Jewelry has always been fascinating popular database and is associated with the most unforgettable moments in a person's life, such as weddings and graduations. When composed of gold, the most beloved metal in jewelry, the pieces then achieved priceless item status.
On the market, it is possible to find accessories made with the most varied compositions, but, without a doubt, the most desired and appreciated by those who really understand refined pieces are those made in 18k gold.
Jewelry made from 18k gold has undeniable quality and a unique finish, which captures people's imagination. Which woman hasn't been madly enchanted by a ring made in 18k gold?
To help you better understand why 18k gold is unanimous among jewelry lovers, we will clarify all your doubts on this subject!
First of all, what is carat (k)?
Before we explain the reasons why 18k gold is so desired, it is necessary to understand what a carat is .
This term, so common in the world of jewelry, especially to indicate the quality of gold, is not entirely understood and few know its true meaning.
Carats are units of measurement that serve as indicators of the purity of gold . It is common to confuse carat, whose abbreviation is k, with carat - ct.
Despite having the same name, but with different abbreviations, they are different indicators. Carat (ct) is used to inform the weight of a diamond. The carat (k), used for pieces made with gold, determines the purity of the item.
To arrive at its description, consider the total weight of the gold divided by 24. Confused? Don't worry, we'll explain.
A carat of gold is its total weight divided into 24 parts. In these 24 division fractions, the composition of each portion is used to define the purity of the piece.
In other words, an 18k gold piece means that 18 carats of the piece, or about 75%, is made up of pure gold! The remaining 25% are made up of other metal alloys.
The carat is an international unit of measure for purity, which means that all jewelry stores in the world use it to inform their customers of the composition of the pieces, and it has been used since the medieval era.
What is the composition of 18k gold?
The compositions of 18k gold can vary according to the desired result for the piece, however, the most common materials are silver, copper and zinc.
Gold alloys, depending on the element used, produce different colors, which makes these materials even more differentiated and versatile, after all, the possibilities for creating the pieces are endless.
It is the metals used to compose 18k gold that determine characteristics such as color, shine and even the resistance of the jewelry .
It is almost impossible to identify all the shades that can be achieved with 18k gold, however, the most common ones found in jewelry are yellow gold, white gold and rose gold, made with silver, platinum and copper.
To achieve the desired color, high quality manufacturing is necessary to guarantee the correct composition of the metal alloys.
Why is 18k gold ideal for jewelry?
There are several reasons why 18k gold is ideal for creating jewelry. But before we list all its advantages, we need to explain why the total purity of gold is not the best choice .
Gold is the most desired precious metal in the world, used to make ornaments since ancient times. All this fascination and enchantment that gold causes makes accessories very coveted, however, pure gold is not suitable for making jewelry.
As it is a very malleable material, when not used with another associated metal, it becomes very soft and fragile, quickly damaging any piece through simple use.
Therefore, 18k gold is the most used in jewelry and the perfect composition for those looking for high-value and durable pieces.
Among the advantages of 18k gold, the main ones are:
Brightness: due to their high percentage of gold, 18k pieces have a different shine and color vibration;
Value: 18k gold, in addition to being the most desired, is considered an investment, as the value of the pieces is very high;
Resistance: the metal alloys used to form 18k gold make the pieces more resistant and long-lasting.
Added to this, people who are allergic to pieces made from other metals do not usually have a problem with 18k gold, as the possibility of having any reaction is minimal, due to its high degree of purity.
