry stores. The main reason is retail stores have a common business practice: carry a little bit of everything. Most jewelry stores carry a limited selection of diamonds, gold jewelry, silver jewelry, white gold jewelry, and platinum, while wholesalers focus on carrying a great selection of one type of jewelry. So wholesaler 1 may sell only gold jewelry, wholesaler 2 may sell only earrings, and wholesaler 3 may sell only loose diamonds. With the low cost reach of internet, each of these wholesalers has the potential to sell direct to consumers all over the US with just one distribution center. Without the cost of distribution to 1000's of smaller resellers, the savings passed on to the consumer are substantial.
So remember, when purchasing jewelry, the more middlemen you cut out, the more money you will save. Although internet jewelry stores tend to cut out the most middlemen, even retail stores can cut out middlemen as well. If you decide to purchase your jewelry at a retail store, choose a store that has a large selection and inventory of the type of jewelry you want because these stores usually purchase from larger wholesalers than jewelry stores that sell a little bit of everything.
Trade Secret #3 Summary
* Many middlemen means multiple mark-ups
* Many internet jewelry stores are wholesalers that sell direct in large volumes, which means lower prices and more selection for you
* Retail stores that specialize in one type of jewelry and carry a large inventory usually cut out multiple middlemen, saving you money
Trade Secret #3
3 Trade Secrets Jewelry Stores Don't Want You To Know.